Just because there’s no Glastonbury Festival in 2018 doesn’t mean that you have to go without your yearly music festival fix. The snow festivals of the Alps are an important and exciting part of the yearly après ski calendar – and if you’ve never been to a music festival in the mountains before, this winter is a great time to go.
With incredible headliners, stunning locations, mad crowds and, of course, amazing skiing and snowboarding – snow festivals are definitely the best way to experience live music. And there are now more music festivals in the mountains than ever before. Here we highlight just a selection of our favourite snow festivals taking place in Winter 17/18 – which one will you visit?
Polaris
Where: Verbier, Switzerland
When: 7 – 10 December 2017
Headliner: Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers
Kicking off the ski music festival season is Polaris in Verbier with an eclectic line-up of house and electro music. Musicians from across the world will descend on Verbier to perform amid spectacular scenery.
The main stage – ‘Le Mouton Noir’ is situated 2,200m above sea level, and lift access to the stage is covered in the cost of your ticket. In addition to the main stage, there are five more stages dotted around the ski resort and offering free live music. This is a fantastic snow festival and a great way to start the ski season.
Rise Festival
Where: Les 2 Alpes, France
When: 16 – 23 December 2017
Headliner: Craig David presents TS5
Website: risefestival.co.uk
Rise Festival brands itself as a ‘Party on Top of the World’ – and they’re not wrong! With fantastic glacier skiing and an epic freestyle park to keep you entertained during the day, and an exciting line-up of EDM and live artists performing in Rise Festival’s high altitude arenas at night, this is one party you won’t want to miss! This festival focuses on electronic and dance music and attracts a range of influential, international performers. We’re especially excited for Bicep, as well as the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club.
Adding to the excitement are the many invite-only adventure parties hosted in secret locations in the mountains. Imagine partying beside a roaring fire in the Alpine wilderness – definitely a unique experience not to miss.
Find out more about Les 2 Alpes >
Snowboxx
When: 17 – 24 March 2018
Headliners: Fat Boy Slim, Chase and Status
Website: www.snowboxx.com
A hugely popular snow festival in the Alps, Snowboxx is now into its fifth year and it continues to grow its reputation, attracting huge, international artists and vast crowds alike. Crowd-pleasing names such as Fat Boy Slim and Chase and Status are the stand-out performers at this year’s festival and an eclectic range of EDM acts compliment this year’s exciting line-up.
The stunning resort of Avoriaz provides an epic backdrop to the wild partying. Avoriaz has an incredible range of snow parks, including the renowned Burton Stash, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this winter. Visitors to Avoriaz during Snowboxx will also receive two festivals for the price of one. Rock the Pistes hosts on slope concerts free for anyone with a local lift pass.
As well as epic music and amazing skiing and snowboarding, visitors to Snowboxx can take part in many exciting activities including Human Bowling, snowball fight tournaments, and pond skimming. You’d struggle to find a more exciting event this winter.
Snowbombing
When: 9 – 14 April 2018
Headliners: Liam Gallagher, Pendulum, Dizzee Rascal
Website: snowbombing.com
Snowbombing is the event that kicked off the snow festival movement. Established in 2000, Snowbombing has been a tent pole fixture of the après ski calendar ever since. This year the event is bringing some truly huge names to the Alps, including Liam Gallagher, Pendulum, Craig David and Rudimental.
On top of an outstanding line-up there are a ton of entertaining activities going on in and around Mayrhofen. From igloo raves and forest parties, to ‘cable car-aoke’ and chairlift speed dating, if you can’t find an activity to keep you entertained we’d be very surprised.
Find out more about Mayrhofen >
Zermatt Unplugged
Where: Zermatt, Switzerland
When: 10 – 14 April 2018
Headliners: TBA
Website: zermatt-unplugged.ch
The program line-up for this charming festival in Switzerland is expected to be announced on 11 December. Previous years have seen the likes of Nelly Furtado, Simple Minds, Paulo Nutini and Lionel Richie performing – so we’re expecting an exciting line-up of top names from the world of pop music.
With beautiful mountain scenery, including stunning views of the iconic Matterhorn from the main stage, Zermatt Unplugged has a unique location for an intimate music festival. Zermatt is home to excellent, high altitude skiing, making it the perfect destination for an end of season ski holiday and music festival.