Feeling like there was always a little something missing on your skiing holiday? Your future winter holiday plans can be changed forever with this countdown of the best ski festivals worldwide! Whether its gigs that get your feet moving or laughs that will make you fall off your chair, this guide is everything you need to open your eyes to the snow-sporting world.
Date: 2-7 April 2019
Location: Chamonix, France
Line-up: Stephan Bodzin, Agents of Time, Jeff Mills, Adriatic & more TBA
Expect five days packed out with all the latest electronic music with stages set-up in front of some jaw-dropping views. Plus, next year will see the fifth consecutive year of Chamonix Unlimited so we are sure this line-up of DJs and their planned events will make it a festival to remember!
Date: 17-24 March 2019
Location: Alpe di Siusi, Italy
Line-up: Neoländler, Landstreich, Seltsame Senfsamen & more
For those of you who prefer music with more of a mellow feel as apposed to techno and dubstep, Swing On The Snow might be your match. This festival showcases a mix of traditional folk music with jazz, soul, pop and classical music. As well as being a ‘Green Event’ meaning it focuses around themes of achieving environmental sustainability, the added bonus is that the concerts are free of charge! Therefore, the only thing you have to worry about is getting yourself on the slopes!
Swing On The Snow, Italy
Date: 11-14 April 2019
Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Line-up: TBA but previous acts include: Amir Javasoul, Andrey Pushkarev, Adam Beyer and Andre Galluzzi.
With music acts running from midday until 5am, there is never a dull….or quiet moment at Caprices Festival. Known by many in the underground techno scene, this top of the slopes festival has repeatedly welcomed regulars such as Jamie Jones and Sven Väth. You should not be disappointed by the line-up which is still to be announced.
Date: 31 January-11 February 2019
Location: Sapporo, Japan
Line-up: Snow and ice sculptures, snow slides & snow rafting
Every winter, around two million people gather at this festival to adorn at the impressive winter themed entertainment. Spread across three sites you will never find yourself bored of your surroundings. With the option of gazing at the impressive 200+ snow and ice sculptures or rafting down large snow slides in rubber dinghy’s, all of the activities are bound to get you into the wintery spirit. Our top tip? Head to the Sapporo TV Tower to gain a bird’s eye view of all the action.
Sapporo Festival, Japan
Date: 17-23 March 2019
Location: Les Portes Du Soleil, France
Line-up: Hyphen Hyphen, Ofenbach, Charlie Winston & more TBA
Cramming an incredible 35 concerts into this one week, Rock The Pistes is complete with open-air stages placed on the slopes, only accessible by ski and apres-ski events every night in the resort towns. All of this is included in your lift pass so all you need is to purchase your pass at the ticket windows and you’re up, up and away on those ski lifts.
Date: 9-13 April 2019
Location: Zermatt, Switzerland
Line-up: Jessie J, Passenger, Francis Cabrel & more TBA
With only a small portion of the line-up being announced so far, past years have seen huge international artists such as Simple Minds, Nelly Furtado and Lionel Richie. Their small stages are guaranteed to offer you an intimate and memorable experience. If food stalls are top of your agenda when it comes to festivals then you will live at their ‘Taste Village’. The delicious stands which circle around one of their music stages will ensure you don’t miss out on either an eating or dancing event.
Zermatt Unplugged Festival, Switzerland
Date: February 2019
Location: Scottish Highlands near Inverness.
Line-up: TBA but previous acts include: Example & DJ Wire, Basement Jaxx, 2manydjs, Blonde & more
The first and only UK based snowsports festival, making it not too far to travel for you UK party goers. For those who only enjoy the sociable side of Ski festivals compared to the agility and sport side, Groove Cairngorm also offer music only/apres-ski tickets. Where do we sign up?
Date: 20-23 June 2019
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
Line-up: TBA but previous acts include: Killer Seas, LEISURE, Sweet Mix Kids and Holly Arrowsmith
A ski festival which prides itself on patriotism, this festival is all about this beautiful New Zealand town! Best said by the event itself, ‘We are by Queenstowners, for Queenstowners and we showcase Queenstown’. An experience which every New Zealander puts on their bucket list, they host entertainment on the mountains, on(and in) water. Plus, there really is no excuse to not go with it being totally FREE!
Queenstown Festival, New Zealand
Date: 1-7 April 2019
Location: Mayrhofen, Austria
Line-up: TBA but previous includes: Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle and Kevin Bridges
Slopes all day – laughs all night! If music festivals aren’t your thing and you’re more into belly laughs, Altitude is your go-to ski festival. Performing over 6 nights you’re guaranteed to see some of the world’s biggest comedians during your apres-ski
Date: 31 March-7 April 2019
Location: Laax, Switzerland
Line-up: TBA but previous acts include: Pendulum, The Correspondents, Ben Howard and Rob Da Bank.
After a ski festival which mixes both snowsports competitions with live bands and the hottest DJs? The Brits is your answer! You’ll be able to watch some of the world’s greatest talent in a host of British Championships resulting in a weeklong festival of sports and music. What better than an après ski that offers some of the finest music moguls and the chance to party alongside some elite ski champions?
Date: 8-17 February
Location: Quebec City, Canada
Line-up: TBA but previous events include: Night parade, canoe race, ice sculpture workshops.
The largest winter festival in the world, Carnaval de Quebec is perfect for all of the family! You can get fully stuck in and take part in competitions such as canoeing and sleigh racing. However, if you’re after a little less physical activity you can enjoy its most wowed spectacle, the daily night parade or theatrical shows! A real feast for the eyes and imagination, Carnaval de Quebec is a real life winter wonderland!
Carnaval de Quebec, Canada
Date: 15-22 December 2019
Location: Les Deux Alpes, France
Line-up: Annie Mac, Sonny Fodera, Camelphat, David Rodigan & more
Approaching its fifth year, Rise Festival is a six day snow, music, adventure and wellbeing festival. From snowmobiling and paragliding to glitter challenges and cheese tasting there is something for everyone at this renowned ski festival.
Date: 23-30 March 2019
Location: Avoriaz, France
Line-up: Craig David TS5, Rudimental, Jax Jones, Wilkinson, Danny Howard & more
Located on the highest ski resort in the Franco-Swiss region and spanning across 400 miles, Snowboxx is a spectacle not to miss. Imagine a snowsports holiday and music festival combined, there really is something for everyone here. If this wasn’t enough, you can get stuck into snowball fights, karaoke and zorbing!
Date: 9-16 March 2019
Location: Alpe d’Huez, France
Line-up: Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki & more
More popularly known for the Summer version, Tomorrowland Winter is hitting the ski slopes for its first year in 2019. Although we have no previous years to review this winter festival on, if its summer festival is anything to go by, it’s going to be unforgettable! With the line-up already filled with legendary dance-anthem DJs, it seems this festival will be the one not to miss!
Date: 8-13 April 2019
Location: Mayrhofen, Austria
Line-up: Stormzy, The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Andy C, Groove Armada, Redlight & more
With 2019 marking 20 years in the festival game you can expect a big show at Snowbmbing. From igloo raves to Austria’s largest fancy dress street party it is not famed for being low-key with The Times calling it, ‘The Glasto of the Alps’. From grime to dance music, you will not be disappointed.
Snowbombing Festival, Austria
