Once again, the biggest ski resorts in the Alps will celebrate the start and end of ski season with a host of music festivals, parties and other events. If you haven't planned your ski holidays yet, why not consider signing up for one of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences? Below is a list of the most popular events this ski season.
November 8-10: WOW Glacier Love
The skiing powerhouses of Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun, Zell am See and Kaprun are teaming up to bring you three days of music and skiing on Austrian slopes. WOW Glacier Love boasts outdoor concerts in the snow park and festival main stage, afterparties galore, a freestyle contest and free testing of ski and snowboard gear... Plus, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier opens for skiing early in the season due to the high-altitude slopes so this is a fantastic way to ring in the ski season!
November 28: Ischgl season opening and Top of the Mountain concert
The Austrian ski resort of Ischgl opens for the season on November 28, 2019. Withalmost 250km of slopes and two new lifts with heated seats, it's no wonder Ischgl is a favourite with skiers and snowboarders. Two days later, on November 30th, Ischgl will hold one of its legendary Top of the Mountain concerts. These concerts are an alpine staple - past artists include Lenny Kravitz, James Blunt and other international superstars and this year Ischgl will host the concert with SEEED, one of Berlin's most popular cult bands.
November 21-24: Gurgl season opening with Snowplaza
This year for the first time, Snowplaza will co-host the ski season opening at Gurgl, in Tyrol! Come join us for a four-day party including parties on the slopes, testing out the latest ski and snowboard equipment, and all sorts of fun activities. Packages start from just €299 including accommodation, ski pass, and entry to parties and activities.
December 6-8: BERGFESTival
For the seventh year running, Saalbach will host its popular BERGFESTival to mark the start of ski season in the enormous linked ski area of the Skicircus. Featuring a long list of musical artists that will perform on spectacular outdoor stages, you won't want to miss this event.
January
January 21-26: Hahnenkamm races
The legendary Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel are one of the most important stops on the ski racing circuit. Watch the world's best skiers compete on the notorious Streif downhill, one of the steepest ski slopes in the world which sees skiers reach dizzying speeds!
March 14-21: Tomorrowland Winter at Alpe d'Huez
Back by popular demand is Tomorrowland Winter, the chillier version of the legendary Belgian EDM festival. Once again, Alpe d'Huez will welcome some of the biggest bands to the stage in a mythical week-long celebration of music and winter, our two favourite things! Known as the "Island in the Sun" for its 250km of sunny slopes, there is no better place to celebrate Tomorrowland Winter than at Alpe d'Huez.
March 14-21: European Snow Pride
Meanwhile, over in Tignes, the slopes will take on a rainbow hue for European Snow Pride, self-proclaimed biggest gay ski week in Europe. Get the cocktails flowing during the numerous après-ski and after-hours parties, or hit up one of the numerous themed parties like the Rodeo Party, Pop Party or Pool Party. And be sure not to miss the Fashion Faux Pas party. European Snow Pride is the gay event of the season!
March 24-26: FestiVal Tho
The highest ski resort in Europe will live up to its name for the FestiVal Tho, a free electro festival which combines Electro, House, Techno, Trance and other styles. Over three days, skiers and snowboarders will flood the slopes to enjoy top-notch skiing and first-class beats. As part of the Trois Vallées linked ski area, Val Thorens offers virtually unlimited skiing.
April 2-3: Electric Mountain Festival
The so-called Hot Spot in the Alps will close the 2019-20 ski season with the annual Electric Mountain Festival. On April 2-3, 2020, Sölden-Hochsölden's slopes will come alive with the sound of electronic dance music, with free admission to concerts for everyone who has a lift pass. Nestled in the Ötztal valley in Tyrol, Austria, Sölden is a long-time favourite with Brits and you're sure to have a blast at this party!
April 13-18: Snowbombing
One of the most established music festivals in the Alps is Snowbombing, held annually at Mayrhofen. This year, the self-proclaimed World's Greatest Show on Snow will light up the night with live bands performing in forest parties, mountain stages and igloo raves, not to mention a plethora of silly activities on the slopes. It's impossible to get bored at Snowbombing - there's something for everybody!
April 14-18: Zermatt Unplugged
Take it down a notch at Zermatt Unplugged, a classy acoustic music festival that combines the best of spring skiing with some of the world's greatest artists, unplugged. Kick back with a drink on a mountain terrace and just soak up the rays, or tuck into some world-class cuisine from a famous chef. All of this, of course, in the sophisticated ski resort of Zermatt under the watchful eye of the mighty Matterhorn.
Check out this year's ski season opening dates >
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
