25 best mountain festivals – The most epic skiing & snowboard experience
The 25 best and most awesome winter, mountain, snowy festivals in the Alps. Let's dive in and plan our adventure.
Whether you love to mix skiing, apres and music or perhaps you like the apres more than the skiing, these festivals are insanely fun. Bringing people together and with the mountains as a back drop and music blaring, ski shots a go go, you cant miss out on these experiences.
Take a spoon full of the mountains, add in a cup of Snow, a pinch on music, drip in some apres ski vibes, shake shake shake and guess what. . . . you have a really corny kitchen analogy to let you know this article is going to become your new bucket list. So dust off your “My Goals For The Year” notebook, cross out the 1. Go back to the gym, 2.Invest my 10$ saves 3. Eat less. Who cares, you don’t need to worry about those things, 1. Meh, 2, #Millennial 3, Er No – and then write this article down but claim the ideas for your own when you set up a group chat later.
Inspiration for trending ski festival style
Are you planning to add a bit of flair to your mountain adventures and want to turn heads on the slopes? Then it's high time you update your skiing wardrobe with the latest trends. This season, the focus is on the functional yet stylish ski coats and ski pants combo. These essential gear pieces don’t just offer comfort and warmth, but with the latest designs and fits, you'll definitely impress your mates during the next snow season!
France
Rise Festival, Les 2 Alpes
Rise Festival takes place at the most perfect time of year! Just before Christmas, you can head to the mountains for the time of your life. Les 2 Alps is the most rad mountain for a festival like Rise that beacons ski and snowboard lovers as well as music lovers as the mountain is tailor made for all levels. From the pros who want to ride all day and saunter on in to the apres ski and afternoon performances, all the way to the mountain newbies, looking to show off the latest trends and dance the night away.
About the music, Rise had this to say, “From grammy nominated and multi-platinum award winning talent to undiscovered upcoming artist, from parties in secret log cabins, to outdoor stages and alpine venue transformations. In its 6th year, Rise Festival brings music and party to the mountains like no other.”
Truly adventure awaits in les 2 Alps.
Fresh Mountain Festival, Les Orres
From Zrce beach to the Alps, Europe’s hottest urban hip hop festival is here to give you best of both seasons. Bringing artists such as Chris Brown, Sean Paul, Rae Sremmurd, Nas and many others to the prime summer location in Croatia, Fresh Island founders decided to create something for every season, bringing you their new winter project Fresh Mountain Festival located in Les Orres, France.
I mean, are you ready for a week for madness, music and mountains? YES, we definitely are. Fresh Festival is the perfect balance for those who still want to ride, make the most of the wonderful riding in Les Orres matched with next level apres ski, performances, friends, dancing and culture.
Grab your mates and head to the hill! See you there.
Tomorrowland Winter, Alpe d'Huez
There is a myth about an uncommon flower, Carrying the true essence of Winter, So powerful it had to be protected from mankind, Once this lotus blossoms it releases thousands of frozen crystals, Guided by their desire to unlock the beauty of winter, In 2019 on a location high in the French mountains a new tale in the history of Tomorrowland will be written:
“The hymn of the frozen lotus”.
Oh dang- If this declaration by the good people at Tomorrowland is anything to go by then we are in for a delight for the sences. Taking all the magic and wonder of Tomorrowland, adding snow and a sense of ethereal mystique, you have exactly what Tomorrowland is representing. With world renowned artists, performances that transcend the confines of normality and all the wanderlust vibes of the original Tomorrowland, this will be unmissable.
The Ronnie Loves Music Festival, Méribel
Kick-ass music every day of the week from some of the best bands and DJ’s in the Alps, great promos, and the legendary toffee vodka ensure that every night is one to remember… Throw in some amazing outdoor events as the days lengthen with big name DJs on the terrace, demos on the doorstep from the DC snowboard team and you get the idea!
The Ronnie is so awesome every damn day of the week throughout the season it’s hard then to see how they could top it. But basically elevate the level of epic of the daily apres and amplify it by ten and then you get close to The Ronnie Loves Music Festival. It’s everything you want from a truly alpine experience and more.
Rock The Pistes, Portes du Soleil
Rock the Pistes packs a whopping 35 concerts into one week, with open-air concerts right on the slopes that are only accessible by ski, and après-ski concerts every evening in the resort villages.
Your Portes du Soleil hands-free ski pass is all you need to access this unique ski & music festival. The ski pass can be purchased at the ski lift company ticket windows in any one of the 12 Portes du Soleil resorts. This means the festival is approachable and fun, easy and convenient. Let's rock the piste together this year!
“Rock the Pistes is a unique sensory experience, where pure snow + pure mountain views + pure sound = 100% pure pleasure!”
Snowboxx, Avoriaz
Snowboxx is a huge name in the music festival scene. Snowboxx holds up against massive names as a hub for culture, unity and music. The fact that its set against the insane background of Avoriaz, France adds to the experience even more. Avoriaz is an awesome resort for skiing and snowboarding for all levels not to mention the electric atmosphere.
Witnessing mind-blowing artists in the most unique snow-covered venues is an experience you will never forget. Past guests include Fatboy Slim, Stormzy, Chase & Status (DJ), Basement Jaxx, Loyle Carner, Bicep, 2 Many DJs, Mike Skinner, Grand Master Flash and many more. 2019 is set to be the biggest lineup to date!
“A stunning resort in the French Alps featuring the world’s largest ski area, an impressive open-air arena by the slopes hosting huge DJs and live acts, legendary Après parties and a smorgasbord of fun-fuelled activities make Snowboxx the best winter festival of all time. One epic week in the mountains at an unbeatable price!”
Chamonix Unlimited Festival, Chamonix
To say Chamonix is a truly stunning place is an understatement. Chamonix is a landscape that is blessed with natural ore and is full of imagination and excitement. This idea really plays into the Chamonix Unlimited concept. Where the beauty of the mountains meet effortless French style, music and culture.
2019 promises to be as mesmerising that any of the years gone past. Where a desire to explore the mountain and ride the most incredible lines, meets the music of different genres. The perfect festival for those who like to ride hard and party harder.
Will you join us?
Live in Tignes by Francofolies, Tignes
Live in Tignes by Francofolies is everything you could want from a slope side festival and more. Set in Tignes a world-renowned resort for its simply magnificent skiing and snowboarding, the terrain is so varied and exciting plus, the apres ski is next level.
Tignes is home to seasonnaires and holidaymakers for the full (super long) glacier season so come April, everyone is ready to let their hair down and enjoy some amazing performances. 2 stages, one on the piste and another down in the town, performances all day along from some of the best artists coming outta France that we WISH we knew about before but stoked to learn about thanks to Live in Tignes by Francofolies. Bring your dancing ski boots and get ready!
Musilac Mont Blanc, Chamonix
In summer 2017, the Musilac Festival, which takes place on the shores of Lake Bourget, Aix-les-Bains, was celebrating its 15th birthday!
As Rhône-Alpes’ n°1 music event reaches the age of reason, so its co-founders Rémi Perrier and Roland Zennara, are delighted to announce the launch of Musilac Rock and ride … in the mountains!
And what a mountain… because it’s in Chamonix Mont-Blanc – a legendary destination if ever there was one – that this new pop-rock festival will host around fifteen bands, including three headline artists. The festival will take place in the Bois du Bouchet, best known for its paragliding landing site, with a capacity to welcome 15,000 spectators each evening. Come April, as the Winter season begins to wind down, spectators can enjoy the spring conditions, the mountain vibe and sensational performances all rolled into one!
Austria
Snowbombing, Mayrhofen
“We’ve created life long memories in the alps, skidoo’ed and cut shapes with the world’s most amazing acts and had more milestone moments than you can shake a ski pole at! But we couldn’t have done it without you! To you our steadfast Snowbombing troopers – you put the Snowbomber in Snowbombing, the heat in the ‘Hof, and we’re counting on you to make this the strongest, sturdiest, downright silliest year yet! Join us in celebrating our 20th birthday this April.”
It’s dancing on the piste on the side of a mountain that truly makes Snowbombing Snowbombing. Go for the big one at the Snow Park Terrace, get stuck into fun and games on the Mountain Stage or simply sit back and relax with a drink and breathe it all in… Piste perfection is guaranteed. With so many different stages and huge performances, snowbombing is the perfect way to enjoy spring in the mountains.
Top of the Mountain, Ischgl
There is an air of mystery for us about Top of the Mountain festival. We can’t profess to know much. We discovered this festival online and since then we have been hooked on the idea. We don’t know the date for 2019 exactly, we don’t know what DJs will be there and we can even send you to a dedicated webpage but what we can say from all the research is that this looks like one hell of a party.
From what can only be described as a raucous on the piste to a all night rave in the streets on Ischgl, Top of the Mountain looks like one extended apres ski but if apres ski went super extra. Music, lights, dancing, insanity, drinks and lots of smiles. At the end of the season, if you find yourself craving some spring slashes, freshies or just bobbing about on the piste only to finish the day off which a heck of a festa, then Top of the Mountain is for you!
BERGFESTival, Saalbach
Welcome to the first official Winterfestival! The team behind BERGFESTival couldn’t wait for the summer festival season to start so they thought, why not start something with the summer festival vibe but set in this wonderful landscape? Nostalgia and winter boredom let the idea grow and they are happy to get you out of your cozy living rooms with BERGFESTival! 2 days and 2 nights packed with festival feeling will be spent in snowy Saalbach Hinterglemm.
A whole village in state of emergency! A festival goes hand in hand with the fact of being open air and the BERFESTival pulls that off uncompromisingly. Whether on the 2.000-meter-high Schattenberggipfel or at the Mainstage in the village center, we’ll be rocking shirtless. It’s done with two outdoor stages – the “Stadl” and 2 quaint clubs add up to the diversity of the BERGFESTival. What a ride.
Rave on Snow, Saalbach
Rave On The Piste are celebrating 25 years of music and raving! What an achievement, bringing smiles and experiences to people from the beautiful mountain town of Saalbach, Austria. Saalbach is also home to BergFESTival which means this town certainly is a prime spot for apres and incredible experiences.
“Time to pat ourselves on our shoulders, dance, toast and celebrate our birthday. Thank you for countless, great and unforgettable moments. For 25 years of festival history, which we finally wrote together. We love you and look forward to an exciting next chapter and a terrific birthday party. Rave on!”
Switzerland
Zermatt Unplugged, Zermatt
Zermatt Unplugged is a truly unbridled experience. There is no mountain quite as iconic as the matterhorn, its watchful eye adorning the village of Zermatt, the views and spectacular. In the shadow of the Matterhorn or Mount Chervin, people form all over the world gather to experience Zermatt Unplugged. Performers from all over Europe and beyond, food, enlightenment and the kindness and friendly nature of the locals combine for a once in a life time experience.
We got real deep and meaningful there but Zermatt really is as amazing as we say it is. Its also classy and refined AF so you can live the high life, treat yourself and enjoy not only the music but also the skiing, Damn, the skiing, how could be not mention Zermatt’s simply excellent terrain.
The Brits, Laax
The Brits, not to be confused with “The Brits” the award ceremony, who cares about that, no we are talking about The Brits comp. The Brits put sport at the forefront and the music and entertainment comes next. This way round works awesomely as well.
The Brits is mainly a competition in slope style, big air, features and racing for British riders but in the true British style, The Brits brings with it an unmissable party with local DJs, dancing, Apres and all the basic constitutions of an epic mountain side festival. Bringing an already awesome town to life, Laax becomes the home of athletic prowess and epic party for a few days every year!
Caprices Festival, Crans-Montana
Caprices is a four-day festival that takes place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on three different stages positioned on both the top and bottom of the slopes. This is set to be a tremendous electronic line up against the backdrop of a strikingly beautiful Alpine setting that promises to be a unique experience.
Spring breathes life into the town, when the sun is shining, the opens the area up to both non skiers and music lovers with those who love the mountain and the activities found there. This means anyone and everyone can enjoy Caprices and this totally vibey festival.
Polaris, Verbier
Electronic music finds its home in the snow capped mountains of Verbier every year and we are mighty glad it did. The two go hand in hand right? Excellent base beats with high energy overtones with the mighty awe-inspiring wonder of the mountains around Verbier, a match made in Heaven.
Polaris is a festival for all, for mountain lover and music lovers, with Verbier being so accessible and convenient whether you are donning the ski boots or not. For the non skiers, you will find Verbier just as warm and welcoming, you still get a slice of mountain culture with the food and atmosphere in the Swiss alps. For the skiers, man, you are in for a treat with the freeride zones in Verbier, the varied terrain and excitement and general buzz on the hill, Polaris is unmissable.
Bulgaria
Meadows In The Mountains, Rhodope Mountains
Okay okay, We know this isn’t a Winter festival but its still in the mountains so it still counts, get off my case. But not only that, Meadows In The Mountains is a next level sensation that we simply couldn’t, not mention. Does that made sense? Double negative!
Enjoy the diverse musical offering split across four stages each with their own distinct feel, It’s easy to catch something new on the main stage before getting lost in The Woods or praise the bass down on the temple stage before experiencing The Sunrise while situated way above the clouds.
“Our mountain is like no other festival in the world. ‘Where the land touches the sky and the sun cuddles nature’ The monastery bell chimes to the 8th chapter of Meadows In The Mountains”.
Italy
Mandrea Music Festival, Lake Garda
Okay fine, I know this one isn’t Winter either but as a pre-warning, you better strap yourselves in as we snook a few Summer Mountain festivals into the mix. Just a few of the best that combine nature, sport and music and Mandrea Music Festival is one.
From the foothills of the Italian Alps, on Lake Garda, preparations for Mandrea 2019 are well underway and it looks like the 8th edition is going to be amazing, once again! Set in a beautiful hidden valley at the foothills of the Dolomites above Lake Garda – Italy Mandrea Music Festival brings you great music from around the world! From the likes of original Jamaican reggae, pumping African beats and the most vibrant performers from the UK festival scene.
The North Face Mountain Festival, Trentino
Leave normal behind for an unforgettable weekend of discovery and adventure. Make the most of nature’s playground by climbing, hiking, and running breathtaking alpine trails. Learn new skills, from adventure photography to cooking up a wilderness feast, while enjoying a deep sense of community and belonging with like-minded explorers. Its a weekend full of activity, music, and events that will leave your muscles tired, your spirits high, and your heart content.
There has never been a more eclectic mix of nature, music and sport, a chance to connect with the landscape. A focus on health and wellness is at the forefront, perhaps you can enjoy this festival as a detox from the more raucous affairs earlier in the winter. Yet still enjoying the culture and music but in more vibrant yet relaxed setting.
No Borders Music Festival, Dolomites
“Valuing, since the first edition, music as a cultural form and a means of communication able to be understood from all over the ethnic, linguistic, social and geographical boundaries in a truly unique area, that of the boarders between Italy, Austria and Slovenia.”
Broaden your mind, horizons, open your mind and heart, you spirit and soul to the possibilities of the mountains and this incredible area. Really get in touch with your inner peace and join like minded people celebrating culture, diversity and nature. No Boarder has boasted some absolutely fantastic performances over the years and we cannot wait to see what 2019 brings.
Spain
Sun & Snow Festival, Sierra Nevada
Sun & Snow Festival is presented as a perfect combination of adventure, sport, music and the experience of living the festival at the highest altitude of the Iberian Peninsula, directly on the peaks of the magical Sierra Nevada, a location that requires a strong commitment to the environment, as we are before one of the largest national parks in Spain.
One of the main pillars on which Sun & Snow Festival is based, is the musical programming. Always going one step further by offering emerging performances that will be the ones that shine more strongly in the coming years without forgetting the big names of the panorama, house, techno, deep-house and independent of the moment.
Andorra
Hibernation Festival, Pas De La Casa
If one word could describe the Hibernation festival, it would be Adventure!
A human adventure above all, the story of five friends, lovers of electronic music for years, who met in Andorra, in the mountains, to build a festival that looks like them! Come to the Hibernation festival and discover the special atmosphere that reigns, it’s also a unique adventure. Imagine yourself, at + 2000m above sea level, skiing with friends in Grandvalira, the largest ski area in the Pyrenees, and dancing with the best artists of the current techno scene.
The Festival is divided into different stages, all of them are situated in the same location: Pas de la Casa. Pas Del La Casa is the home of party, apres and amazing times with friends in Andorra so we know this festival is going to be simply unmissable!
Horizon, Arinsal
What an enigma, we heard that Horizon festival was insane in 2017 and we knew we had to mention it in this list but we are not sure when or where the next one will be held.
The images and the after movie are really captivating and we sincerely hope to hear more from the organizers soon, we will keep you posted as this festival in the mountains of Andorra was set to be next level. The music, the mountains, the vibe!- Amazing.
FAQs
What kind of music can I expect at these mountain festivals?
The diversity in music is part of what makes these festivals so exceptional. You can expect a mix of everything from Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum award-winning talent to undiscovered upcoming artists, covering genres from rock to hip hop and electronic music.
Can I attend these mountain festivals without skiing or snowboarding experience?
Absolutely! These festivals cater to all, from pro skiers and snowboarders to mountain newbies. Apart from winter sports, the festivals offer an array of activities including music performances, apres ski parties, and opportunities to showcase the latest fashion trends in outdoor winter gear.
So that brings us to the end of our list and we are so stoked now to make 2019 THE year of the mountain festival. There literally is no better place in our eyes to have the biggest and best party as skiers and mountain lovers already know how to have fun in the best way possible, you can see that by the amazing apres ski parties happening every day all through winter. From France to Andorra and all through Western and Southern Europe we have all these events, effectively on European doorstep it seems crazy we wouldn’t take advantage. So we want to hear from you. Are you heading to any fo these festivals in 2019? Take some images wearing your DOPE and Ridestore gear as we would LOVE to see. Can you spot Dope and Ridestore in some of the movies above? We can too!
Leave a comment, like and share, let us know what you think!
Until next time. . . . .
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