For millions of party people, attending a multi-day outdoor music fest packed with performances by their favorite artists is a highlight of the year. For ages, that meant waiting for mega-events staged in the summer. In recent years, however, more Alpine ski resorts have begun to hold huge slope-side parties combining skiing, snowboarding and other winter fun with concerts by top-name acts and plenty of DJ music. The Alps provide a stunning backdrop for more than just rock concerts and massive raves, however. Some smaller resorts host programs peppered with indie artists, jazz musicians and folk music. With the latest snow reports calling ski conditions at present close to ideal, coupled with early spring’s longer hours of daylight, might it be time to get in on the action? Here’s a sampling of just some events helping to wind down the winter season.
Austria• Resort: Gastein Event: SNOW JAZZ Gastein 2016 Date: March 11-20 The 15th edition of this event focuses on musicians performing in trios. Jazz, blues, tango, chamber music and other genres will echo through hotels, ski lodges, and clubs. Tickets: Tickets to the various concerts can be booked online or bought at the door, barring sell-outs. For example, tickets to Mario Rom´s Interzone “Everything is Permitted” on March 19 at the Saegewerk in Bad Hofgastein go for 24 euros, or about $26.50, at the door, subject to availability. Website: www.gastein.com/de/snow-jazz-gastein
• Resort: Ischgl Event: Top of the Mountain Easter Concert Date: March 28 German chart-toppers Silvermond play songs from their new album at 7500 feet atop the Idalp from 1 p.m. Tickets: Entry to the concert is included with the purchase of a ski pass, which goes for approximately 46.50 euros. Website: www.http://tinyurl.com/j269ucv
• Resort: Nassfeld Event: Full Metal Mountain Date: March 28-April 3 The sounds of heavy metal ring out from top to bottom at this resort in Kaernten, with DJs rocking the peak, a mountain stage with live acts at 1600 meters, and apres ski and a main stage at the valley floor. Over 30 acts perform. Tickets: Admission comes in the form of purchase of an all-inclusive package including six night’s accommodation, festival ticket, lift ticket and free on-site shuttle. The cheapest packages available at the time of this writing go from 660 euros. Website: www.full-metal-mountain.com
• Resort: Mayrhofen Event: Snowbombing Date: April 4-9 This weeklong rave combines skiing and boarding by day with partying throughout the night, sometimes in cool venues such as igloos and forests. Amongst the headline acts this year include The Prodigy, Andy C., Bastille, Jamie Jones and Fatboy Slim. Oddly costumed young Brits looking to party hard make up much of the contingent here. Tickets: Day tickets are not available; a wristband allowing access to the majority of concerts and events is only available with purchase of an accommodation package. The lowest priced accommodation package found at the time of this writing cost 284 British Pounds, about $404. Website: www.snowbombing.com
• Resort: Giggijoch Event: Electric Mountain Festival Date: April 8-9 Top international DJs spin electric dance music throughout the afternoon at the resort’s nearly 7500 foot-high Fun Zone. Tickets: Ski pass holders enter for free; non-skiers can ride the gondola up and down for 15 euros. Website: www.electric-mountain-festival.com/en
• Resort: St. Anton in Arlberg Event: New Orleans Meets Snow Date: April 8-10 Description: St. Anton takes on a southern flair as the sound of funk and blues ripples across the slopes, through local bars and pubs, and across the village squares. This year’s star guest is Les Getrex, ex-guitarist of R&B legend Fats Domino, who performs with the Markus Linder Blues Band April 9. Tickets: Free entry Website: www.stantonamarlberg.com/de/events/new-orleans-meets-snow
• Resort: Obertauern Event: Fridge Festival Date: April 15-16 Snowboard and freeski competitions take place by day, while electronic and alternative music fills the nights. Guano Apes and Kool Savas are among the headline acts. Tickets: A weekend festival pass goes for 75 euros; April 15 only 39 euros; April 16 only 49 euros. Website: www.fridge-festival.at
• Resort: Ischgl Event: Top of the Mountain Concert Date: April 30 Each year a top act takes to the slopes to perform atop the Idalp’s mountaintop open air stage: this year’s artist is British rock band Muse. Tickets: a single-day ski pass allowing entry to the mountaintop arena costs 95 euros. Website: http://www.ischgl.com/en/events/top-events/muse-live%2521_topevent233067
France• Resort: Avoriaz Event: Snowboxx Date: March 13-19 Apres ski rolls into evening concerts and late night club parties in venues from tropical waterparks to igloos. Food stalls, karaoke cabins and a snowball fight arena round out the offerings. The center of the action is the village of Avoriaz, located within the Portes du Soleil ski area. Tickets: accommodation-inclusive packages are now sold out. A five-day Avoriaz ski pass with concert wristband goes for about $306; wristbands only are about $169. Entry to the Rock the Pistes concerts is free to Snowboxx pass holders. Website: www.snowboxx.com
• Resort: Portes du Soleil Event: Rock the Pistes Dates: March 13-19 On the slopes and in the many villages comprising the French/Swiss border crossing Portes du Soleil ski area, around 35 concerts are offered throughout the week. Five concerts by top acts take place directly on the slopes in daytime events kicking off with DJ sets from 11:30 a.m. Headliners include Izia, Lilly Wood & The Prick, Hubert Felix Thiefaine, Gotthard and Deluxe. Tickets: single-day ski and concert passes cost around 49.50 euros; a weeklong pass goes for 209 euros. Website: http://en.rockthepistes.com/
• Resort: Tignes Event: Live in Tignes by Francofolies Date: April 11-13 Fifteen artists on two outdoor stages can be enjoyed daily from 1 p.m. One stage is located in the heart of the resort, while the other is on the pistes. Tickets: non-skiers can use the Boisses gondola for free daily from 2 p.m.; those arriving with their ski gear must purchase a ski pass. Website: http://tinyurl.com/h3oxozn
Italy• Resort: Seiser Alm Event: Swing on Snow Dates: March 20-27 On the slopes and in the huts of the Alpe di Siusi, the sounds of traditional folk music mixed with jazz, soul, pop and classical music ring out. Eight musical duos and ensembles play the slopes in the morning, the mountain huts at lunchtime, and the villages of Castelrotto, Siusi, Fie and Tires in the evening. Tickets: entry to performances is free. Website: www.musicsummit.ch
Switzerland• Resort: St. Moritz Event: Music Summit Dates: March 16-20 Over 30 top DJs play today’s top electronic and dance music on the slopes, in the village itself, and in its clubs and bars. The Music Summit partners with and runs parallel to the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals. Tickets: Tickets for each day’s performances are sold separately: March 16 and 17 day tickets for access to all parties and clubs cost 41.20 Swiss Francs, about $41.40; March 18 and 19 cost 81.90 Swiss Francs. Combi-tickets allowing access to the FIS Ski World Cup cost more. Website: http://www.steffani.ch/en/16-marz-st-moritz-music-summit/
• Resort: Zermatt Event: Zermatt Unplugged Dates: April 5-9 This multi-faceted event features both big names and a platform for promising newcomers. The unplugged format of the shows promises a more intimate experience. While tickets to some of the top acts including James Morrison and Simple Minds are now sold out, the New Talent Stages, with the exception of the Foyer Marquee, offer free admission. Tickets: tickets to individual events are available on the event website. Purchase of a package inclusive of festival pass and accommodation might ensure you entry to an otherwise sold-out show. Website: www.zermatt-unplugged.ch
