Ski season is well underway but it's never too late to plan a last-minute trip to the continent! From music festivals to international skiing and snowboarding competitions to traditional carnivals, there are still plenty of events to check out before the snow starts to melt in the mountains this spring. Snowplaza has done some digging to find those most worthy of your time and money... So, without further ado, if your calendar isn't full yet, here are some of the most exciting parties, competitions and festivals going down in the Alps this year.
Follow alpine skiing at its best in the 50th annual FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, the gold standard for skiers worldwide. The alpine ski finals will be in mid-March; until then, you can catch the world’s best and brightest at resorts in Europe, North America and Asia.
When: Now until March 19
Where: Various ski resorts around the world
Catch displays by France, Austria or Belgium at the 15th edition of this fireworks competition, which brings together the world's best and brightest fire artists.
When: February 9-March 2
Where: Courcheval, France
Watch the most spectacular cricket match in the world take place on the frozen St. Moritz Sea. Admission to this international competition is free.
When: February 23-25
Where: St. Moritz, Switzerland
The Carnival returns to Italy’s Cortina Dolomite this year from February 23-28. Dress up in your most colourful costume and discover Italian cuisine, music and games. The carnival will conclude with a traditional “Palio dei Sestieri,” featuring a cross-country ski competition in historical attire and a parade.
When: February 23-28
Where: Cortina Dolomite
Watch a breathtakingly beautiful torchlit ski show at Lech this spring, complete with snow groomers, skiing performances and fireworks. Admission is free.
When: March 1
Where: Lech, Austria
Seefeld brings back its popular Winter Party this year on March 4. Come see big names such as Andreas Gabalier, Egon 7, DJ Lamboef and the Kinihasn at the Klosterbräu Arena in the village centre.
When: March 4
Where: Seefeld
Arlberg brings the beach to the mountain on the Rüfiplatz with Kampen goes Lech. Welcome spring skiing in style with fish specialties, Flensburger beer and the grooviest beach DJ in the Alps, Promiwirt Peter Kliem!
When: March 5-10
Where: Lech Zürs at Arlberg
Enter to win a GoPro or a set of new Salomon skis at Grindelwald’s annual King of the First Hill event. The worthiest candidates will be crowned King and Queen. Participation is open to everybody over the age of 16 but there are only 300 spots available so hurry and register now!
When: March 11
Where: Jungfrau, Switzerland
Sail through an explosion of colour on a specially-prepared piste at Les Gets! The dye is eco-friendly and you will receive a protective white suit and hat so you don't have to permanently rock a 70's-style colour theme.
When: March 11
Where: Les Gets, France
Join in this beautiful eco-friendly crosscountry skiing marathon through the mountainous Oberengadin region.
When: March 12
Where: Engadin St. Moritz, Switzerland
Experience the best skiing that spring has to offer at Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Over two weeks in late March and early April, restaurants arrange special menus and musicians flock from far and wide to bring you live outdoor music.
When: March 17-April 2
Where Saalbach, Austria
The most fabulous festival in the Alps! A stellar concert line-up will see everyone from Boney M to Guy Scheiman. Top it off with fantastic après and the 3rd annual gay film festival, and show your true colours at Europe's best pool party.
When: March 18-25
Where: Tignes, France
Igloo raves, paintball fights in the snow and bottomless brunches will keep you amused between shows by world-class DJ's at France's beautiful Avoriaz ski resort.
When: March 18-25
Where: Avoriaz, France
Featuring mostly French and German alternative indie bands, this festival welcomes some big names such as Chinese Man and the one-hit wonder, Sweet Female Attitude. You can't beat the backdrop at Les Portes du Soleil, one of the most popular ski resorts spanning France and Switzerland.
When: March 19-25
Where: Les Portes du Soleil, France/Switzerland
Watch participants young and old participate in exhilarating feats of freeriding, ski mountaineering and competitive climbing. There are also plenty of parties in the village for the less daring among us.
When: March 23-26
Where: Punta Nera - Cortina Dolomiti, Italy
Don’t miss this eco-friendly music festival right on the pistes of the Seiser Alm! Catch jazz, classical, soul, pop and folk musicians during the day, and check out the après-ski scene in the neighbouring villages in the evening.
When: March 19-26
Where: Seiser Alm, Italy
Join this traditional downhill ski race, which has taken place for almost a century in Switzerland’s Parsenn ski resort. Predating the FIS World Cup, this was once the world’s premier ski race. Today, the Parsenn Derby sees amateurs battle professionals in a test of speed and skill.
When: March 24-26
Where: Davos, Switzerland
Not strictly in the Alps, the Horizon Festival has relocated to up-and-coming Andorra this year. After a pre-party in Barcelona on March 25, live the ultimate mountaintop festival experience with a secret forest rave, paintball wars and a grand finale at the Village Festival.
When: March 26-April 2
Where: Arinsal, Andorra
Rock out to your favourite hits, performed by international cover bands! Davos will play a variety of current favourites and timeless classics at this lively music festival.
When: March 30-April 2
Where: Davos, Switzerland
The experience of a lifetime: a unique wine-tasting showcasing fine Austrian wines, to be savoured with panoramic views from the comfort of your very own gondola, An event not to be missed!
When: March 31
Where: Arlberg, Austria
Open to pros and amateurs alike, part of the proceeds from this family-friendly competition at the world's largest ski area go towards battling multiple sclerosis.
When: April 2
Where: 3 Vallées, France
A ski and snowboard festival open to all ages, this is an opportunity to showcase some of Britain's talent while indulging in some après as well!
When: April 2-9
Where: LAAX, Switzerland
Get your adrenaline pumping at the Swatch Freeride World Tour, which makes several stops in the Alps on its trip around the world. Since 2008, this event has seen dozens of daredevils brave the treacherous off-piste conditions to perform amazing feats of courage.
When: Ongoing; grand finale in April
Where: Various locations
One of the biggest music festivals in the Alps, Snowbombing descends on Mayrhofen every April and delivers top-quality DJ’s, stunning stages and unbeatable après-ski.
When: April 3-8
Where: Mayrhofen, Austria
In the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn, drink in your favourite tunes from Nelly Furtado and Michael Bolton during the six-day Zermatt Unplugged music festival.
When: April 4-8
Where: Zermatt, Switzerland
The ultimate EDM festival, Electric Mountain Festival takes place at Sölden in the first week of April this year. Concert admission is included with your Sölden lift pass.
When: April 6-7
Where: Sölden, Austria
You might have noticed the snow elephant at Sölden this winter – it’s there as a promotion for this year’s production of Hannibal. Watch PisteBullys batter it out with acrobats in a splendid recreation of the Carthaginian crossing of the Alps more than two millennia ago.
When: April 21
Where: Sölden, Austria
Live the quintessential Italian experience with this
open-air concert
by national darling Zucchero, “father of Italian blues.” Framed by the backdrop of the snowy peaks around the Silvretta Arena, Zucchero will send off this year’s ski season in style.
When:
April 30
Where:
Ischgl, Austria
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!
