5 European Ski Festivals To Visit This Winter

Looking to combine a ski holiday with a winter festival this Spring? We've searched far and wide to find the best European festivals where you can enjoy freshly groomed slopes and sunny blue-bird party vibes all in the same place.  From the week-long snow parties up in the Alps to giggles at Austria's top comedy winter gem – here's a list of the most popular, unique winter festivals happening in 2024.

Hosted in the Portes Du Soleil area, there are over 30 stages to explore across 650km of freshly groomed and off-piste terrain. Rock The Piste is a unique high-altitude sensory experience where snow, sound and epic views meet for the best experience. And it's your chance to spend a week in March with your mates rocking out to insane mountain-backdrop stages, having previously hosted international acts like Rag'n'Bone Man and The Kooks. 

As for skiing, Portes Due Soleil sits across 2 countries (Switzerland and France) and offers fun, flowing intermediate terrain, perfect for anyone wanting to improve their turns and seek a challenge at the same time. 

Rock The Piste takes place from 17th to 23rd March each year - check out their website for up-to-date info.  

Skiing, boarding and mountain-top meditation by day, live DJs and comedians by night – this is the wild adventure of Mayrhofen's famous Snowbombing festival. 

Held in the lively ski town of Mayrhofen in the Tyrolean Alps, Snowbombing packs 7 fun-filled days and nights into one epic winter getaway. Plus, with endless slopes, some of the hottest names in electronic music, and a roster of hedonistic parties taking place around the resort – Snowbombing is undoubtedly one of Europe's greatest winter festivals of the year. 

This action-packed festival runs on slightly different dates each year but is scheduled for the 8th to the 13th of April in 2024.  

Snowboxx is an epic week of skiing, raving and exploring a breath-taking ski resort in the French Alps. Enjoy an impressive set of headliners featuring artists like Basement Jaxx and Gorillaz in incredible open-air arenas.  You could enjoy slope-side games, chill out for a hilarious bottomless brunch or treat yourself to a well-deserved spa sesh.

Hosting the best slopes in France, Avoriaz suits keen beginners and holds enough terrain to challenge experienced go-getters. So, prepare for 4 to 6 days of world-class acts and excellent snow conditions - all in car-free bliss and within walking distance from your accommodation.  

Snowboxx is due to take place from 16th to 23rd March, 2024.  

Preparing your gear to keep warm, dry and looking fly before you set off to your chosen festival is crucial. So, before heading off, pop into your local Snow+Rock store and speak to an expert on all things gear. They'll happily run through any of your existing equipment or suggest anything else you'll need to get the most out of your trip.  

To get you started, consider these key gear factors:  

Choose robust and versatile brands. You want to make sure outfit changes are manageable, so comfort-focused outwear designed to take on whatever you or the mountains can throw at it, is ideal. Pick gear that can keep up, whether you're ripping laps, dropping cliffs or showing them how it's done on the dancefloor.  

Shop Snow Pants 

Shop Snow Jackets 

Layering is key. Choose your layers wisely. Select moisture-wicking fibres to transport perspiration away from your skin, keeping you dry and helping to regulate your body temperature. The last thing you need is soggy layers when you build up a sweat from dancing or shredding. So, choose right, and you'll stay out for longer. Plus, your dance + riding buddies will thank you for the smell-suppressing, anti-bacterial properties of merino wool base layers.  

Shop Base Layer

Shop Mid-Layers 

You're about to head to a winter festival – it's going to be cold. And there's nothing worse than the chill getting in the way of an awesome time. So, find the right insulated gear made from the best materials to keep you warm all day and all night.    

Shop Fleeces  

Shop Insulating Jackets 

Choose hard-wearing ski pants with easy-access pockets and handy zips to make visiting the loo a breeze. Test your quick-release buckles and adjustable straps to find your perfect fit no matter how many layers you have on.  Find out what outfit would work for you by chatting to one of our experts - passionate about all things mountain or snow - they'll gladly point you in the right direction. 

Book In-Store Appointment 

One of the best perks about owning the right snow gear is being able to rock it on and off the mountain. You know you've hit the jackpot when you can't wait to slip into your favourite snow jacket and show it off during après antics.