Nicknamed “Ibiza on Ice”, the first festival of the season will see Seth Troxler drop
dirty beats under a glass dome overlooking the Swiss Alps.
World-class DJs are set high up Mouton Noir, giving this party some
serious altitude. Verbier institution, Farm Club, will host four
times Derrick Carter for a late-night disco – perfect for those who
would prefer being last on the dance floor to first on the
lifts.

Ten days of pounding the slopes and knocking back vin chaud
makes the World Ski and Snowboard Fest a marathon of art, music
and extreme snow sports. Freestyle piste championships, roller
derbys and Busta Rhymes taking to the stage are just some of the
highlights of this mega event. With pristine powder snow and pop-up
Corona bars littering the slopes, it’s a whirlwind of ice-cold bevs
and Olympus Pro photographer showdowns.

Snow angels and wonky snowmen won’t quite cut it here as giant
churches, pyramids, tigers and dragons are all carved from ice at
the largest snow festival in the world.
Ironically named “Sun Island” is covered with almost life-sized ice
cities in the annual Snow Sculpture Art Fair, which starts in
January
and runs through until late February.
Grab a sledge and explore the real-life winter wonderland.

Set across the entire Portes du Soleil area, five
live concerts tear up the slopes and over 50 après-ski gigs
spring up in the chocolate box town of Chatel. Main stages are
erected across various mountain peaks enabling you to ski straight
to the stages and shuffle in your ski boots. Last year saw The
Klaxons, Rag’n’Bone Man and Hannah Wants replace cheese fondue as
the après activity of choice – a no-brainer when concert entry is
free and all you need is your lift pass.

Ramp it up and board the Jäger train as Rock the Pistes’
debauched lovechild transforms Avoriaz for the fifth
year running in March.
The mountain-side main stage will be headed up by Fatboy Slim and
Chase and Status, with Radio One’s Ibiza expert Danny Howard
hosting a roster of world-renowned DJs in an ice-carved igloo. The
neon lights of Downtown will draw you in to belt out Beyoncé – even
if you swear to only get down to minimal beats these days.

One of America’s largest ski resorts,
Vail ends each season with two weeks of free live concerts – plus a
couple of parties, après debauchery and the odd giveaway thrown in
for good measure. The festival culminates in the infamous World
Pond Skimming Championships – open to anyone who believes they can
race down the mountain and make it across the pond – on the final
day. Taking place every March, kick off your skis and enjoy
free daytime concerts at various outdoor venues before settling in
for an early evening gig.

Each April, international DJs and bands
schlep to Mayrhofen in pursuit of one epic party. Spend your days
on the slopes, enjoying music across six mountain venues; from
pop-up raves to chairlift speed-dating and yoga, come nightfall,
revellers can expect cutting-edge performances from the likes of
Liam Gallagher, Stormzy and Rudimental. Venues range from igloos to
forests so make sure you come prepared. In the packing stakes,
multiple layers and some striking snow boots will not suffice –
Snowbombing also hosts Austria’s largest fancy dress
street party.