Music on the snow this season

16th October 2012, by Abi Butcher

Zermatt Unplugged

Taking après-ski to a new level, the popularity of live music on snow is growing. Whatever your taste — from classical to acoustic to big-name DJs — there will be a festival for you. Here’s a run-down of just some of the many concerts being put on in the Alps this season.

We’ll add more and update this as the season approaches, so if you can recommend any others worth a mention, please email WTSS web editor Abi on abi.b@wheretoskiandsnowboard.com

Ischgl opening week, November
Ischgl claims it was the first alpine resort to feature big name rock concerts, and in the past Elton John, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Rihanna and Maria Carey have all taken to the stage to welcome the new season in. This year, The Scorpions are expected to draw crowds of 20,000.
When: 23 November to 1 December 2012
How much: the concerts are free to all with a valid lift pass
More information: ischgl.com

Classicaval Festival, Val d’Isère January and March
The festival of acclaimed classical artists celebrates its 10th anniversary this season. The series of evening concerts take place in the heart of the village in the historic Baroque church, Saint Bernard de Menthon.
When: 22-24 January and 19-21 March
How much: From €16 for adults (around £13)
More information: festival-classicaval.com

Basscamp, Morzine, March
This electronic music and snowsports festival is back for a second year in the Portes du Soleil with a new high-capacity venue. Last year Basscamp featured the likes of The Correspondents, High Rankin, DJ Switch and Thomas Gandey, though “amazing artists” for 2013 are still to be confirmed.
When: 14-16 March 2013
How much: From €20 per day (around £16)
More information: basscamp-festival.com

Rock the Pistes, Portes du Soleil, March
Now in its third year, Rock the Pistes (artists still to be confirmed) is a series of free concerts for all tastes at venues all round the Portes du Soleil’s 12 resorts.
Register online to receive a text message the day before each concert, and just ski over to the stage to enjoy!
When: 20-24 March
How much: free with a lift pass
More information: rockthepistes.com

Momentum Ski Festival, Crans Montana, March
The comedy and live music festival is back for a second year, in conjunction with the City Ski Championships. Rick Parfitt Junior is confirmed, but the rest of the line-up is under negotiation and yet to be announced. In 2012, The Feeling and 29 Fingers played in the open air after racing.
When: 14-17 March
How much: Packages start from £685 for three nights, including race fees, flights and some meals.
More information: momentumskifestival.com

Snowboxx, Arinsal, March
New for this season, event organisers say they are working with promoters in Ibiza, Majorca, Andorra and the UK to deliver big-name DJs to the party resort of Arinsal. They’re promising a week of live music and DJ sets from the likes of Brandon Block and Ian Redman (confirmed), as well as on-piste fun and…pub crawls.
When: 22-28 March
How much: Accommodation, lift pass and festival ticket packages start at £199.99
More information: snowboxx.com

The BRITS Snow and Music Festival, Tignes, March
After eight years in Laax, Switzerland, the festival is moving to Tignes in France for 2013 — and celebrating its 24th year in business. The BRITS features an eclectic mix of live bands and big-name DJs — music managers are currently in the process of signing artists up, so more information will follow soon.
When: 23-30 March
How much: Accommodation and entertainment packages starts from £130.36 per person
More information: the-brits.com

Snowbombing, Mayrhofen, April
This music festival has been running for more than a decade, and has featured artists from Fatboy Slim to Prodigy to Madness in various quirky venues around Mayrhofen from an igloo to a cleared forest setting. The muusic line-up for 2013 has yet to be announced.
When: 1-6 April
How much: From £319 for accommodation and entertainment
More information: snowbombing.com

Zermatt Unplugged, April
The sixth edition of the resort’s acoustic festival takes place in April, and though no details of any acts will be released until 11 December, we can expect them to be good. The 2012 festival featured Amy Macdonald, Newton Faulkner, Lauren Hill, Aloe Blacc and Chris de Burgh.
When: 9-13 April
How much: Tickets start at 40CHF (around £26)
More information: zermatt-unplugged.ch

• zermatt
• tignes
• ischgl
• portes du soleil
• morzine
• val d isere
• festival
• concert
• mayrhofen

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