Your Ultimate Survival Guide: Alps Ski Festivals 2024

There’s been a skiing revolution in recent years. Yes, the slopes are busy throughout the season, but swathes of newbies have clocked onto the no-so-little secret and have realised how incredible a week in the mountains is.

Huge numbers of newcomers are heading to Alps ski resorts with family, partners, or even more popular as of late, to hit a non-stop music festival in the magical peaks. What’s that age-old phrase… the more the merrier!

The first of the ski festivals in 2024 is just around the corner, so it’s time to get planning. 

Winter festivals are quite different from your typical Glasto or Leeds fest, so if you’re preparing for your first, you might be wondering where to go, what to pack, what to expect or what to be wary of.Our Ultimate Survival Guide for Alps Ski Festivals 2024 will be your helping hand, your big bro, your leader to make it through your first ski and snowboard festival unscathed. So, put down your sleeping bag, read our toolkit, and get ready for the experience of your life…

The Best Alps Ski Festivals 2024

If you’re still toying with the idea or haven’t made any solid plans yet, it might be because you’re spoilt for choice. The new breed of ski parties has skyrocketed, meaning there are tonnes of festivals for you to choose from. 

Which will suit you best? Do you want rock or electronic music? Do you want a resort with incredible winter sports options at the palm of your hands? Keen on a few bottomless brunches with the gang?

Let’s try and make this a little easier for you. 

Below is a quick roundup of the most popular winter festivals in the Alps. But, if you want all of the juicy details, we have a full breakdown of all the ski festivals this 2023 / 24 season!

• Snowboxx Festival – Avoriaz, France: 16th – 23rd March 2024
• Snowbombing – Mayrhofen, Austria: 8th – 13th April 2024
• Zermatt Unplugged – Zermatt, Switzerland: 9th – 13th April
• Tomorrow Winterland – Alpe d’Huez, France: 16th – 23rd March 2024
• Rock the Pistes – Les Portes du Soleil ski area, France: 17th – 23rd March 2024
• Shapes Festival – Leysin, Switzerland: 18th – 24 March 2024
• Top of the Mountain Closing Concert – Ischgl, Austria: 30th April 2024
• Rise Festival – Les Deux Alpes, France – Europe’s largest skiable glacier! December ‘24

Survival Toolkit; Winter Festival Edition

From packing essentials, safety tips, how your day might pan out and more, following our survival toolkit can seriously improve your experience if you’re a first-timer… and can help you make it through your first ski festival unscathed.

Here’s the questions you should ask yourself:

What Time of Year is the Festival?

Mountain temperatures differ greatly month to month, and even from one hour to the next. If you’re not a fan of blistering cold and you think partying at -10°C might be too tough, avoid festivals in the peak of the winter season – December and January.

The majority of festivals take place in the Springtime. If you’re festival-ing in March or April, you might get away with just a tshirt during the day. The sun can really beam when you’re partying on top of the world. Well, at 2000m high…

But, soon as dusk starts to hit, you’ll feel the chill – so be prepared for all conditions. Regardless of how warm the afternoon seems, it is technically a snow festival.

Will You be Skiing?

You might be surprised at how many festival-goers don’t actually ski on their trips. The sport isn’t for everybody, but why should you miss out on a week with friends and listening to live music in the mountains?

Don’t rush to buy a ski pass if you’re not sure if you want to ski, or at least be wise in your thinking. Consider half-day lift passes instead of paying for a full day if you know you’re going to be too tired from the night before. Also consider the amount you want to ski before booking ski rental for every day of your holiday. 

Booking a Group Ski Transfer

As you might know, most of the Alps ski resorts are at high altitudes and tricky to access if you have not planned your airport ski transfer properly.

The quickest, safest and usually most comfortable way to get from plane to piste with a group of friends is with Alps2Alps private transfer option. It’s a reliable service, we’re drowning in years of experience of winding, snowy roads, AND, as it’s just you and your friends travelling, the fun can begin on the road.

Ski Transfer Discounts for Ski Festivals

Booking your transfer with us means booking your ski transfer with exclusive offers. We have a unique code for every ski festival in the Alps, giving you a 10% discount on your airport transfer. Whether you’re heading to Snowboxx, Snowbombing, Chamonix Unlimited or Subli’cimes, your transfer is cheaper with Alps2Alps.

How the Discount Codes Work:

To take advantage of the offer, simply use the festival-specific discount codes listed on our ski festivals discount page. Here’s how it works:

• Codes will only work on ski transfers to the specified resort for each festival.
• You can travel from any airport, but it must be to the resort listed.
• Codes are valid for travel three days before and three days after the official festival dates – event dates and valid code dates are also listed below.

Forgotten Essentials

You might be used to packing for British festivals, and your essentials list for a potentially rainy/potentially sunny week has been finessed, but ski and snowboarding festivals are quite different. 

Firstly, forget your tent and sleeping bag… Oh no no, you won’t be camping! You can also leave your denim shorts and boho accessories at home and trade them in for some thermals and solid ski gear.

There is a lot of kit that is needed for any ski holiday and we’ll get into that shortly, but if you want some insider essentials for things that will make your snowy party experience that much easier but people often forget, say no more…

• Suncream – the mountains are always sunnier than you expect, especially in the festival season of March and April.
• Hip Flask – you don’t want to run dry, do you? 
• Fancy Dress – There will always be a fancy dress night, don’t be the odd one out!
• Face Paint – you don’t want to save the pzazz just for fancy dress night
• Headband – how do you hide your helmet hair when you retire the skis for sambuca? With a headband, of course
• Snacks – don’t let your energy flag! Skiing is hard work, give yourself a boost before the party commences
• Energy Drinks – on that note, it’s always great to keep a stash of energy drinks on you, too
• Walkie Talkies – smartphone batteries always die in the cold, and we can’t promise high-speed wi-fi or signal, don’t lose the troops with a walkie talkie. You can pack a portable charger, but isn’t this way more fun?
• Water Bottle – we’re being the sensible ones here and telling you to STAY HYDRATED. No, Jagermeister doesn’t count
• GoPro – no comment. The footage is immense.
• Medicines – maaaaybe consider packing Berocca, paracetamol or ibuprofen. The morning after the night before can sometimes be rough
• Portable Speaker – download some tunes to your Spotify, find a great sit off spot at the top of a piste, and cheers your pals while soaking up the views. It might be the most beautiful shot you ever take 
• Travel Insurance – we know you’ve sorted this already… Right? But another reminder that ice + booze = be safe
• Swimming Costume – think jacuzzis and hot tubs with a view. A swimming costume is a must

Packing Pros

Okay, the insider forgotten essentials are covered, but what about ski gear, equipment and clothes? 

We have created the ULTIMATE what to pack for a ski trip checklist, with no stone left unturned. Also, since this is not festival specific, you can bookmark this blog and use it time and time again for every ski holiday.

Ski and Snowboarding Festival Safety!

Drinking and apres-ski is a big part of a holiday on the slopes, but even more so at ski festivals. Remember basic safety to ensure an amazing experience is had by yourself and everybody around you.

You are in a new and unusual environment and with new people, so always keep your wits about you. Always travel in pairs, never wander off into the snowy mountains alone or off course, and follow the rules – they’re there for a reason.

Try to monitor your alcohol consumption so that you don’t ruin your following days or find yourself in any dangerous predicament. Eat sufficient meals throughout the day, hydrate with water and never leave your drink unattended.

But most importantly remember, you don’t need to drink to have fun! 

Booking Tickets

Festival survival starts at home, and it starts when you’re buying your tickets. Always buy from official ticket websites, or if you miss out on the initial sale, only buy from reputable resellers. Imagine arriving at the festival to find out you’ve been sold a fraudulent ticket!

Getting Lost

Don’t stray from the beaten track when you’re skiing or at the festival, especially if you’re in unfamiliar territory. The paths, trails and zones have been marked for a reason, so you must stay within these areas for your safety.

Looking After Your Valuables

Just like any other festival, you should have your wits about you when it comes to transporting your valuables. Anything that you don’t need on the mountain, such as your passport, you should leave in the safety of your accommodation. We also recommend giving yourself a daily allowance of cash to save taking it all out with you at once, and again leaving the rest in the safety of your room. 

Don’t wear any expensive jewellery or clothes on the mountains in case they get ruined, and always, always keep your phone on your person, preferably within a bum bag that is on the front of your body so you can see it at all times.

Start planning your adventure now! Book your tickets, gather your crew, and reserve your ski transfer today. Your ultimate winter ski festival awaits.