Ski resorts are upping the alpine ante with large-scale winter festivals celebrating music, comedy and food. For the ultimate in apres-ski entertainment, read our guide to the biggest and best snow fests in Europe.
What? This five-day music festival in Mayrhofen is billed as "the greatest show on snow". Snowbombing attracts big-name artists and the 2012 line-up features DJ Shadow, Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada Present Red Light, Example, Wretch 32, The Vaccine and many more.
The music festival takes place across 13 venues including three mountain stages and a nightclub made entirely from snow. The Daily Mail described Snowbombing as "the skiing alternative to Glastonbury". 2012 will have the most extensive musical line-up to datemarks the thirteenth festival and each year it's getting bigger and better.
Snowbombing is sold as an accommodation and entertainment package, meaning the wristband (offering free entrance to the music festival) is included on securing accommodation. After booking, you can add various travel options, including coach transfer from the UK and airport transfers from local airports or take part in the Snowbombing Road Trip. There is also the option to add a selection of optional extras onto your booking, including ski hire, ski lessons and evening meals.
Where? Mayrhofen is set in the heart of the Tyrol. It is home to one of the largest snowboard parks in Europe - the Vans Penken Park. Mayrhofen offers access to 157 kilometres of pistes linked by 48 lifts. The Super Zillertal pass increases the local ski area to a massive 639 kilometres. The resort is known for having one of the liveliest après-ski scenes in the Alps with numerous all-night bars and nightclubs.
What? The Big Snow Festival in Kopaonik is a week-long event features some of the world's best DJs and live acts as well as ski and snowboard competitions. The Observer newspaper has branded it "a weeklong rollercoaster of skiing, snowboarding and big nights out." Launched by the organisers of the sell-out UK music event, The Big Reunion, the 2012 line-up features music talent from Judge Jules, Basement Jazz, Fresh Live, Micky Slim and lots more.
The Big Snow Festival, which was launched in 2010, has proven so successful that it has doubled in size and for its third year it will be moving from Arinsal in Andorra to Kopaonik in Serbia, which is better suited to hosting even bigger parties. Packages are available on line from £499 including transfers, lift pass, flights, hotel and festival ticket. Beer fans can expect to pay just €1-1.7 for a pint of beer in Sebia.
Where? The Serbian resort of Kopaonik has 62 kilometres of ski runs and 23 chairlifts. There are slopes to suit every level, with four nursery slopes, four green runs, 12 blue, five red and two black. There's also floodlighing for night skiing and 21 kilometres of cross-country trails. Serbia is also home to the EXIT Festival which attracts 50,000 revellers.
What? The Little World Festival in Meribel combines five days of skiing and snowboarding in the largest ski area in the world with the best DJs and pop-rock bands. The music festival features 40 concerts during the week, from large open-air performances on the slopes to small bar gigs. The 2012 line-up is yet to be announced, but last year's featured Ben Howard, Michael Jones, Squeez, The Feeling, Sophie Eliis Bextor Freemasons, Carl Barat and Ed Harcourt. Tickets and package deals are available on line.
Where? Meribel makes up part of the Three Valleys ski area - the largest lift-linked ski area in the world with 600 kilometres of pistes and 200 lifts. Meribel has traditional chalet-style buildings and is linked to neighbouring Courchevel and Val Thorens. Après-ski features bars, restaurants, casinos, and nightclubs.
What? The Altitude Comedy Festival in Mayrhofen sees the UK's biggest names in comedy performing over six nights at one of the best resorts in Europe. Altitude is the only billingual comedy event in Europe with international performances from some of the biggest stars in comedy. This year, comedian Andrew Maxwell presents Altitude with a line-up including Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, Al Murray, Ed Byrne, Kevin Bridges, Tim Minchin and many more. The aim is for the whole festival to be carbon neutral and raise awareness of global warming.
You can create your own Altitude package from £259, including accommodation and wristband, to full trip packages including travel and ski passes.
Where? Mayrhofen has one of the liveliest après-ski scenes in The Alps with numerous all-night bars and nightclubs. The ski area offers access to 157 kilometres of pistes linked by 48 lifts. The Super Zillertal pass increases the local ski area to a massive 639 kilometres. It is home to one of the largest snowboard parks in Europe - the Vans Penken Park.
What? Each year Europe's premier chefs gather in Alta Badia, a popular ski destination in South Tyrol, for the Chef's Cup charity race. January 2012 will mark the seventh year of this giant slalom event. Founded by the two-Michelin-Star chef, Norbert Niederkofler, the race attracts more than 100 chefs and winemakers each year. The Chef's Cup is not only a fun giant slalom, it's a big charity event with fine food and a gala dinner. 12 top chefs from South Tyrol create their own signature dish, combining local produce with international ingredients, and each is served in a different mountain refuges throughout the winter.
Where? Alta Badia in South Tyrol is an alpine valley containing the villages: Corvara, Badia, La Villa, San Cassiano, and Colfosco. The area has made a name for itself as a winter destination for gourmet dining on the slopes and contains the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants in Northern Italy. Set in the Dolomites, Alta Badia offers 130 kilometres of ski runs accessed by 53 modern lifts. It is also part of the Dolomiti Superski area which combines 500 kilometres of terrain.
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