Ski and snowboard festival fun 2014
Pic: Getty
For many Brits, the highlight of the year is a trip to the ski slopes of Europe or North America, and for those that are looking for some special aprés ski, one of the many ski and snowboard festivals that hit the top resorts really tops off that week away.
So for the best skiing, snowboarding, music and culture on offer amidst the mountains this year, here are five of the best shows in the snow.
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World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Whistler, Canada
A trip to the expansive Canadian resort is good enough for many people, but hit the Whistler slopes between April 11 and April 20 this year and you can combine the outstanding skiing and snowboarding opportunities with fashion, music, culture, and a chance to see how the pros do things.
From 11th to 15th, the best snowboarders in the world will show off their big air, boarderstyle and slopestyle skills, while the skiers do their stuff between 16th and 20th of April. And should the snow blindness takes hold, you can always take in one of the fashion, photography or film events, not to mention the free outdoor concerts.
Ibiza Rocks the Snow
What? How, we hear you cry. Well, this year the White Isle is taking its very own brand of dance party mayhem to the slopes of Meribel in France. As one would expect, breakthrough artists, world-renowned DJs and some of Ibiza's famous club brands will be heading north to the snow during three weeks of the season. The first has already gone, but packages that include travel, accommodation and entrance to all the big bashes are available for 8 to 15 February and 29 March to 5 April, with a two-star apartment that sleeps four priced at £399 per person.
Horizon Festival, Bansko, Bulgaria
Bulgaria's ski and snowboard scene is rapidly gathering pace, and the Horizon Festival, now in its second year, is proving a big draw for ravers. Running from 8 to 14 March, party-goers enjoy the slopes by day, and by night, gigs in abandoned hotels, in the forest, and at underground clubs. And if the aprés ski gets a little too much, there are chill-out areas by the pool, yoga classes and spa sessions. Packages including tickets to the festival, lift pass and accommodation are on offer from £279.
The Brits, Tignes, France
A week-long celebration of all things ski and snowboard, The Brits celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, from 30 March to 5 April. Over the course of the seven days, snow fanatics can enjoy the British Snowboard and Freeski Championships, and marvel at the UK's best boarders and skiers during freestyle demonstrations. The nightlife includes club nights, live bands, and DJs. Packages start from £290 including accommodation, lift pass and festival entry.
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Snowbombing, Mayrhofen, Austria
Renowned for obtaining some seriously top-flight headliners, Snowbombing combines skiing or boarding with a week-long festival of DJs and bands, playing in some of the world's most unique venues, including an enchanted forest, an igloo, and on stages high in the mountains. Running from 7 April to 12 April, accommodation with a festival wristband comes with a price tag of around £220, and with names like Chase & Status, the Chemical Brothers, Rudimental and The Prodigy in the line-up, it's little wonder it was voted last year's Best Overseas Festival.
What event would you recommend to ski festival first-timers? Leave your comments below...
