The best ski festivals in Europe this winter

Find the best ski festivals in Europe. Film festivals in France. High altitude rock festivals. LGBTQ snow festivals. Party festivals. Jazz festivals. Here are 8 of the best ski festivals in Europe.

1. Rise Festival, Les Deux Alpes, France

December is the month for Rise Festival in France.

This iconic event in Les Deux Alpes attracts international headliners.

The music's a mix of electro, funk, rock and pop.

And there are dozens of lives gigs across seven days in mid-December.

It's also famous for secret (invitation only) parties.

Stay at Studio Standing in Les Deux Alpes during Rise Festival.

Les Deux Alpes has one of the earliest ski festivals in Europe © Inu/Shutterstock

2. Les Arcs Film Festival, France

Ski early. Don't miss Les Arcs Filmfest.

• New European cinema.
• Over 120 screenings.
• High altitude cinemas.
• Parties, gigs, DJ sets.
• Les Arcs Paradiski.
• Mid December. Seven days.

Stay at Chalet des Neiges in Arc 2000.

Ski station of les Arcs 1950 © Delpixel/Shutterstock

3. European Gay Ski Week, Les Arcs, France

Ski late. Catch European Gay Ski Week.

• Mid March.
• Les Arcs Paradiski.
• Europe's biggest LGBTQ+ ski festival.
• Après-ski gigs on slopes.
• Club nights.
• Pool parties.

Book Studios Paradiskis in Arc 2000.

Evening picture of the village Les Arcs © Jack Koning Photography/Shutterstock

4. Snowboxx, France, one of the latest ski festivals in Europe

Snowboxx is a late season legend.

• Electro festival.
• Avoriaz, Les Portes du Soleil.
• International headliners.
• Outdoor gigs. Intimate gigs.
• Bottomless brunches. Igloo parties. Spa sessions.
• Late March. Seven days.

Stay at ski-in/ski-out Munk in Avoriaz.

View of the village and the surrounding area Avoriaz mountains © Sergey Naryshkin/Shutterstock

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5. Rock the Pistes, Portes du Soleil, France/Switzerland

Do Rock the Pistes mid-March.

• Cross border rock festival.
• Portes du Soleil.
• France and Switzerland.
• Over 50 gigs.
• Lunchtime gigs. Après-ski gigs.
• International line up.
• Mid-March. Seven days.

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Cityscape of the town of Chatel in the Portes du Soleil in France © Denis van de Water/Shutterstock

6. Swing on Snow, Seiser Alm, Italy

Up for mellow? Try Swing on Snow.

• Folk, classical, jazz, soul.
• Seiser Alm mountains, Italy.
• Dolomite views.
• Gigs on Alpe di Suisi.
• Village gigs.
• Day and night music.
• Late winter, early spring.

Stay at Hotel Lamm in Castelrotto.

Snow-capped Mountain Hut, with Seiser Alm, Rosengarten and Sciliar in the background © S.Micheli/Shutterstock

7. New Orleans Meets Snow, St Anton, Austria

Try New Orleans Meets Snow in spring.

• St Anton party resort.
• New Orleans jazz, funk, soul and blues.
• Early April. Western Austria.
• International headliners.
• Local performers.
• Saturday Blues Night.

Stay at m3 Hotel in St Anton.

Landscape of beautiful village St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria © Boris-B/Shutterstock

8. Snowbombing, Mayrhofen, Austria

Get a late season buzz. Catch Snowbombing in April.

• Mayrhofen, Austria.
• Rock, pop and dance gigs.
• Open air gigs.
• Igloo parties. Forest raves.
• Mid-mountain yoga.
• Dress up nights.
• Cable car karaoke.
• Western Austria. April. Seven days.

Stay MANNI das Hotel in Mayrhofen.

Panorama view of Mayrhofen winter resort in Austria © Alexander Tolstykh/Shutterstock

Looking for a winter holiday destination to enjoy skiing and snowboarding? Read our guide about top ski resorts: best skiing holidays destinations.

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