STYLE MOUNTAIN
SNOWBOMBING
June 8th 2012
First up is perhaps the most well known festival, the Glastonbury of the winter months. One of three major events In Mayrhofen, Austria, Snowbombing quite literally packs an explosive programme in from the 1st of April to the 6th.
Mayrhofen is ideally located in the naturally ski rich area of Zillertal of the Tyrol region, approximately an hour from the nearest major airport of Innsbruck. The town offers a vast variety of winter and summer sports and activities catering for nearly everyone’s pleasure in life. And if you just can’t let go of the winter months like us then Mayrhofen offers skiing all year round thanks to its glacier, which at 3268m stands above the snowline!
It also boasts Harakiri- The Steepest piste in Austria. This may not be the steepest piste in the world but whereas other infamous steep pistes are left ungroomed this piste is tended to all season long. Boasting gradients of up 78% you would be mad to give it a go! Its name hardly fills us with hope; hara-kiri was the Japanese suicide ritual undertaken by warriors who rather than be captured plunged themselves with their own swords.
Since Snowbombing’s humble conception in 2000 it has gathered much respect. In fact so much so that it had to migrate, for the first years of its life it resided in Risoul, France. Since moving its status as one of the world’s best festivals has catapulted further, attracting a huge fan base of DJ’s and artists.
The Art of Noise.
It’s true to say that Snowbombing excels itself even to its notably high standards in this department. Proud to embrace live music from a wide spectrum of international artists, from Fat Boy Slim to the Friendly Fires, Mylo to Madness, Dizzee Rascal to De La Soul: each year brings a musical feast for us to eagerly dine on! We’re just uncertain on one thing, how does such a festival push the boundaries even further?
Below are just some of the acts we would have made it our mission to see in 2012.
- Dizzee Rascal, the Vaccines, Fat Boy Slim, Knife Party, Crookers, Fake Blood, Labrinth, Wretch 32, Chase and Status, Sub Focus, Jack Beats, Norman Jay, Netsky, Shy FX and Doorly.
To emphasise our point even further we just had to share with you some of the stars that have graced the festival over its 11 years.
- 2ManyDj’s, Calvin Harris, Annie Mac, Beardyman, Biffy Clyro, DJ Yoda, the Doves, Ed Sheeran, Erol Alkan, Editors, Fenech Soler, Friendly Fires, Pendulum, Magnetic Man, Prodigy, the Courteeners
Interested yet? You should be. What sets this festival miles apart from your standard run-of-the-mill, tents in a rain-sodden countryside festival is its location. To be more specific not just the fact that it’s a ski resort, but the actual venues. Fancy an open-air forest rave or sky-high igloo party? Well here you can. Performances are delivered in the most inspiring of locations, from a secluded and completely unique venue on the glacier to the mountain stage, quite literally higher than the clouds.
Our personal favourite is the ‘arctic disco’ where even the corny tagline that boasts it will be the coolest party you’ll ever attend seems somewhat appropriate, and then some. This is by far the most extravagant music venue we’ve ever heard of, we challenge you our readers to state otherwise. Set on the top of the mountain it’s sculpted entirely of ice. Boasting three bars we could easily wile away the nights here!
We still have one major problem with such a perfectly fashioned music festival, how do we fit it all in? This festival has something for everyone; the skiing is some of the best in Europe and the Après Ski is fantastic even without the festival. So don’t be silly give it a look here and start planning your trip! We’ll see you all out there!
For more information visit their homepage:
http://www.snowbombing.com/en/
~Liam Deboys
