What’s on in the mountains this season?

the snowy Matterhorn in the long distance, with a crowd of people celebrating at a mountain festival in the foreground

Nirvana in the Dolomites, Ski World Cup finals, music en haut – yep, we’re stoked for this season’s ski-tastic line-up of festivals and events. Here’s a pick of what’s on in the mountains this season…

Kendal Mountain Festival 
Where Cumbria 
When 16 – 19 November 2023 

Cumbria’s pre-winter social gathering-cum-adventure festival returns in November and looks to be as fresh as ever. There’s the festival base camp with gear brand stands and stages for the adventure speakers (who come in the dozens), as well as an international film competition, movies premieres, photography comps, and both free and ticketed active events (runs, hikes, rides, yoga). See you out there! 

IF3 Festival  
Where Chamonix 
When 30 November – 2 December 2023 

Sure you can watch ski movies on the sofa at home, but there’s nothing quite like catching them on the big screen, surrounded by mountains and fellow skeeks. This one’s been dubbed ‘the Cannes of ski films’ – an independent film festival for ski, snowboard and mountain bike enthusiasts, dedicated to screening freeskiing movies and expanding ski culture to new levels. The festival tours through Montreal and Whistler, before heading to Europe for the Chamonix edition on 30 November, gathering movie producers, athletes and film watchers from 20+ countries. 

Ice Climbing World Cup 
Where Saas-Fee 
When 25 – 27 January 2024 

See the world’s best climbers fly up huge walls of ice in Switzerland this January at the 2024 Ice Climbing World Cup. But beyond the spectacle of the competition – which is in its 24th year and sees over 100 athletes compete – it’s also the ideal place to get stuck in yourself, with a series of activities and events open to the public, as well as discovery workshops. 

K100 Murren 
Where Murren, Switzerland 
When 30 January 2024
On 30 January the Kandahar Ski Racing Club turns 100, which means that Mürren is the place to be… It promises to be the Jungfrau’s party of the century, with drinks on the Schilthorn, the infamous Inferno and Centenary Races, history evenings, curling comps, and many more celebration besides… Get your party ski suits at the ready, peeps! 

Ski World Cup finals 
Where Saalbach  
When 16 – 24 March 2024 
The biggest event of the year in Downhill ski racing takes place at the end of March on the Zwölferkogel in Saalbach – the World Cup finals of the ’23/24 season. Get tickets now for the men’s and women’s Slalom and GS, Super G and Downhill, and there promises to be a party atmosphere in town (knowing both Saalbach and the ski racing fan club). 

 

The Mighty Coe 
Where Glencoe, Scotland 
When March 2024
The UK’s only mountain-based ski and snowboard festival will be back at Glencoe Mountain Resort in March ‘24 for a weekend of skiing, snowboarding, film, culture, après… and, of course, the Scottish backcountry. Exact dates TBC, so best clear all weekends in March for this fun fest on home turf. 

Altitude Comedy Festival 
Where Mayrhofen  
When 1 – 5 April 2024 
A firm feature on the Fall Line calendar and this season’s lineup is already looking to be a good’un, with Dara O’Briain, Zoe Lyons, Marcus Brigstoke confirmed. During the week, spot comedians on stage and in bars throughout Mayrhofen, and three shows a night ensures you’ll enjoy plenty of laughs (even if, deep down, you’re distraught the season season’s almost over…). 

Crowd Of People At The Music Festival

Spring sounds

While some ski resorts peter out, lazily dropping into spring, some end the season with a bang. Here’s what’s on in the mountain festival field:

Rock the Dolomites
Val Gardena
15 – 23 March
A rock festival in a UNESCO site with skiing – now that’s someone’s idea of nirvana.  

Chamonix Unlimited Festival
April (exact date TBD)
An electronic festival in the world’s most famous mountain town, for people who like to party as hard as they ride.

Sun and Snow Festival
Pyrenees
5 – 7 April.
You’re almost guaranteed sun, in Spain’s high Sierra Nevada, with electronic music on the side for slope-side dancing, late-nights and family fun.

Snowbombing
Mayrhofen
8 – 13 April
It’s a resort with one of the wildest party reputations out there, so you know what to expect. Big news is Bicep just announced as headliner…

Zermatt Unplugged
 9 – 13 April
Location | under the Matterhorn.
Acoustic music (plus a bit of everything) with a focus on food and wine, too.