Snowbombing Festival welcomes around 7,000 people to the slopes of The Ahorn Ski Resort, Western Austria in mid-April every year – and people absolutely love it!
We should know, the TA-DAH.TV crew has been in attendance more times than we’ve fallen off our skis! (Well, maybe not that many times…)
But, for those who haven’t been lucky enough to grab a ticket, what’s it like going to snowbombing? Does it attract big performers? And what actually goes down on those picturesque slopes in Mayrhofen?
Slow down, hold your horses! We’ll tell you everything you need to know, from our own experience
What’s it Like at Snowbombing Festival?
Snowbombing is incredible! And so very unique. Held over a week of non-stop skiing, boarding and dancing, there’s so much to take in.
The festival is split over 2 types of venues, the slopes and the town. Partying starts from noon with superstar DJs like Patrick Topping playing a host venues across the mountain. But, when the music stops around 4 pm, the party moves to the streets – where it doesn’t stop again until 6 am.
Oh yeah, only hardcore ravers need apply!
As for what it’s like at Snowbombing, the vibes are incredible. People come from all over Europe to hit the slopes, dance to huge tunes, grab a drink and have a good time.
In fact, during our last experience, we chatted with mermaids and red Indians before happening across a pregnant Mary alongside her drunken monks (don’t worry, she wasn’t really pregnant).
Do You Need to Be Good At Skiing to Go to Snowbombing?
It probably helps to have some skiing chops to experience the whole festival. But, you can still get up to the main stages, bars and cafes of the mountain part of the festival without them.
Plus, the after-dark stage of Snowbombing happens in Mayrhofen town. So, even if you didn’t want to venture up the mountain, you could spend your morning and early afternoon relaxing in the town before dancing the night away from 4 pm onwards.
On the other hand, you could take your Snowbombing adventure as an opportunity to learn a new skill as well as party. Skiing lessons are available from professional coaches across the mountain.
Best Things to Do at Snowbombing
There are so many incredible things to do at Snowbombing. But we’ve managed to distill our excitement down into our top 5 activities that you need to try.
- Discover the unique venues
- Snowsports
- Learn to ski
- The Pond Skim
- Go exploring
The Venues
As we mentioned earlier, the festival festivities are spread out over two awesome locations. The incredible mountains and picturesque town.
The Mountain Venues
Up in the mountains, prepare to feel like you’re literally partying in heaven. The altitude means you’ll be surrounded by clouds with soft powdery snow underfoot.
When you’re not hitting the slopes or apres ski, you could be checking out the top-tier DJ talent at this collection of venues:
- The Snowpark Terrace
- The Mountain Stage
- Rompa’s Reggae Shack
- Moutaintop Brunch
- The Penken Terrace
In-Town Venues
Meanwhile, down in the town, you can pick up the pace with a collection of incredible venues like:
- The Fun Haus
- The Racket Club
- The Brück’n Stadl
- The Strass Bar
- Hans The Butcher
If you want our opinion, they’re all incredible. But you need to check out Hans The Butcher. This place goes from slinging sausages as a butcher’s shop by day, to dropping beats as a rave hot spot by night.
Snowsports
Of course, the other main activity at Snowbombing is hitting the slopes. If you love your snowy pastimes then this is the spot for you. Purpose-built cable car systems ensure there are no queues as they can ferry a staggering 3,800+ people an hour! Woah.
The slopes at The Ahorn cater to all levels, its 2,000m descent is perfect for beginners, while more advanced skiers can check out The Glacier, with over 230km of powdery trails to choose from.
Learn to Ski
As we said, this place caters to all crowds, including ski novices. If you fancy popping your slope cherry, Snowbombing is the place.
Daily lessons by qualified instructors, as well as a selection of nursery runs will ensure you have the skills and the opportunity to test your mettle in the Ziller Valley.
Check out the Pond Skim
Just here for a good time? No worries, but nothing says “good time” like watching people and pro-skiers take on the challenge of trying to skid their way completely across a swimming pool on the slopes without ending up in the drink.
Explore the Town
Last but not least, if you have some time to yourself during the week of Snowbombing, then you should definitely check out more of stunning Mayrhofen.
As Patrick Topping said in our interview, the place is like Twin Peaks. The stunning surroundings follow you everywhere you go.
But when you’re not sliding down the slopes, why not warm up with some authentic schnitzel or goulash in one of the quaint cafes and restaurants? Perfect for lining the stomach too for an evening of fun!
Snowbombing Line Up: Who’s Played There?
Snowbombing attracts some of the biggest names from the EDM and trance scene.
We caught up with artists like Jackmaster, Eats Everything and DJ Yoda during our last visit.
But incredible names like Fatboy Slim, Confidence Man, Joy Orbison, Wilkinson and My Nu Leng have all either played or have sets confirmed.
Is Snowbombing Worth It?
Unequivocally, yes! If you love snowsports and EDM then you’re gonna love this place. But you probably knew that already.
So, as you’ll see from our video, if you’re just a huge fan of having an amazing time with friends, exploring new places and experiencing new things, then you will have the best time at Snowbombing
More Snowsports Festivals in Europe
Europe is jam-packed full of winter festivals that allow partygoers to unite their love of the slopes with the love of the stage so it should come as no surprise that Snowbombing is in good company when it comes to snowsports music festivals!
Other celebrated events include Snowboxx, which takes place in Avoriaz, France each March and has earned itself a bit of a reputation for proceedings getting wild!
Elsewhere, there is also Rave on Snow taking place in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, and Sun & Snow Festival which is held every year in Sierra Nevada, Spain.
But we’re not always in the mountains either! Sometimes we’re glistening in the sunshine at BIG Festival in Andalucia. Or getting down in the sand of the Agafay Desert at Lost Nomads just outside Marrakech.
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