8 European Mountaintop Festivals to Keep You on a Natural High Through Spring

Article by: Suze Olbrich|@suzeolbrich

Mon February 01, 2016 | 00:00 AM


2016 sees festivals popping up all over Europe’s soaring peaks. In fact, it seems as if every major summit boasts an event worthy of a serious crowd. So, whether your stimulant of choice is an adrenaline rush from bombing down a black diamond run, reverberating bass flooding your ears backdropped by a summer sunset, a serious crack at the wine, or a kilo of err, dairy-crack, it’s easy to find a pinnacle on which to party.

Kaese FestivalCamp Tures-Sand in Taufers, South Tyrol,  Italy March 11-13, 2016

With a founder who is described as “driven exclusively by his passion for cheese,” an ecstatically, gluttonous time in ensured at this annual celebration of South Tyrollean dairy goods, which features over 1,000 types of cheese made by the region's artisans. The perfect event to stop off at on your way up or down the slopes, or just hang out at with the family behind the festival.

Horizon Festival, Bansko Ski Resort, Bulgaria, March 12-17, 2016

It claims to be Europe’s greatest ski party, and with 75 kilometers of slopes to zoom down and 120 DJs soundtracking proper raves, club events, abandoned factories, thermal pool parties, forest stages, go-go bars, Snowlympics, flash-mob ski downs and more (yep), we’re not in a place to argue. So, if what you want is everything, get your skies on, eh?

Worldwide Festival Leysin, Leysin, Switzerland, March 17-20, 2016

With a ski pass included with the ticket, it would be silly not to spend serious time on the sun-filled slopes of this cosmopolitan resort, especially given that the music heads up the mountain with you in the daytime, before descending for an après-ski party and filling local venues through to the early hours. It all means you won’t miss a beat, whatever your elevation.

Snowbombing, Mayrhofen, Austria, April 4-9, 2016

The big one turns 17 in 2016 and is celebrating accordingly by inviting The Prodigy, Skepta, Jamie Jones, Jungle and more up to indecently scenic Mayrhofen, in the Austrian Alps. As well as a solid rave scene featuring an Arctic Disco in an igloo, Snowbombing provides ample opportunity for late-season action in some of the continent’s finest ski and snowboard areas, including Harakiri, Austria’s steepest slope, and the highly praised Penken Snow Park.

Caprices, Crans-Montana, Switzerland, April 7-10, 2016

From atop a 3,000 meter glacier, this eminently beautiful, twinned Swiss resort offers a view from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn as the backdrop for a svelte electronic lineup featuring Ricardo Villalobos and Nina Kraviz on the main stages, whilst multiple free offsite events ensure the party spirit continues in the village below.

Meadows in the Mountains, Rhodes Mountains, Bulgaria, June 10-13, 2016

Set in an enchanting village by the Greek border, this open-minded music festival provides a sumptuous banquet for the eyes and soul. Simultaneously family and lone raver friendly, it beckons attendees to join its mystical party community with the aim of inciting experimental social adventure.

Haro Wine Festival, Haro, Spain, June 28-30, 2016

The festival of St. Peter is celebrated annually across three wine-drenched days in the capital of La Rioja region. Arrive on the 28th to witness the entire town partying through the night. The following day sees revelers climb five kilometers en masse up to the stunning San Felices Hermitage sanctuary, which offers a breathtaking view of the famed vineyards as the backdrop to the notoriously fun “wine battle.”

Lucerne Festival, Luzern, Switzerland, Various Dates

This year, the prestigious 75-year-old festival of classical and contemporary concerts is themed upon “PrimaDonna” and primed to explore gender imbalance by bringing female artistes into the spotlight, including eleven conductors and myriad composers, as well as witnessing the return of the world-famous Lucerne Festival Orchestra, which is rife with renowned musicians from all over the globe.