29 Sep 2016
Throughout the winter season which runs from late November until early May, the mountain resorts of France are host to a huge spectrum of world class events. Both inclusive fun events in which holidaymakers can participate themselves and spectator events with a really broad appeal are on offer. Winter 2016-2017 sees some mega mountain music festivals, fabulous visual spectacles, once-in-a-lifetime experiential events and a range of surprising sports events to provide an extra exclamation point to a ski holiday.
LA GRANDE PREMIERE, VAL THORENS 26TH-27TH NOVEMBER 2016
Along with Val d'Isère and Tignes, Val Thorens is the first resort of the season to fire up its lifts, on November 26th. Winter 2016 sees a new opening weekend fiesta celebrating all things snow with parties, gear testing of everything from ski touring to snowboard equipment, the Rock On Snowboard tour and plenty more across the weekend.
RISE FESTIVAL, LES 2 ALPES 10TH-17TH DECEMBER 2016
Now into its third year, this mountain music festival hosted by the organisers of Ibiza Rocks is one for the dance music fans. The 2016 edition- headlined by grime godfather Kano and house & techno maestro Seth Troxler promises to be the biggest yet, with stages all over the resort, legendary day parties at après ski bars across the ski area and all-night after parties at the clubs in town.
GRANDE ODYSSÉE SAVOIE MONT BLANC, 7TH-19TH JANUARY 2017
The most spectacular dog-sledding race in the world, the 2017 edition spans two weeks, 10 stages and a dozen resorts, including Les Carroz, Les Gets, Megève, La Plagne, Val Cenis, Aussois and Bonneval sur Arc.
INTERNATIONAL ICE AND SNOW SCULPTURE COMPETITION, VALLOIRE 10TH – 20TH JANUARY 2017
The world's best ice and snow sculptors descend on the charming village of Valloire to create their masterpieces. Visitors can watch the master craftsmen at work, before the final sculptures are presented and judged- accompanied by a light and music show, fireworks and torch-lit descent.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF PYROTECHNIC ART, COURCHEVEL 9TH FEBRUARY-2ND MARCH 2017
The Grand Finale of the world-class firework demonstration competition. To celebrate the resort's 70th birthday, the winners from the past 4 years face off in an epic battle to name the world's finest pyrotechnic artist. The four finalists hail from the UK, Austria, France and Italy.
6 STATIONS RUGBY SEVENS TOURNAMENT, 13TH-19TH FEBRUARY 2017
An epic rugby sevens tournament on snow featuring legends of the sport, played in 6 resorts including Valmorel, La Clusaz and Val Thorens. Past players include legends Shane Williams (WAL), Serge Betsen (FRA), Simon Shaw (ENG) and Iain Balshaw (ENG). The 2017 edition promises to be a big hit, full of big hits!
SKI WITH EAGLES FESTIVAL, VAL D'ARLY 27TH FEBRUARY – 2ND MARCH 2017
Eagles, owls, vultures and hawks from the Les Aigles du Léman animal park come to Val d'Arly where you will see them on the slopes. Not to be missed is the “Ski with Eagles” activity, in which participants complete a ski descent accompanied by an eagle and falconer.
SKICOLOR, LES GETS 11TH MARCH 2017
Inspired by the Color Run event, Skicolor- now into its 3rd year- is an event which paints the mountains in technicolour. Participants ski down a run through explosions of coloured powder, the goal being to cross the line as colourfully as possible!
*SKIING INTO SPRING* ROCK THE PISTES /SNOWBOXX FESTIVAL, LES PORTES DU SOLEIL/AVORIAZ 19TH-26TH MARCH 2017
Rock The Pistes is a free music festival with headliners playing on stages dotted about the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. The festival features an eclectic range of acts to reflect the breath-taking variety of locations. Former headliners include rave-rock band Klaxons, Pete Doherty's Babyshambles and Reggae/Dub pioneer Lee Scratch Perry.
Snowboxx takes place in Avoriaz in parallel and is more targeted to dance music fans, although 2016's standout performer was Grime superstar Stormzy! The 2017 sees festival favourites Basement Jaxx headline.
Combined, the two festivals cover the whole musical spectrum and represent the ultimate mountain music festival combo!
*SKIING INTO SPRING* SUBLI'CIMES, LA PLAGNE 5TH-18TH APRIL 2017
One of the flagship Skiing Into Spring events, La Plagne decks out its 7 summits in a remarkable range of themes. Expect bungee jumping, reindeer, saunas, jacuzzisn beach bars and the world's highest pop-up beauty salon at the top of the mountains across La Plagne's vast ski area!
-ENDS-
Note for editorial teams: France Montagnes is an agency whose remit is to promote the mountains of France as a tourist destination. For further information about the French mountains in winter or in summer, please contact Matt Carr at the offices of Atout France in London, at matt.carr@atout-france.fr or on 0207 061 6623
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