Bid farewell to the ski season in style
Take to the slopes for the best late-season ski festivals around the world:
Caprices Festival hits the decade mark
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Caprices Festival will take place from March 8th to 16th 2013 in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Internationally renowned artists across all music genres take to the stage and perform to an ever-growing allegiance of festival fans. Big names such as Björk, Portishead, Fatboy Slim and The Killers all feature on the line-up, alongside up-and-coming acts looking to make their name. The appeal of the festival is intensified by the venue itself: the ski resort of Crans Montana. Set high above the Rhône valley on a south-facing plateau, the resort enjoys stunning views with some superb intermediate terrain and tops the list for sunshine skiing.
Get your Gruv on
Over in Utah, the Canyons Spring Gruv event returns for the sixth year, bringing together free music concerts, full-on entertainment and fun-filled special events. The action kicks off on March 23rd 2013 with the wacky pond-skimming contest. With extensive terrain, a modern infrastructure, new accommodation options and the latest in lift systems, it’s clear why Canyons transformation continues to flourish. Access to Park City and Deer Valley ski areas adds to the appeal and makes it easier to explore with the three resort pass.
Music at the Matterhorn
Marking the end of the ski season in one of the world’s top ski resorts is the Zermatt Unplugged festival, which takes place from April 9th – 13th 2013. Setting it apart from other festivals is the music. It is dedicated to creating a more relaxed and chilled atmosphere rather than playing the heaviest beats to the hardest party heads. On the line-up this year is Morcheeba, Umberto Tozzi, Bryan Ferry and Skunk Anansie on the Marquee stage, with Marianne Faithful topping the bill at the smaller ‘Sunnegga Sessions’ concerts performed at 2288m. In the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn, the skiing is as dramatic as the scenery with immaculate slopes, reliable snow conditions and plenty of alpine charm to add to the festival mix.
40 years for Vossa Jazz Festival
Music festivals marking the end of the ski season have gained popularity over the last decade but the resort of Voss in Norway proudly marks 40 years of the Vossa Jazz Festival this year. From March 30th to April 1st, this internationally-acclaimed jazz festival strikes a balance between international jazz and home-grown Norwegian talent. As one of the largest and most well-known Norwegian ski resorts, Voss is dominated by Mount Hangur and the captivating Lake Vang. Skiing in Voss feels like a breath of fresh air, with crowd-free slopes, no lift queues and a highly reputable ski school.
Retro revival in Åre for the SkiStar Hot Dog Challenge
As one of the more theatrical contests of the winter season, the Swedish resort of Åre invites all to participate in the Hot Dog Challenge. On April 28th 2013 usual ski attire is substituted with retro style ski gear; the more outrageous the better. It’s taking part that counts and the winner of the race isn’t the first past the line but the best dressed. Skiing in Åre, Scandinavia’s world-class ski resort, is unique and so different from the usual European skiing experience. The slopes offer perfect intermediate tree-lined terrain but it is off the slopes where the resort triumphs too. Aside from the usual activities like snowmobiling and tobogganing, the resorts offering includes ice-driving, zip-lining, snow-kiting and even moose kissing!
Want to book a last minute ski break? Visit www.skisafari.com.