We have a confession to make: our name is Men’s Fitness, and we’re Snowbombingaholics. And if you go to the annual winter sports and music festival in the Austrian Alps, there’s a huge chance you will be too.
Though this is a fitness website intended to help you look and feel as best as you possibly can, it would be silly to assume that none of you reading this also like to have a few sherries every now and then, dance about like an idiot, and generally indulge in a light spot of debauchery. That’s OK, we do too.
But the problem with the majority of music festivals is the lack of anything substantial to do during the day. You feel like death warmed up your brain in a microwave. In most cases you emerge from a stinking tent and have to queue for half hour just for the privilege of paying three or four quid for a polystyrene cup of tea, and all you can really do to get through the hangover is get back on the beers. It’s terrible for your body, even worse for your mind, and burns a hole in your wallet faster than an excitable arsonist.
Snowbombing is different. Yes, you will spend five nights enjoying some of the best DJs and live acts the world has to offer, with music going through until 6am for the more diehard party-goers. But you get to wake up, a) in a hotel bed (or someone else’s if you’re lucky) and b) in the beautiful Austrian mountain town of Mayrhofen. Surrounded by snowy peaks, it doesn’t matter how bad you feel when you first open your eyes. You get your ski or snowboard gear on and head for the slopes.
The main cable car is conveniently situated in the centre of the town, and even more conveniently located right opposite Hans the Butcher’s shop. One of the finest meat purveyors in Europe, Hans sells chicken wings, schnitzels, frankfurters and a host of other delicious – and cheap – snacks that all deliver the salt, fat and protein your body craves after a night out.
Once up the mountain, miles and miles of runs greet you, ranging from gentle blues, winding reds and terrifying blacks (including the appropriately named Hara Kiri – one of Europe’s steepest runs with a 78% gradient at its most severe). You’re instantly rejuvenated thanks to the crisp air, incredible scenery and challenge of getting down in one piece. It beats sitting round on fold-out chairs listening to your campsite neighbours play that ‘sick tune’ they never seem to tire of while incessantly huffing balloons, that’s for sure.
If your party spirit does make an early comeback, you can choose from the Arctic Disco (an igloo that doubles up as a club at night hosting exclusive ticketed parties with the likes of Skrillex, MK and Carl Cox on the decks), Rompa’s Reggae Shack, or the Snow Park to listen to quality tunes while munching some lunch on the slopes.
The Snow Park is also a great place to have a laugh watching amateur skiers and snowboarders stack it attempting kickers and rails. It also plays host to some of the world’s best pro riders, who risk life and limb throwing themselves off massive ramps and pulling off insane – or gnarly, as they would say – tricks. On the Friday you can rub shoulders with the pros as money is on offer for any amateur who tries to make it across the Water Splash, a water-filled moat you need to skim over at speed if you don't want a dunking.
Back in Mayrhofen, sets start from around 7pm. The gigantic Racket Club has enough lasers, pyros and video screens to make NASA jealous, and plays host to most of the biggest headliners (this year’s highlights were party veteran Fat Boy Slim, Sigma doing a live show complete with band, and drum and bass legend Andy C playing a six-hour set across four decks). Europahaus – and our particular favourite venue, the small, yet vibing Bruck N’Stadl – host the freshest names in underground dance music, while the stunningly decorated Forest Party has crowd-pleasers such as Rudimental and 2ManyDJs.
You would think all this would cost a fortune, but with accommodation included in your ticket price that ranges from basic digs up to luxury suites, it doesn’t need to end up costing much more than a normal winter sports holiday. Especially if you’re on it and buy earlybird tickets as soon as they’re released. Let’s face it, you’ll probably still get involved with the après ski (aka drink horrendous amounts) if you go elsewhere, but rather than a line-up that reads like a who’s who of electronic music, you’ll be cringing as you hear Rihanna’s latest single for the umpteenth time. It's also highly unlikely you'll get to workout with Mister Motivator on top of a mountain, ski with Eddie the Eagle, rave in an igloo, or get kidnapped by balaclava-clad people and taken to a secret backckountry party!
The only downside? One time at Snowbombing and you’ll be addicted too. Don’t worry though, it definitely gets the Men's Fitness seal of approval as a healthier vice than any other festival going.
All images courtesy of Snowbombing 2015. Photography by Danny North, Richard Johnson, Andrew Whitton, Jenna Foxton
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