'I went to ski festival with fancy dress, boozy brunches and secret parties'

01 December 2023 , 16:27

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Snowboxx is a must-visit if you love partying and skiing

Three life-sized flamingos finish their pints at an igloo bar and then strap on their skis and pelt down a powdery piste. No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke but a normal day in the Alps during Snowboxx festival.

On one side of the mountain in Avoriaz, France, people in various states of dress from Tiger King to inflatable safari animals and tutus over salopettes glide through the fresh powder from the previous night's snowfall, marking the start of the dress-up day; one of the festival's many activities, and a competitive one with prizes for the best outfits. On the other side, hangovers are soothed by sunloungers scattered in the pedestrianised snowy toy town. Snowboxx, a week-long skiing and music festival is not for the faint-hearted.

The festival makes for an extraordinary ski holiday

I was one of 6,000 skiers, snowboarders and partiers who took over the Ports Du Soleil resort in March, where you can put skis on at the hotel door and ski directly to the piste. Days were packed with bottomless brunch, beer pong, bingo and secret parties on the slopes. At night DJs like Hannah Wants, Shy FX, DJ EZ, and Mike Skinner from the Streets performed at five stages nestled in the foot of the mountains.

Avoriaz is the only fully pedestrianised resort in France and without sounding trite, it really was the perfect location for a festival. Not only does it boast impressive snowfall and 600km of ski runs to choose from - including one of the steepest slopes in the world - but it also has seriously impressive apres-ski game in the various bars and restaurants on the main square.

Mirror reporter Rachel at Folie Douce for apres (Rachel Hagan)

Mirror reporter Rachel on the slopes in Avoriaz (Rachel Hagan)

Rachel Hagan