Here’s a list of some of the best spring festivals in Europe put together by Rad Season.

Sónar Reykjavík

Forget the 40 degrees heat and the hot beers. Sónar Reykjavík is all about geysers, northern lights and a plethora of amazing artists.

Now in its seventh edition, the festival is unmissable both for the vastness of the program and for the location. The Harpa Concert Hall is one of the most evocative examples of Northern Europe architecture and Iceland is not one of the coolest destination of the region. In Reykjavík you can can find a craft vodka distillery just 40km from the city and you can enjoy the local public heated swimming pool for free.

When & where: March 18-20, 2019 – Reykjavík, Iceland

Snowbombing, Austria

For those who love music and snowboarding, Snowbombing is a must. This famous Austrian festival has been perfectly combining the two since 2000. Riding the slopes at day and partying at night is an April tradition in Mayrhofen, a lush Austrian sky resort town.

You will be partying in the strangest of places, from forest clearings to alpine farmsteads and an igloo village. The lineup is varied, with something for everyone from electronic DJs to indie live acts. Bring your best party jacket but make sure it is designed for extreme weather conditions.

When & where: April 8-13, 2019 – Mayrhofen, Austria

Lost & Found Festival, Malta

If you are not the snow type, you can enjoy the an early taste of summer in Malta. Curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Lost and found Malta is an electronic festival celebrating club culture outside of the icy club scenes of Berlin and London.

This year on it’s 5th edition, Lost & Found brings high quality, international artists in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea to let you enjoy world class electronic music in between pool-parties, boat-parties and even a castle rave. A high-energy festival perfect to unwind during spring break. Are you ready to pack shades and bikinis for one of the raddest festivals in Europe?

When & where: May 2-5, 2019 –  St Paul’s Bay, Malta

Nuits Sonores, France

A 360 degrees creativity festival, Nuits Sonores takes over the city of Lyon in eastern France each May for more then 10 years now. From experimental techno and electronic music to graphic design and contemporary art, this is the place to be to expanding ones cultural horizons. The festival events are spread over 40 iconic public spaces of the city.

The lineup is firmly rooted in the underground, showcasing both internationally celebrated artists and emerging talents across three days and four nights. Every year, the festival welcomes three established names to curate the daytime festivities: in 2019 it is the time for Bonobo, Peggy Gou, Maceo Plex and Lena Willikens.

When & where: May 28 – June 2, 2019 – Lyon, France

The Great Escape, United Kingdom

The Great Escape is a showcase for new music, mixed with well-known artists, both for the festival goers and for the industry insiders. Brighton, probably the cutest seaside city of the United Kingdom will be literally invaded by music for 3 days: 450 artists, 30 city venues plus a huge (double) location on the beach.

The lineup showcases the future of pop and alternative music, including emerging names ranging from South Korea to Canada, from Australia to Portugal, with British representation. The genres go from the Indian electronics to rap. Between a dj set by Laurel Halo, the rough guitars of Goat Girl and the psychs of Chileans The Ganjas, the advice is to venture through the dense program in search of the musical discovery of the year.

When & where: May 9-11, 2019 – Brighton, UK

Primavera Sound, Spain

The last event of the spring season is probably one of the better known and most loved in Europe. Barcelona’s Primavera Sound is an indie rock giant event which also features some dance and electronic music.

The festival keeps its roots under the wide canopy of world class rock, with this year headliners including Future, Janelle Monáe, Nas and Rosalía. But also giving rising artists an international platform to perform. Primavera Sound is one of those massive events that can leave you a bit drained, but try to save some energy to explore Barcelona, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

When & where: May 30 – June 1, 2019 – Barcelona, Spain

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This multi-faceted destination has been in our portfolio for years and we have run some memorable corporate events there in the past. That’s why, when our client suggested Morocco, we immediately thought of Agafay desert.

What is Agafay desert?

This desert is located about 1 hour drive from Marrakech and covers several hundred hectares. Since several years now, it has become the place to be for visitors coming to Marrakech. The landscape is impressive, with rock dunes and a breathtaking view of the mountains during the winter.

What to do in Agafay desert?

One of the most incredible activities in Agafay desert is enjoying an exceptional night in one of the camps. There is a wide choice of accommodation: domes, lodges, or tents. This is a great way to admire the beautiful sunset and dine under the starry sky of Agafay.

If only spending the day, a great option is a lunch or dinner by the pool in one of the camps with a panoramic view of the desert. This is also a great opportunity to try the delicious Moroccan cuisine.

In the mood for some exploration? It’s time for a quad ride! This is by far the best way to discover the most beautiful landscapes of Agafay desert, while taking a tea break in a traditional bivouac.

And finally, for those looking for something unique, a camel ride will take you to the heart of Agafay in the most authentic of ways.

{ Source: Marrakechbestof.com }

One thing’s for sure: we can’t wait to write up the agenda for this Moroccan event!

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Our calendar overflowed with events and we probably had one of the busiest months of March ever, with 9 events across France, Austria, Italy and the UK. Here is a photographic overview of the places we have visited with our clients since the beginning of winter.

Val d’Isère

We started off visiting one of the most renowned ski resorts in France. Val d’Isère is known for its big party scene and it’s home to the first Folie Douce ever built. We found some great snow conditions and weather!

Verbier

When in Verbier, try the Rösti! This Swiss ski resort is impressive in size and quality of the skiing. That said, we still prefer the French cuisine…

Courmayeur

Finally, a little jump on the sunny side of Mont Blanc. Courmayeur never disappoints: the weather is often sunny indeed, and if it’s not, you can always get into a fancy après bar or a wooden restaurant on the slopes to eat delicious food. Our n.1 recommended restaurant on the slopes: Maison Vieille.

Chamonix

Chamonix is our base and we will always consider it the best ski resort in the world! We ran several events in Chamonix this winter and our clients stayed in great hotels as well as fabulous private chalets. Look at that stunning view! Not too bad for a lunch spot, is it?

London

If Chamonix is indeed our new home, most of the Ten80 team is originally from the UK and has spent a part of their life in London. That’s why it is always so emotional to go back with our clients. We ran this event at 180 The Strand, an inspiring venue for a very inspiring conference!

St Anton

If you are looking for a party spot in the Alps, look no further than St Anton. This resort is legendary for its crazy après, and we are sure our clients could confirm! In the picture: Krazy Kanguruh, the most well-known après spot in St Anton.

Flaine

And finally, Flaine. This French ski resort is not one of the most well-known, but it certainly delivers in terms of skiing and value for money. It was a great resort to close off our season and get a bit nostalgic already.

We are now off to some well-deserved rest for a few weeks but we will back soon, running our summer events and organising our next ski season. We can’t wait for another amazing winter in the Alps!

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Although Flaine might not get the sparkly reputation of resorts like Chamonix, we do think it deserves some credit as it proved to be a solid destination for events. This article on onthesnow.co.uk does a good job listing Flaine’s perks. Here’s a summary of the main ones.

The historical side

Purpose built in the 1960s in a large bowl of powder facing West and aptly nicknamed the “big snowy bowl”, Flaine offers the widest range of skiing in the Grand Massif ski area. The resort is not the most picturesque and for some visitors the architecture is too much to take. But if you can ignore the concrete buildings and focus on the fluffy white stuff, you’ll find a resort with excellent facilities. The village centre is mainly car free, compact and convenient.

The cultural side

Flaine is regarded as a cultural landmark in France having been designed in the Bauhuas style by architect Marcel Breuer. As a result, it is a hub for modern arts and at the bottom of the slopes there’s a range of art by abstract artists, the most notable piece being a large Picasso sculpture of a woman’s head. In recent years, the resort has also undergone a number of refurbishments. The Totem, a hotel originally designed by Breuer, has been revamped and rebranded as the ultra-cool and minimalist Hotel Terminal Neige Totem.  

The economical side

Among Flaine’s many attractions, is that it’s a resort that won’t break the bank. There are plenty of low-cost accommodation options available to appeal to a hip crowd of skiers who are more appreciative of Flaine’s artistic credentials than previous visitors. Newer chalet style accommodation is also available.

We do hope to keep Flaine in our destination portfolio for the winters to come. Experiencing quirky or less well-known ski resorts is part of our job, and one that we certainly appreciate!

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Rock the Pistes is a pop/rock festival in the French-Swiss Portes du Soleil ski resort. For a whole week, spectators can enjoy live concerts by international artists right on the ski slopes, in the middle of the mountain.

This year the festival runs from 12th to 18th March. The program is quite impressive:

12/03 Morzine-Les Gets – Martin Solveig
13/03 Morzine-Les Gets – Suzane
14/03 Châtel – MØME
15/03 Montriond-Les Lindarets-Domaine skiable Avoriaz – Klingande
17/03 Châtel – Eagle Eye Cherry
18/03 Morgins – La P’tite Fumée
18/03 Morgins – Étienne De Crécy

Concerts happen during the day on ephemeral stages all over the ski area and are only accessible by skiing. There are also after-ski concerts in the afternoon, for a total of 35 live concerts during the week.

This unique festival is accessible with a Ski Concert Pass (Portes du Soleil ski pass), which is available at all the ski lifts of the 12 Portes du Soleil resorts.

In short, Rock the Piste festival is: 5 major artists in concerts on the slopes at 1:30 pm (warm-up DJ sets at 12:45 pm) + 30 après-ski concerts in the heart of the resorts with emerging artists from the international scene. A truly sensational event not to be missed!

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As explained in this article by Chamonix All Year, skiing the Vallée Blanche is an incredible, high-altitude off-piste experience. This route descends from the top of the Aiguille du Midi, at 3,842m altitude, down to Chamonix, 2,800m below. It is most famous for its spectacular glaciated terrain. As such, you need a minimum of knowledge of alpinism and the local environment, and you must be well-equipped.

Access for Skiing Vallée Blanche

Historically, the best conditions to take on this route are from January to May depending on the snow cover. To access the starting point at 3,842m you must take two cable cars from the centre of Chamonix to the top of the Aiguille Du Midi.

The cable cars are included on your Chamonix ski pass if you have the full area Mont Blanc Unlimited pass. In high season you can also reserve a cable car in advance at a time to suit your itinerary – usually one of the first few for a full day and fresh lines!

Initiation: the Arête

The ridge that connects the Aiguille du Midi to the Vallée Blanche is a test of nerve ahead of meeting the departure point for your day’s adventures. Consider it your initiation for an adrenaline-packed day!

Not for those with a fear of heights, there is a 150m hike across a ridge line that takes you to a wide platform, which opens directly to the Vallée Blanche.

You can put your vertigo at ease as, once the snow base builds up, you will be faced with a rope to hold onto and a groomed / maintained path about 1m wide (not necessarily level). Crampons are therefore often recommended by your guide, to whom you may be attached as an added security.

Once you reach the natural platform simply strap on your snowboard, or step into your skis. Don’t forget the time for a quick photo! You are surrounded by the breathtaking peaks of the Chaine du Mont Blanc, now closer than ever.

In good company: your guide

The Vallée Blanche is an off-piste, unmarked route which takes place on a glaciated high-mountain terrain. Supervision by a qualified high mountain guide is the safest way to fully enjoy the snow and views. From experience, your guide will choose the best route for your level and share their knowledge and history of the surrounding mountains.

Public groups are limited to a maximum of eight people, allowing the guide to provide personalised advice and ensure optimal progression. You will also be grouped together, either with other skiers or snowboarders, so that you can take the optimum route for each style.

Alternatively, you can hire a private guide. This is ideal if you want to try an alternate route, mix skiers and snowboarders, or create a special itinerary to make your ski dreams come true!

Skiing & snowboarding: your level

Skiing the Vallée Blanche should not be your first foray into off-piste skiing, but you don’t have to be an expert either. There is something for all to enjoy as long as you can turn accurately and stop at will in unpredictable off-piste conditions.

You will also need a decent level of both cardio fitness and ski fitness. Not only is there roughly 25km of variable skiing conditions, there’s either lengthy stairs or a hefty hike out towards the end.

It is said that the technical difficulty of the Vallée Blanche (Classique) is similar to that of a red piste. Much like any popular piste in good conditions, there is the potential for moguls to develop. Moguls may slow the rhythm of snowboarders in particular, however skiers should also know how to navigate them with ease.

Snowboarders must also be wary of long flat traverses that may require poles. Meanwhile, skiers must know how to control their speed, side-slip confidently, and make parallel turns.

The way down: skiing Vallée Blanche routes

1. The Classique. This is the easiest route technically and the most “tracked” or travelled line. It follows the slower route in the heart of the great labyrinth of glaciers: the glacier du Géant, the Tacul glacier and the Mer de Glace. Making your way across the arête, and the sometimes delicate passage of seracs before joining the Mer de Glace, constitute the main technical difficulties.
2. The “True / Vrai Vallée Blanche”. This historic route is located between the Vallée Blanche Classique and Envers and offers a course in the heart of ice formations. This is a beautiful route famous for spectacular turquoise ice structures and small seracs. It requires a good level of skiing due to its constant proximity to crevasses.
3. The Petit Envers. A nice alternative to the classic Vallée Blanche, penetrating between the “True Vallée Blanche” and the Envers du Plan glacier. This itinerary is a wonderful option for skiers who want to graduate from the True Vallée Blanche, without being too technical.
4. The Grand Envers. Want to ski steep slopes reserved for very good skiers? This is the route for you. With slopes at 45° and the reputation for being the most beautiful (and difficult) route of the valley. Take off directly from the arête onto the Envers du Plan glacier. This route is technically demanding with a mix of slopes and passages between large seracs.

The final stretch: Montenvers train vs Buvette des Mottets

When the Vallée Blanche is coming to an end your guide will decide between two finishes, based on conditions.

1. Either hike out of the Vallée Blanche to join the ski piste that will take you back to Chamonix,
2. Or climb the steps to join the Montenvers train which will take back to Chamonix town centre.

If in late spring, you can’t ski back down to Chamonix due to snow conditions and you will have to take the train. You might also choose the Montenvers train for its history and views. But remember you’ll still need to take on roughly 400+ steps to reach the cable car, which will link you to the train station.

Alternatively, should there be plenty of snow, after fifteen minutes of steep tiresome hiking you will reach the Buvette des Mottets at 1,638m. Formerly on the edge of the glacier, it is now over a hundred metres away. The hike joining the two skiing sections is increasing each year, as the Mer de Glace retreats.

Once you reach the top you can stop for a drink or picnic with breathtaking views on the west side of the Aiguille des Drus. Then, head down a fun (boardercross-like) forest trail descent back to Chamonix!

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