1 European Gay Ski Week
Les Arcs, France, 23-30 March 2019
As the name suggests, this rather fabulous 'snowmosexual' festival is lively, inclusive and serious fun - think first-class boarding and skiing with extra pool parties, cabaret shows and raucous apres thrown in. EGSW has been touring the Alps for ten years now and this year the festival descends on Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 in France. Ski lessons and accommodation packages mean there's something for solo travellers and big groups alike. europeangayskiweek.com
2 Snowbombing
Mayrhofen, Austria 8-13, April 2019
Europe's biggest and arguably best snowsports festival. Snowbombing is an ice-cold mashup of world-class DJs and bands and Mayrhofen's idyllic winter scenery and extensive ski area. For its 20th birthday, Snowbombing promises a week of 100+ acts, igloo raves, enchanted forest parties and Austria's largest fancy dress street party. Perfect if you're not into slumming it at summer festivals - how about a posh chalet to head home to each night? A must if you love your tunes as much as your annual fix of snow. snowbombing.com
3 World Ski and Snowboard Festival
Whistler, Canada 2019 date TBC
Once called "the snowsport industry's version of Burning Man" by Ski Magazine, WSSF is the biggest winter celebration in North America, descending on Whistler each winter like a ton of very festive bricks. The details of 2019's party are all very much to be confirmed after the running of the festival was taken over by Vail Resorts last year, but previous events have included ski and snowboard big air competitions, over 50 free gigs and photo and film competitions. wssf.com
4 Rock the Pistes
Portes du Soleil, France and Switzerland ,17-23 March 2019
The toughest bit of Rock the Pistes is deciding if you want to party in France or Switzerland - gigs by the best pop acts in the world take place at different venues and resorts across both countries, and they're all free if you have a Portes du Soleil lift pass. Our favourite bit? The massive, two-day treasure hunt across the entire Portes du Soleil ski area you can complete in between concerts. rockthepistes.com
5 Steamboat Winter Carnival
Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA, February 6-10 2019
Where the Wild West meets the white stuff. Each year the Colorado town of Steamboat Springs becomes a winter sports mecca, with everything from kids on skis being pulled by horses down Main Street to a cross-country obstacle race, children versus parents ski style competitions and ski jumpers performing tricks through fiery hoops, plus more street food stalls and apres parties than you can shake a whip at. It's a massive ski celebration. With cowboys. steamboatchamber.com
