Posted on 07 September 2021
Photo Credit: Rock the Pistes
Is there anything better than snow, sun, and stunning views across a mountain range? Add in some live music on a festival stage, and you’ve got yourself the very best parts of festivals and the Alps, in the same place! Any festival lover wondering where to buy a ski property will quickly find out the best live music locations.
From Snowboxx to Tomorrowland, the Alps are home to some genuinely superb weekends of music and skiing. The blend of festivals and snow sports might not seem like a match made in heaven initially, but these mountaintop music masterpieces draw thousands of visitors every year. There’s even an Alpine Comedy Festival!
So, the question is where to buy a ski property if you love live music. Fortunately, we’re here to help!
Portes du Soleil
Between Morzine, Avoriaz, and the other resorts in the Portes du Soleil, the area is home to two fairly well-known festivals; Snowboxx and Rock the Pistes. Of all the French ski areas, the Portes du Soleil is one of the first you’ll think of if you’re looking for live music. As you’re a music lover looking at where to buy a ski property, it’s hard to overlook!
Snowboxx is actually based in Avoriaz, and it’s a hop, skip and a jump up there from busy, bustling Morzine. The festival is always hugely popular, with events and live music throughout Avoriaz and in the surrounding mountains. Aside from the main stage, there’s also an après ski party hosted by the good folks at the Folie Douce and a mountaintop igloo stage where you’ll find globally famous DJs.
Rock the Pistes, by comparison, is held across the Portes du Soleil ski area, in both the French resorts and the Swiss. The festival isn’t just about the five concerts held in mountaintop locations you can only reach on skis, although that is the most important part of it. The resorts in the Portes du Soleil are home to a whole range of après-ski concerts you’ll be able to enjoy at the end of the day. This is five days of full-on, live music madness you’ll love if you buy a ski property here!
Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez might not have the range of music festival goodness that the Portes du Soleil can boast, but as the home of Tomorrowland, it’s got one of the best. Tomorrowland is billed as the festival of the future, but what’s really remarkable is the 3330m stage! You’ll dance to live music at an altitude so high that only one other festival can match it.
Tomorrowland is one for the electro lovers, rather than the rock and roll you might find at Rock the Pistes. After you’ve partied up the mountain, you’ll be able to head to the Tomorrowland stages in the village. The music on the mountain during the day is all free for everyone to enjoy, so if you’re wondering where to buy a ski property with access to great events, this will be your bag.
Alpe d’Huez is a high altitude, snow-sure, family favourite, and it’s already a great option for anyone looking to buy a ski property. The presence of such a popular music festival is the icing on the cake!
Verbier
Well known for its excellent après ski scene, which has always featured great live music and DJs, it should be no surprise to see Verbier making the cut here. The classic Verbier après ski at the Farinet is famous for its’ excellent live band. When it comes to dancing in your ski boots, to a live band, there’s nowhere quite like this.
Verbier is also home to the Polaris Festival, although the last few years have seen the festival temporarily close its’ doors. This is an early-season event, taking place in late November. It hits the ground running with techno music galore. Handily, as Verbier is home to several live music bars, this is the resort to go to if you’re looking for a whole range of music styles at your fingertips.
Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana, unlike Verbier, is not famous for its’ live music. It is, however, the home of the Caprices Festival. This is an award-winning mountaintop festival, voted best international festival in 2018, and it’s a two-weekend-long musical extravaganza for your ears. If you’re looking for where to buy a ski property you can pop out to for a weekend, Crans-Montana might already have made your list.
This a super weekendable resort, so if you’re too busy to stick around for the full ten-day festival you can pop home and then come back out for the next weekend of music. After all, when it comes to buying a ski property in a resort with live music on hand, not much can beat an award-winning festival!
Chamonix
Chamonix has more than a few things going for it in the live music stakes. The town is home to a few excellent bands, a thriving local DJ scene, and Chamonix’s very own music studio. That said, two events stick out above the rest; Chamonix Unlimited Festival and Musilac. These two excellent, although very different, events are staples of the annual calendar.
Chamonix Unlimited Festival is predominantly electro, and it’s sponsored by local ski behemoth Black Crows. The festival takes place in three main locations, as well as at countless officially organised after-parties. One afternoon traditionally takes place at the Aguille du Midi, the highest lift accessed point in Europe, where you’ll dance away at breathtaking altitude. Other events include a sun-drenched, south-facing mountain stage, DJ sets in a lift station, and a pool party or two.
Musilac, by contrast, attracts more mainstream acts than the house, electro, and techno focused Cham Unlimited. Musilac Mont-Blanc has featured Rag and Bone Man, Two Door Cinema Club, and Editors. The Mont Blanc edition of the festival is a spin-off of the larger and better-known Aix les Bains festival during summer. Although it’s not as well established as the summertime original, it has been hugely popular in the years since it debuted.
Music lovers and skiers looking at where to buy a ski property can check out these resorts and more in our listings. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts for advice. Good Luck!