Where am I? What day is it? And most importantly, what just happened? This is the normal ponderings of a week-long snowbomber who has just returned to reality. It’s not a simple task to shred all day and party all night at the annual festival that celebrates and combines these two things. We’d refer to it as a challenge and one that we were more than happy to take on when the snowbombing crew came knocking! We’d be surprised to hear of anyone returning from the festival without feeling dazed, the zombie faces on the transfer bus vouch for that. So, recovery mode over, somehow we’ve lived to tell the tale of ‘The Greatest Show on Snow’ … Snowbombing.
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Set in the beautiful Austrian Alps and Brit renowned resort of Mayrhofen, it’s a year round play paradise for us board orientated folk (with the glacier, skate park and winter snow). But come springtime, the valley opens it’s doors to people not necessarily in it for the snow, some are here purely for the party! It’s an interesting combo but no one judges at Snowbombing, which this year took place from the 1st to the 6th of April. It’s the start of the spring shred season and with the sun out (and a lot of festival go-ers hungover in bed) the mountains were quietly perfect and throughout the day snow turned to slush. Actually more people than you would think managed to party until the early hours and then swap bed for board before 10am (us included). Nothing cures a hangover better than the mountain air and a winter wake up!
Mayrhofen is the best resort for spring shred and when the sun is shining we couldn’t think of a better place to be. Over the valley from the town, there is a playground of mountainous area awaiting you and parks with features to suit all abilities. The Penken park attracts some skilled folk and a cool crew of girls up-ing the rad, so it’s as fun to be a spectator as a shredder. Plus during Snowbombing the Board Park Terrace was pumping out music from some class acts and the beer was flowing all day, every day to keep the colourful spectators content. We’ve never seen so much fancy dress in the snow; forget one piece snow-suits, you got to dress up as a whale to stand out here! It was the happiest of valleys where no other world need exist…
Until the lifts closed and the action moved into town… After the mountain each day, it was time to see what the party crowd were up to. A quick change-over as we swapped snowboard boots for trainers to run round all the venues and catch up with the rest of the crew. We saw Kasabian rocking out in the Rekorderlig forest. We spent an evening in an igloo, watching the sun-set and drinking Jager thanks to Barclaycard. We caught the end of DJ Yoda as he swapped his normal big venue for a little club. And we danced many a night away to miscellaneous music acts that kept our feet happy. Where else could you do all this in one place (plus bump into Eddie the Eagle and Pat Sharpe on a daily basis)! From drum & bass, garage, indie, house…there was literally something on every night to suit all!
This years Snowbombing brought the sun and the organisers brought the fun, making for one awesome trip. Warning, there is no rest for the wicked, it’s all about getting as many hours on the mountain as in the bars, enjoying the best of both worlds. You only live once eh! The event brings together a crowd like no other and gives non-snowboarders/skiiers the chance to see the beauty of the Alps. Whether you go to purely shred or purely party, it’s up to you, as long as you are having fun. That’s what it’s all about! So if you’re up for it next year, pack a bag full of fancy dress, plus your snowboard, skateboard and camera then get ready as there really is s’no place like it.
Thanks to Snowbombing for having us and Rekorderlig for all the cider. See you next year!
