Snowbombing Festival 2014: Snow, Sounds And Sleep Deprivation – The Ultimate Thrill Seeker's Festival

The space: Amidst the busy bars and shops, our hotel, The Mannis, was handily located in the centre of the town meaning that we were just a stone’s (or snowball’s) throw away from all the venues. The room, which we soon realised wouldn’t be seeing a lot of, was perfect for all your needs, boasting a beautiful view from it’s balcony while the hotel kitchen served a mean traditional breakfast ahead of a long day up the mountain.

The vibe: Everyone is up for a good time. Expect a plethora of fancy dress costumes no matter what time of day, friendly staff on hand both around the festival and in the town’s numerous bars, and general merriment being had by all. Oh and did we mention the mind blowing line-up including the likes of Groove Armada, The Prodigy, Foxes, Chase & Status and Skream? No? Well yeah, that’s pretty incredible too.

The damage: Early bird Snowbombing wristband for the week with accommodation starts at £219pp – so get in quick. Ski/Boarding hire and lessons can be quite pricey while food and drink is very reasonable, particularly Jagermeister which will end up being your go to shot one way or another.

The brag: Snowboarding while surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Austrian Alps before stopping off at a mountain top reggae bar with a rum punch in one hand and Mr Motivator DJing in the background. Yes, really.

The Instagram shot:

The Hits: Where do we start? Billed at the most unique festival experience, Snowbombing certainly lived up to its promise. Where it really excelled was the perfect combination of keeping you entertained throughout your time there.

During the day you could snowboard or ski, hang out at the Honda Snow Park terrace with a drink while watching the pros show off their skills, or simply enjoy all the joys of Apres skiing at one of many bars. By night there are series of exceptional venues on offer to watch the performances.

And when we say exceptional, we aren’t mincing our words. The Artic Disco (a club inside an igloo sat on top of a mountain), The Forest Party (where the headline acts play in the middle of an enchantingly lit wood), The Back Country Party (a traditional lumberjack shack deep in the valley playing disco music) or dressing up in Lederhosen at The Street Party are just a handful of the one-off venues on offer. You really are spoilt for choice. While you may be forced to deal with the ongoing hangover days after your return, the experience will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

The Misses: This is not an event for the sleepy. If you want to get everything you can out of the experience one thing should become apparent quite quickly – getting your recommended 8 hours wasn’t on the cards. A relaxing holiday this is not – but you wouldn’t want it any other way. Mayhrhofen may seem like a sleepy Austrian town, but like most thing, looks can be very deceiving.

To make the most of the snow, getting up out of your bed at the crack of dawn is essential. And for making the most of the phenomenal line-up of acts and DJ’s playing, going to bed at 4.30am is a non-negotiable.  While this was no problem for us, it may not sit well with those who enjoy their beauty sleep.

The deets: Tickets for next year’s festival are available now from the festival’s official site.