The World’s Number One Alpine Comedy Festival, Altitude returns to Mayrhofen this year with their first ever Christmas edition. Here’s everything you need to know about the funniest show on snow (with added Ho Ho Ho!).

The Resort

Mayrhofen not only boasts some of Europe’s best skiing, but plenty of activities for non-skiers too. The town has a wealth of incredible hotels, pools & spas, and the local food and drink is not to be missed. For you active types, you can para-glide, trek, ride toboggans or alpine coasters and explore natural ice caves. If you’ve got any energy left, take a tour of a Schnapps brewery or the Zillertal Dairy, or head to one of the many clubs or bars in the resort and party into the small hours.

The Snow

If you’re worried about the snow… it’s SNOW PROBLEM. Altitude is putting on regular buses for festival-goers to Austria’s only year-round ski resort, The Hintertux Glacier, which is just up the road. As well as astonishing views and amazing restaurants, the Hintertux Glacier offers winter sports enthusiasts 60km of perfect, snow-sure runs 365 days of the year.

In Mayrhofen itself you’ll find the extensive ski area of Mount Penken which – with the ski resorts of Finkenberg, Rastkogel and Eggalm – is one of the largest in Austria. The Harakiri Piste with its 78% gradient – Austria’s steepest ski slope – is a special challenge for those who dare. Boarders and free skiers meet at Vans Penken Park, where 6 areas offer a wide choice of terrain for every level of ability, pros and rookies alike.

The Festival

Altitude was put together a decade ago by comedians Marcus Brigstocke and Andrew Maxwell to cunningly combine their two biggest passions – comedy and winter sports. Over the last 10 years Altitude has snowballed (eh?) into a highly accomplished festival attracting the world’s top comedy talent.

What’s truly unique about the festival is how intimate it is. Whilst past headliners such as Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr, John Bishop, Bill Bailey, Tim Minchin, Lee Mack, Al Murray, Kevin Bridges and Frankie Boyle have filled arenas with ease in the UK, you can see them up-close and personal at Altitude, in venues that hold just a few hundred people. Mayrhofen’s relatively small size also means the comedians tend to spend the week mingling with audiences both on the slopes and in the bars, leading to a great deal of snowy silliness and après-ski hilarity.

The Line Up

Altitude has become one of the most sought after comedy shows on the planet – for the comedians. Acts confirmed so far include Andrew Maxwell, Zoe Lyons, Andy Askins, Daniel Sloss, Glenn Wool, Craig Campbell, Nick Cody, Kai Humphries, Barry Castagnola, Oh My God! It’s The Church, Abandoman, Terry Alderton, and The International Impro Allstars.

There are still more acts to be announced, including a comedy giant, guaranteeing that the first ever Altitude Christmas will be one to remember.

The Festive Bits

As well as our usual combination of winter sports, amazing comedy and nights spent partying, Altitude Christmas is going to be a very different festival with new experiences, new venues, new shows, new slopes and new acts as we celebrate a traditional Austrian Christmas.

The enchanting Advent in the Forest market is filled with festive stalls where you can enjoy a hot cup of tea or a glass of organic wine as well as local produce such as smoked sausage, farmhouse bread, cheese and much more.

The forest will host musical performances by brass bands, heritage groups, choirs, carol singers and an open fireplace in the middle of the Forest Festival Area, allowing you to ignite your festive spirit whilst sitting by an open fire and listening to Austrian Christmas music.

The Original Silent Disco are throwing two electrifying parties at Altitude…The first is a Silent Disco ON ICE! We don’t know about you, but the opportunity to ice-skate (and fall over) to our favourite tunes sounds too good to miss out on. The second event they’re hosting looks to become the Highest Silent Disco ever – taking place at 3250m on top of the Hintertux Glacier.

The Festival of Lights

To celebrate the festive season, Altitude will be creating #LightUpMayrhofen. Out of a couple of tons of steel and metal, Altitude will produce a dazzling Festival of Lights. For one night only there will be a magical path beginning at the Penken Lift, transformed with fire, stunning fountains of water, hanging drops of light, symbolic Hot Heads and a mini fire-lit bandstand which will run the length of the street. The local shops, businesses and cafes will open up to reveal local artists in residence for the night. The stunning, illuminated path leads from the Enchanted Schellung Forest to the town of Mayrhofen with bewitching lights. There will even be free Austrian snacks, mugs of hot glühwein and traditional choirs to warm your Christmas cockles.

Getting There

The Atitude Comedy Festival in Mayrhofen brings the biggest names in comedy to one of Europe’s finest ski resorts – and we’re the official package provider. Flights depart on 10 December 2016 and you can choose to stay in any of our excellent Strass properties – Spa Hotel Strass, Aparthotel Strass, Hotel Strass Garni and Villa Strass. Just add a festival wristband to your package on the Extras stage of the booking flow, and you’re good to go.

Keep up with Crystal on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram or check out more from Altitude on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and their website – see you there.

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