Week-long Alpine Festival April 4-12, 2010

As I stepped out of the bus, with a very sore bottom, after a breathtaking 23 hour bus journey, I was in awe of my surroundings.

Austria was a new country for me, the only time I had ever seen it was from the sound of music! Surprisingly, this is exactly what it looks like and I found it hard to acknowledge I was here for a skiing holiday, especially as it was 14 degrees.

The scenery was phenomenal, green meadows everywhere that go on for miles with little streams running through them, farming animals grazing, and then random bubble cars up to the snow capped peaks in the distance. France was always my family hotspot for skiing, but this experience made me realise there are plenty more places out there.

A simple and smooth check-in procedure enabled me to pick up my festival wristband, lug my enormous bag down to my B and B and pick up my ski gear for the next weeks antics. I was very apprehensive of what the festival would entail, would I even make the pistes for the first lift up every morning? The B and B manager certainly didn't think so when I chirped 'see you for breakfast' he simply laughed and scuttled off. Did he know something I was completely unaware of?

I ventured out into the village, hunting for a place to eat. I chose the busiest restaurant, called 'Mannis, a pizzeria. Typical English student on a hunt for take-away food!

I sat outside in a big wooden chair, definitely hand carved, covered in a large sheepskin rug, I was in heaven. When the waiter handed me the menu, literally the size of the bible, I was worried if I'd even make any of the music that evening! Being famous for its pizza I had to go for it; this was not like any take-away, it was incredible. Not only was the food fantastic the service was brilliant too, I just wish I had enough money to tip! Through the week I tried a few other restaurants, they were all delicious, and especially the ones up in the mountains, where soup was an everyday treat!

This magical festival takes place in one of Austria's best ski resorts, with not only the some of the best slopes but renowned for its quaint village and atmosphere. The locals were fantastic, on and off the slopes. I must admit I was impressed they were so welcoming, I am not sure I would be if my village was overtaken by 2000 youths looking for a serious week long party!

The whole festival was a great experience; I saw so many bands, form chart toppers like 'The Doves', 'The Enemy' and 'The Editors.' My favourite band from my hometown, St.Albans 'Friendly Fires. For a rather new and young band, they played a brilliant set and had at least 700 fans bopping up and down, in one of Snowbombing venues 'The Racket Club.' I can guarantee their music sales will increase after the performance they put on in Austria.

Snowbombing did not only invite bands to play, they had big time DJ's like '2many dj's', 'Vitalic' and headlining 'FatBoySlim' who came back with vengeance. FatBoySlim played in another fantastic venue in the heart of the Austrian forest. Surrounding by trees, fairy lights and wooden shacks serving up dancing fuel, especially Eristoff Vodka, the sponsor, the party was out of this world.

Each day had a fancy dress theme which added to the wonderland that the festival creators had already put together. Starting with fictitious or flirtatious, to come as you aren't, to Rubix cube, Mexican dawn of the dead and furry creatures of the night. Every festival goer had their own touch on each theme and it was a fantastic sight!

After the seven day alpine phenomenon I was exhausted, with 2.5hours hours sleep in 62 hours I hauled my huge bag up to the bus stop to embark on my bus journey back to London, something which I was not looking forward to. I was proud even with little sleep every night I had made the most of the festival, getting up in on the slopes for 8.30am to catch the best snow, heading down just in time to catch the infamous 'Mr Motivator' (off GMTV) for his warm down everyday, and partying long into the night. For a fussy eater, I even attempted to stomach one of Austrians famous delicacies 'Grillwurst', an Austrian sausage; probably due to the copious amounts of alcohol everyday, it was never good option.

The whole extravaganza was definitely worthwhile and something that I would recommend to anyone, young or old, just as long as you are up for a good time, with loud music, abundant energy and plenty of vodka!