Go Away! To Snowbombing '11

It's rumoured the snow could be here until March, that is if the forecasters are to be believed. Of course, after the past couple of winters we're now so accustomed to taking our lives in our hands just walking to the bus stop that it's possible we've even been developing a fetish for the white powdery stuff.

Well, should the pangs of longing prove difficult to dissipate come the anticipated April thaw, allow us to recommend Snowbombing '11. Here, in the baroque mountain village of Mayrhofen, Austria, do descend thousands of hedonistic reprobates, seemingly on secondment from Ibiza. Snowbombing began life in 2000 as a dance/DJ-based festival, but has expanded its line-up to include acts from the indie-rock camp, however, the emphasis still remains on the former. The self-proclaimed 'Greatest Show on Snow' is a week-long maelstrom, involving daredevil days on the piste, and loud and lairy nights on the... oh dear.

This year's acts are headlined by The Prodigy, with perennial favourite Fat Boy Slim also making an appearance. The Skinny favourites Toddla T and Dan le Sac V Scroobius Pip are also on the bill, as is, rather excitingly, Hell's Kitchen also ran Ms Dynamite. 'Bonus Bonkerism' includes treats ranging from a sky high igloo rave to an open-air gathering in a forest, from a secret backcountry bash to Austria's biggest fancy dress street party. Snowbombing '11 is sold as an accommodation and entertainment package, meaning the event wristband is included in the price of your accommodation (which includes the option of igloos!), and prices for this vary considerably depending on budget and penchant for luxurious extras such as evening meals, but then eating's cheating anyway.

Getting there:

A Volvo Snowbombing Road Trip with hired car (guess which marque?) and organised events en route is available from the UK for £219 (return ferry included). Executive coaches depart from a variety of English cities (not Scottish alas) for approx £120 return, whilst flights to Salzburg and Munich (with airport transfer services in operation) are available from Edinburgh (see www.beoutgoing.com for prices).