V-Holidays: Altitude Festival 2009

  France, France
Tuesday, January 6, 2009

If you're planning to squeeze in a ski trip to the French Alps at the end of the season, make your way to the fabulous resort of Meribel for first-class snow action and belly laughs on the piste.

Featuring some of the biggest names in comedy, the annual Altitude Festival, runs in the beautiful resort of Meribel from 28th March- April 3rd 2009.



Co-created by British comedian Marcus Brigstocke, the Altitude Festival offers the ultimate in après-ski entertainment. This year's line-up features the cream of the British comedy crop, including Phil Jupitus, Ed Byrne, Andrew Maxwell, Lee Mack and Jenny Éclair.



Internationally acclaimed DJs, Brandon Block and Hed Kandi are also featured and the fellows from the Ministry of Sound are scheduled to play a set, too. While the full line up of bands won't be announced until mid-January, The Dub Pistols are top of the bill - and guaranteed to get the party started. Having gained much credibility after collaborations with Busta Rhymes, Ian Brown, Bono, Moby, and Terry Hall from The Specials, the band also scored a hit at music festivals this summer.



And if you speak the lingo, check out some of the French bands too -an intriguing mix of upcoming French acts have been drafted in to give the snowy festival that extra je ne sais quoi.

The highlights of the festivals, in addition to brilliant stand-up performances, include screenings of comedy films, gigs and a lot of messing around on the piste. Join your favourite comedians for some top entertainment on the slopes, including three legged ski-races, snowball fights and expression sessions.



On a more serious note, visiting Meribel at the end of the season also means you'll also get to watch the pro-skiers and snowboarders in action. The British Ski Championships takes place in the same week as the Altitude Festival... escapes to the piste don't come much better than this!

Watch this space
Last year's highlights included impromptu heated pool parties, The Highest Stand Up Gig Ever (at 2,800km) and a group invasion of the nearby Courcheval resort organised by Andrew Mar who insisted everyone dressed up in masks and capes.To get a feel for the festival, watch last years highlights:



Green giggles
Festival organisers are also aware of the environmental impact on the resort, and are aiming to make this year's Altitude comedy party, a carbon neutral festival. They are not only offering a lift-sharing service, but customers are being encouraged to travel by train. All the ski lifts in the resort are powered hydro-electrically, and there are many piste-cleaning parties currently being planned.

Getting there
If you're travelling by train, the nearest station to Meribel is Brides des Bains and the nearest airports are Lyon, Geneva or Grenoble.

Accommodation
PV-Holidayshas seven self-catering residences at very affordable prices in the starry, starry resort of Meribel.

Choose from a wide range of comfortable studios and apartments - all of which have modern kitchens and facilities, and are situated in the heart of the resort close to the ski lifts.

Hot offers
A stay for the entire festival (28th March- 3rd April) at PV-Holidays Residence Maeva Les Ravines, in a studio, which sleeps four people, cost from just £527. For detailed property information, see the page here or watch a virtual tour of the resort.

For those on less of a budget, a stay for the duration of the festival at PV-Holidays Residence Les Crets will cost from just £891, for a one -bedroom apartment, which can sleep up to five people. Find more information on the website here.

For our current special offers see our website here!

Make sure you visit the Altitude Website to find out more information as the website is updated regularly.

Thanks for reading,
PV-Holidays.

*Pictures provided by Altitude organisers.