Make a date with the mountains this summer

How will you be spending your summer? Connecting with the (seriously beautiful) surroundings at a mountain yoga fest, mixing rock music with raclette, or hitting the trail…?

Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival 

When 1-4 June 2023
Where Innsbruck, Austria 

Trail runners with a competitive streak, this one’s for you. With courses ranging from 7km to 108km and up to 4,690 nasty vertical meters to tackle, the Alpine Trailrun festival sees thousands of runners descend upon Innsbruck to race on some of the world’s best singletrack trails. There’s even a 7km night race for those looking for an added challenge. Afterwards, see how the pros do at the World Champs held at Innsbruck-Stubai from 6 to 10 June. Entrance from €19.

Crankworx 

When 21-25 June
Where Innsbruck, Austria 

More action in Innsbruck, this time of the two-wheeled variety. Following hot on the heels of the Downhill World Cup in Leogang, Europe’s instalment of Crankworx in Innsbruck brings together the best international pros and DH teams in the game to take on the tracks in the Tirol. Plus tens of thousands of spectators. Dual Slalom, Whip-Off champs, Slopestyle, Downhill – the gravity-fuelled action comes thick and fast, and the atmosphere is electric…

Morzine Bike Week 

When 9-15 July 2023
Where Portes du Soleil, France 

Road cyclists, listen up – Morzine will host its first ever Bike Week between the Étape du Tour (9 July) and the arrival of the Tour de France (15 July). Every day, one or two mountain passes will be closed to cars, with different mapped itineraries setting out from Morzine, all within 50km. Routes will lead through valleys, forests, pastures and along lakes and rivers, très beau. If your legs aren’t jelly by the end, there’ll be plenty of bike-related entertainment in town to explore after. Entry is free.

Megavalanche | Maxiavalanche 

When 9 July | 10 June – 10 September
Where Alpe d’Huez | Vallnord | Cervinia | Pra-Loup | Ax 3 Domaines 

One word: carnage. The Alpe d’Huez Megavalanche is a mountain bike marathon race that sees 1,500 downhillers mass start on a 22km descent over 2,600m: the Grand National of MTB. Fancy something a wee tamer? The Maxiavalanche is a shorter version (1,000-1,500m descent) that takes place in Andorra’s Vallnord in June, Cervinia in July, Pra-Loup in August, and Ax 3 Domaines (Pyrenees) in September, with kids events running alongside. Entrance from €60 (kids from €25).

Canicross 

When 8-9 July
Where La Plagne, France

You, your dog and the mountains. After a successful launch of Canicross during winter, La Plagne is launching Canitrail, summer edition. Teams of dogs and their masters have Montchavin-Les Coches as a playground in two events: ‘La Dret’, a vertical kilometre dog race straight up the slope, and ‘La Belentro’, an 11km endurance course. Gear ed Sophie and her pup Ace will see you there! Entrance €25 per team (for both races).

Craft Beer Festival 

When 15-16 July
Where Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France 

Ok, enough of the exertion and excitement – we want some beer. Ideally of the craft variety, please. Enter Saint-Martin-de-Belleville‘s Craft Beer Festival. Craft beer in the prettiest village of the 3 Vallées, that’s also making a name for itself as quite the culinary corner. Stemming from the new microbrewery on the scene, Brava Vela, there’ll be workshops, demos, tastings and competitions to discover the finest beer. Sounds like a lot of hard work…

Rocklette | Electroclette 

When 5-14 August | 19-20 August
Where Verbier, Switzerland 

High-altitude gatherings for fans of music, cheese and mountains. Rocklette brings the rock music and raclette to Val de Bagnes, while Electrolette brings the – you guessed it – above 2,000m at La Chaux. Dancefloors with mountain views, dozens of different cheeses, hundreds of litres of local Valais wine, and rock and techno headliners – what’s not to love? Prices vary – check online.

Mountain Yoga Festival 

When 31 August – 3 September 
Where St Anton, Austria 

Four days of yoga, meditation, workshops and hiking in the Arlberg region – designed for all ages and levels of yogi (kiddos included!). Expect a big dose of Waldluftbaden – “forest atmosphere bathing” – as you learn to sit still and connect with the (seriously beautiful) surroundings. Tickets €355. mountainyogafestivalstanton.at 

Ironman 

When 3 September 
Where Zell am See, Austria 

The Zell am See Ironman, with its 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run, was voted the third most beautiful in the world by pro athletes. Enough to keep you motivated on this gruelling circuit? Only one way to find out… There’s also a night run and a kids’ ironman, for the mini triathlon bosses. Entrance from €346.

National Snow Show 2023 

Birmingham 14-15 October
London 21-22 October

Roll up, roll up – the dates for the 2023 National Snow Show have been released and Fall Line has FREE tickets to give away. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 14-15 October and London Excel from 21-22 October, the National Snow Show is now THE UK ski festival. Get back on skis at the Snowdome Slope, shop for shiny new kit, catch big talks with big names, and come see your fave mag folks at the Fall Line stand. Click here to bag your free tickets. See y’all there!