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Top 5 Best Snow / Winter Music Festivals in the USA & Canada

Despite what California and Florida seem to suggest by their weather, most parts of the USA get really cold during the winter months of the year. And for a country that loves to party, the US has quickly followed Europe and their trend of hosting icy music festivals that bring skiing, snowboarding and other snowsports into the mix.. With 2020 approaching its end and the winter months quickly approaching, the snowsport music festival scene is coming alive, we thought there was no better time than to compile a list of the best snowsports music festivals to check out in North America.

SnowGlobe in South Lake Tahoe, California

Run by iconic MTV, the SnowGlobe festival is perhaps the most multi-purpose music festival in the world and also the most interesting winter wonderland. Set in South Lake Tahoe, with some of the continent’s best ski resorts, such as Squaw Valley, Heavenly, and Northstar, near striking distance of the festival, this is one festival where the fun never stops. Onsite the lineup of party-stating electronic artists like Zedd, Disclosure, Tiesto, and Kaskade ensure the dancefloor stays hot. Offsite, guests can enjoy the slopes in between rounds of their favorite artists performing. If that’s not enough, the festival is always set over New Year’s Eve, so you can get your ski trip, festival experience, and NYE plans settled in one fell swoop.  

Snowbombing Canada in Sun Peaks British Columbia

Snowbombing Canada at Sun Peaks began at the popular ski resort in the spring of 2017, bringing some of the world’s most notable electronic and Hip-Hop acts to British Columbia. The event has two outposts, one in Austria and this one in Canada. In Europe, where snowsport music festivals are much more common, Snowbombing is regarded as one of the premier festivals of its kind, and it is no different in North America with its sister festival. Expertly curated lineups of upbeat dance music from artists like Illenium, Cypress Hill, and Odesza take the après ski vibe to a whole other level after a day on the pristine slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Whistler, British Columbia

NOS performing at the outdoor concerts series at WSSF

Coming alive in 1994 with the World Technical Skiing Championships, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival has brought together ski champions from various disciplines and attracted a large number of ski media to Whistler to enjoy themselves at the biggest snowsports music festival in North America. A quarter of a million attendees with ski and snowboard aficionados amongst them are able to witness premier athletes compete and partake in some activities themselves while also getting to enjoy live concerts and DJ sets. The cold doesn’t keep away the talent either. The event regularly has a stacked lineup with artists such as Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Old Soul Rebel, Little Destroyer, Skratch Bastid, Mat the Alien, and March Fourth playing.

WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Photo by Molly McCormick © WinterWonderGrass Festival All Rights Rerserved 2019

This is another popular snowsports music festival that has branched out to take place in multiple locations amongst which are Squaw in California, Stratton in Vermont, and of course Steamboat Springs in Colorado. Unlike the other events on this list, this festival is a multi-day bluegrass and roots music festival. Their aim is to cultivate and nurture the relationship between nature, authentic music, and communal family, which creates a vehicle for inspiration. They believe that when people come together with open hearts and open minds, bringing all of their differences and unique opinions, they truly begin to dissolve the illusion of separation from one another. Their intention is to create a platform for artists, vendors, attendees, and our planet to unite as one – connecting the community. With artists like Greensky Bluegrass, Margo Price, Billy Strings, Keller Williams and the Keels, Nikki Lane, The Travelin’ McCourys, and Molly Tuttle playing, it’s suffice to say that WinterWonderGrass achieves their goals. If winter sports and bluegrass music are right up your alley then this is the perfect music festival for you.

Snowsio in Frisco, Colorado

Snowsio was launched in February 2020 in Colorado. From the rock, electronic, and jazz fusion artists Papadosio, this three-day event came to life bringing a more intimate feel to snowsports music festivals. The event trades in big mountain skiing for the more collective activity of tubing. Attendees are also able to enjoy special après sets, multiple appearances from Papadosio, and an all-star Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin jam sesh as well as artists like Joel Cummins (of Umphrey’s McGee), Eminence Ensemble, Stan Kitchen, Brether, and Earthcry for its inaugural show. At Snowsio, festival goers are able to enjoy the casual air of friends hanging out and enjoying good music while having fun in the snow, making for the perfect winter experience.