aaamusic | On 24, Feb 2011

The WINTER SESSIONS WEEKENDER is a snow fuelled, jaw dropping, life changing, three day experience in the magical mountains of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France. Where music, art and snowsports collide, the Winter Sessions Weekender is a three day boutique festival taking place on and off the slopes of the Chamonix valley.

Winter Sessions first started their unique collection of Alpine parties back in 2004 with spontaneous gigs across the winter season. Year on year, the collective has grown to what it has proudly become today – a three day music, art and snowsports festival and 30+ date DJ tour across the Alps, showcasing a winning combination of breaking new artists with household names. Previous artists have included GILLES PETERSON, SHY FX, FOREIGN BEGGARS and more recently NORMAN JAY, THE NEXTMEN and DISCO BLOODBATH.

The 2011 Winter Sessions Weekender takes place across the Easter holidays; Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April, kicking off the proceedings with the Fete du Village on the Brevent Mountain some 2000m high. The backdrop to the Fete Du Village is a breathtaking panoramic of Mont-Blanc’s mountains and glaciers sparking the first of many goosebump moments of the weekend. The colourful extravaganza of a pumping Sound System, i-pod Battle, Cake Bake Off, High Altitude Table Tennis competition, King of Ping and one of this year’s new editions – Space Turkey Wrestling – sets the tone and creates the debut event of the weekend.

The Weekender is packed with more action on the snow throughout Saturday, focusing more on the sports. The action unfolds at the midstation of Les Grand Montets mountain (1972m) with a perfect viewpoint on the terrace for party revelers to watch the Snow Jam, Pro Rider Display and Air Show. The Air Show features some of the most spectacular and daring mountain sports around, including Base Jump Wing Suit Sky Diving and Speed Riding. As the Wing Suit Sky Divers fly past the heads of the crowds dancing below at the Mountain Stage and Sound System, riders of all levels can be seen riding through the park in the 2 hour freestyle ski and snowboard Snow Jam competition. Not to mention NORMAN JAY laying it down at the top of the mountain with the Good Times vibe.

In true alpine resort style, Winter Sessions follows suit with plentiful amounts of après ski frivolity from dusk til dawn on each night of the festival. The first après ski shin dig takes place at Le Vert Fingerlickin Stage on Friday afternoon, complete with a Fingerlickin line up of DJ’s from the label including A SKILLZ and SOUL OF MAN.

The parties each night explode across 8 venues and stages up and down the Chamonix valley, all linked by the river flowing through the town illuminated by a Festival of Lights. From intimate underground club venues to transformed ice rinks and luxury cocktail bars, the programming covers an eclectic mix of sounds and styles to suit each stage.

This year’s lineup includes some amazing emerging acts as well as globally renowned names including revolutionary dub step heroes, ENGINE-EARZ EXPERIMENT and drum & bass Don, DJ DIE. Nine-piece dub, ska, reggae and roots boys, GENTLEMAN’S DUB CLUB who are currently ripping it up just about everywhere with their larger than life dance floor work out performance, next to legendary names like NORMAN JAY MBE, King of the Notting Hill Carnival who will be making his second appearance to Winter Sessions this season. Alongside these great names, Winter Sessions brings a massive line up of local and international DJ’s, MC’s, singers, musicians, artists and athletes with more acts still to be announced.

For lineup, tickets and further information, visit www.wintersessions.net

Winter Sessions Weekender; Friday 22nd April to Sunday 24th April 2011
3 day Weekender tickets are £65. Tickets available from www.seetickets.com