France's 2023 Rise Festival Recap & Review

Written by Charlotte Houareau (@thenittygrittyguide)

Ah, Rise Festival. Where the peaks of Les 2 Alpes come alive not just with the swish of skis but with the pulsating rhythms of some of the world's finest music acts. As a blogger who lives for music festivals and has been shredding snow since childhood, Rise is the ultimate convergence of my passions: a majestic mountain music festival set in the awe-inspiring French Alps. Imagine combining the euphoria of a music festival with the adrenaline rush of skiing down Europe's largest skiable glacier. This isn't just any festival—it's an experience that encapsulates everything I adore about both worlds.

As the memories of winter begin to fade into the rearview mirror of the year, I find myself still wrapped in the afterglow of Rise Festival. It's a testament to the event's extraordinary impact that, months later, I'm still reminiscing about the experience, replaying the moments of joy, exhilaration, and pure bliss that defined my time in Les 2 Alpes. I’m excited to unpack the memories and dive into the adventure of Rise Festival with you in this review. 

The Ultimate Winter Festival Experience

Imagine standing on top of Europe's largest skiable glacier, 220km of pristine piste sprawling beneath you, ready to be conquered. This is the playground that Rise Festival offers—where every lift pass attached to a festival ticket isn't just your key to the slopes but an invitation to adventure. It caters to every level of snow enthusiast; from the social skier looking for camaraderie on the lifts to the solitary first tracks hunter greeting the dawn with pristine runs. This is where the value of a festival ticket transcends the norm, integrating top-tier entertainment with unmatched mountain access.

It’s a playground for all. Les 2 Alpes boasts a unique geographical quirk that endears it to beginners and experts alike. Known affectionately as the 'upside-down resort,' it challenges conventional ski resort layouts with its beginner-friendly runs placed high on the glacier, ensuring soft snow and gentle slopes for those still finding their snow legs. This design democratizes the mountain experience, ensuring that everyone, from seasoned shredders to those who've never touched snow, can find their rhythm on the slopes. The promise that every stage and vibrant après-ski party is just a walk away means that the music—like the mountain—waits for no one.

World-Class Acts in a World-Class Setting

Rise Festival's lineup reads like a who's who of the music world, a curated selection of artists that span a wide array of genres. From the electronic reverberations of BICEP, a name synonymous with immersive, pulsating beats, to the genre-defying mixes of Sonny Fodera, the festival ensures that its stages are graced by only the finest. Hybrid Minds, SIGMA, and Chris Stussy are just a few more jewels in the crown of 2023, each bringing their unique soundtracks to the snowy expanse of the Alps. These acts, set against the festival's breathtaking alpine backdrop, create a juxtaposition of nature's tranquility and the vibrant energy of live music, marking Rise as a prominent European music festival.

More Than Just Skiing and Music

But Rise Festival's allure isn't confined to just the slopes and stages. Les 2 Alpes comes alive with activities that cater to every type of adventurer. For me, a confessed cheese aficionado, the opportunity to dive into authentic cheese fondue experiences was an absolute dream. From indulging in the local cheesy delicacies and dining in the clouds surrounded by pristine mountain views, to soaring above the mountains in a paraglider, the festival offers a myriad of ways to amplify your week. This blend of music, sports, and lifestyle activities sets Rise apart, ensuring every moment is filled with adventure, and cementing its status as a premier mountain music festival.

A Festival for Every Snow Lover

At its core, Rise Festival is a celebration of winter, music, and community. It's a place where the rush of descending the wide, freshly groomed runs of Les 2 Alpes meets the conviviality of a collective of international music lovers. It's the festival's culture of inclusivity, marked by whimsical dress-up days and the iconic Santa Run, that truly captures its essence. Throughout the week, attendees embrace the spirit of festivity, donning costumes that range from the humorous to the fantastical, culminating in a sea of Santas joyously descending from the mountain's summit in a spectacle of red and white. This tradition not only adds a layer of communal joy but also highlights the warm, welcoming nature of the Rise community. Enhanced by an international crowd, the festival thrives on a diversity that unites individuals from all walks of life, bonded by their shared passions for music, the mountains, and the unmistakable joy of collective celebration.

Rise Festival, with its electric atmosphere, world-class music, and boundless skiing opportunities, stands as a testament to the magic that happens when you blend passion with nature. It's more than just a festival; it's a journey into the heart of winter, soundtracked by the beats of the world's best artists, and it's an experience that resonates long after the last note fades into the alpine air. For those who seek the thrill of the mountains and the call of the dancefloor, Rise Festival is an unparalleled adventure, a place where memories are made, and legends are born.