Alpine Escapes: New Snowpark Sessions in Avoriaz and Snow Polo Returns to Kitzbühel

From freestyle ski and snowboard culture to high-speed equestrian sport, the Alps are preparing for an action-packed winter season. Two destinations in France and Austria are adding fresh energy to their winter programmes, offering visitors the chance to combine sport, entertainment and mountain scenery in one trip.

Avoriaz unveils a new-look snowpark hangout

More than 30 years after Avoriaz pioneered France’s first permanent snowpark, the resort’s freestyle scene is continuing to evolve with the launch of a renovated chill area at La Chapelle this winter.

The second phase of the “Marches de la Chapelle” project will create a lively meeting place beside the park, designed for visitors to ride, watch the action, socialise or enjoy sunset sessions. The space will also host concerts, DJ sets and events throughout the season, giving La Chapelle a new role as both a freestyle venue and an après-ski destination.

A new skate ramp will add another dimension to the area, allowing skiers and snowboarders to swap their winter equipment for skateboards. Snow will be cleared from the space throughout the season so that it remains accessible even when the surrounding resort is covered in snow.

The new area is expected to open at the start of the winter season, with an official launch planned for December.

A seven-night stay at Residence Capella, arriving on 9 January 2027, costs from £1,161 in total for a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people. Flights and transfers are extra.

For more information, visit www.avoriaz.com.

Snow polo returns to Kitzbühel

Meanwhile, Kitzbühel in the Austrian Tirol will welcome the 24th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup from 15 to 17 January 2027.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser, the three-day tournament will bring leading snow polo players and horses to the resort for a weekend of competitive sport and stylish entertainment. Eight teams and around 140 horses are expected to take part across the wider polo programme.

Snow polo differs from its traditional counterpart in several ways. Matches are played with three players per team on a smaller pitch, while specially trained polo horses race across the snow as competitors attempt to strike the ball through their opponents’ goal.

Away from the pitch, spectators can enjoy high-quality dining and a varied programme of entertainment, creating an elegant social atmosphere around the tournament. The Snow Polo World Cup is also part of Kitzbühel’s opening polo season, which begins with the Kitzbühel Polo Cup from 8 to 10 January 2027.

A three-night stay at Henri Hotel, arriving on 15 January 2027, costs from £435 per person, based on two sharing a double room with breakfast included. Flights and transfers are extra.

For more information, visit www.kitzbuehel.com/en/.

Whether the appeal is freestyle riding, live music and sunset sessions or the spectacle of polo on snow, both destinations offer a distinctive way to experience the Alps in winter 2027.