Alpine Winter Events Bring Sled-Dog Racing and Electronic Music to Europe

Europe’s mountain destinations are gearing up for an exciting winter season, with two standout events set to draw visitors to the Alps. From the thrilling return of one of the continent’s most celebrated sled dog races in France to the debut winter edition of a popular electronic music festival in Austria, Avoriaz and Kitzbühel are offering compelling reasons for travellers to head to the mountains beyond the ski slopes.

La Grande Odyssée Makes Historic Return to Avoriaz

The renowned La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin sled dog race will return to Avoriaz, France, in January 2027, bringing one of Europe’s most prestigious canine sporting events back to the resort for the first time since it was hosted there between 2005 and 2011.

More than 65 mushers and around 600 elite sled dogs will take on nearly 400 kilometres of challenging Alpine terrain during the competition. The event begins with a prologue through Avoriaz on 7 January 2027, before the opening stage gets underway the following day.

Beyond the sporting action, visitors can immerse themselves in the race atmosphere at the event village on the Dromonts slope. The village will feature opportunities to meet the mushers, family-friendly entertainment, regional food and drink, creative workshops and interactive quizzes, creating a festival-like environment for spectators of all ages.

Free to attend, La Grande Odyssée offers a unique celebration of endurance, adventure and the remarkable partnership between mushers and their dogs, while showcasing the spectacular winter scenery of the French Alps.

Accommodation is available from £1,232 for a seven-night stay at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Saskia Falaise, arriving on 2 January 2027, based on a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people. Flights and transfers are additional.

Kitzbühel Launches Winter Edition of SOUND | ESCAPE

Meanwhile, in the Austrian Tirol, Kitzbühel is expanding its events calendar with the first-ever winter edition of SOUND | ESCAPE, taking place on 11 and 12 December 2026.

Building on the success of the electronic music festival’s spring format, the new winter event will bring together international artists and music fans against the stunning backdrop of the snow-covered Tyrolean Alps. French DJ HUGEL has already been confirmed as the headline act for Saturday, 12 December.

The festival aims to combine contemporary electronic music with Kitzbühel’s distinctive winter lifestyle, creating a vibrant après-ski atmosphere and adding a fresh cultural dimension to the resort’s early-season offering.

Tickets are available through Ö-Ticket, while visitors can stay at Das Reisch from £309 per person for a three-night break arriving on 11 December 2026, based on two people sharing a room with breakfast included. Flights and transfers are extra.

Mountains of Entertainment Await

With world-class sled dog racing returning to Avoriaz and a brand-new electronic music experience debuting in Kitzbühel, the Alps are continuing to diversify their appeal beyond traditional winter sports. Whether visitors are drawn by the excitement of elite competition, the energy of live music or simply the atmosphere of mountain resorts at their seasonal best, both destinations are offering memorable experiences that promise to make the 2026-27 winter season one to remember.