Ski. Laugh. Repeat.
I like a bit of stand-up comedy.
But I’ve only been to a handful of live gigs over the years.
And never, ever, have I experienced anything quite like the Altitude Comedy Festival.
To borrow some of the snow puns that litter the festival brochure, it promises the audience ‘an avalanche of fun’ a ‘sledge-load of laughs’ and a ‘blizzard of entertainment’.
The idea is to ski all day and laugh all night.
Now, anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m not a night owl.
And I’m definitely too old to handle late nights before a full day of skiing.
So why am I sitting here with a bunch of comedy nerds waiting for the show to begin?
Altitude Comedy Festival 2026. Image © PlanetSKI
Because I’m in town for The BRITS – the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships – which, this year, happens to be on at the same time as the Altitude Comedy Festival.
- The BRITS in Austria This Week
- Budding Snowsport Stars Shine at The BRITS
- PlanetSKI Meets GB’s Golden Guy
The two events are affiliated and everyone involved in The BRITS gets a 20% discount on festival tickets.
There are multiple shows every day for five consecutive days.
I head to the first Gala Show.
It’s not long before I’m laughing out loud.
And I’ve only heard from the MC and co-founder of the festival, Marcus Brigstocke, so far.
Marcus Brigstocke at the Altitude Comedy Festival 2026. Image © PlanetSKI
Marcus is just of one of a host of big-name comics here.
Stars of stage, screen and radio, award-winners, many of whom have been to Altitude several times and begged to come back.
The skiers and snowboarders among them relish the chance to spend their days on the snow.
Marcus Brigstocke is a first-lift to last-lift snowboarder.
Whatever the weather.
Jane on the slopes with Marcus Brigstocke. Image © PlanetSKI
His festival co-founder, Andrew Maxwell, does it in lederhosen.
Whatever the weather.
Andrew Maxwell in his lederhosen. Image © PlanetSKI
For the rest there’s strudel, beer and naked saunas to enjoy.
And provide them with material for their next performance.
As well as the many shows on throughout the week, there’s a silent disco, a quiz with ‘questions, games, questionable scoring and almost certainly cheating’, and live podcasts on the mountain.
Irish comics Emma Doran & Deirdre O’Kane’s live podcast at the Altitude Comedy Festival 2026. Image © PlanetSKI
Silent disco at the Altitude Comedy Festival 2026. Image © PlanetSKI
And the ‘Clown Hill Race,’ contested by the comics and VIP ticket-holders.
It’s a mad dash down the Ahorn mountain, top to bottom, for the prize of a cowbell.
I manage to drag Marcus away from his snowboard for a chat just before the race.
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Pre-race photo at the Altitude Comedy Festival. Image © PlanetSKI
And they’re off…
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The Altitude Comedy Festival is now a late-season staple.
It’s attracted some huge names over the years.
Among them Tim Minchin, Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Sean Lock, Katherine Ryan, Zoe Lyons, Bill Bailey and Dara O’Briain.
If you happen to be skiing when it’s on, I highly recommend catching at least one of the shows.
Maybe even book your trip to coincide with the festival, though the details for 2027 are not yet available.
I’m surprised by how many people I meet are not actually snowsport enthusiasts.
Mike Harris and Ro York from Bristol don’t ski and have come specifically for the comedy.
Mike Harris & Ro York at the Altitude Comedy Festival. Image © PlanetSKI
They first visited the festival 10 years ago.
“We saw it advertised in The Guardian as one of the top festivals and we thought ‘let’s go’,” Ro tells me.
They’ve been five times now, booking a week’s holiday at a spa hotel and enjoying a bit of walking during the day.
Mayrhofen is not a bad place to spend some time, even away from the slopes.
Mayrhofen. Image © PlanetSKI
Although my reason for being in town was to attend The BRITS, I genuinely loved every minute of the shows I attended.
Just a few of my standout stand-ups were Emmanuel Sonubi, Al Murray (aka The Pub Landlord), Rob Rouse and Jason Byrne.
I always chose my seat carefully.
Apres ski show at the Altitude Comedy Festival. Image © PlanetSKI
Never sit at the front unless you’re happy to be ribbed mercilessly, or even dragged onto the stage to become part of the show.
Like the child safeguarding volunteer who’d brought his 14-year-old along to what is unquestionably an adult show.
Or the four men chosen to recreate Queen’s iconic video of Bohemian Rhapsody, framed by a hula hoop.
I’m laughing now, just recalling it.
They call it the funniest show on snow.
They’re not wrong.
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