For a week every year, the picturesque alpine village of Mayrhofen hosts the biggest, loudest snow festival in Europe.

This non-stop party combines winter sports and music with brilliant ski and snowboarding options that include the steepest ski piste in Austria and plenty of choices for beginners. As well as venues in the village, the mountain location offers unique entertainment spaces for a line-up of world-class bands and DJs.

These include the Arctic Disco, a mountain-top nightclub made of ice, a forest glade, and a remote backcountry setting. Highlights in 2012 will be Snoop Dogg, Groove Armada's Red Light, and the Fatboy Slim Street Party.

* For more information, see snowbombing.com.