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eighth April 2026 | Jane Peel, Mayrhofen, Austria
What’s probably the most enjoyable you possibly can have in a ski resort if you’re not on the slopes? Reply: watch a bunch of world-class comedians at work. PlanetSKI has been doing simply that – and becoming a member of them on the snow – on the Altitude Comedy Competition in Mayrhofen. What. A. Hoot. NEW
I like a little bit of stand-up comedy.
However I’ve solely been to a handful of reside gigs through the years.
And by no means, ever, have I skilled something fairly just like the Altitude Comedy Competition.
To borrow a few of the snow puns that litter the competition brochure, it guarantees the viewers ‘an avalanche of enjoyable’ a ‘sledge-load of guffaws’ and a ‘blizzard of leisure’.
The concept is to ski all day and snigger all night time.
Now, anybody who is aware of me will let you know that I’m not an evening owl.
And I’m positively too previous to deal with late nights earlier than a full day of snowboarding.
So why am I sitting right here with a bunch of comedy nerds ready for the present to start?
Altitude Comedy Competition 2026. Picture © PlanetSKI
As a result of I’m on the town for The BRITS – the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships – which, this 12 months, occurs to be on similtaneously the Altitude Comedy Competition.
The 2 occasions are affiliated and everybody concerned in The BRITS will get a 20% low cost on competition tickets.
There are a number of reveals every single day for 5 consecutive days.
I head to the primary Gala Present.
It’s not lengthy earlier than I’m laughing out loud.
And I’ve solely heard from the MC and co-founder of the competition, Marcus Brigstocke, to date.
Marcus Brigstocke on the Altitude Comedy Competition 2026. Picture © PlanetSKI
Marcus is simply of one in every of a number of big-name comics right here.
Stars of stage, display screen and radio, award-winners, lots of whom have been to Altitude a number of instances and begged to return again.
The skiers and snowboarders amongst them relish the prospect to spend their days on the snow.
Marcus Brigstocke is a first-lift to last-lift snowboarder.
Regardless of the climate.
Jane on the slopes with Marcus Brigstocke. Picture © PlanetSKI
His competition co-founder, Andrew Maxwell, does it in lederhosen.
Regardless of the climate.
Andrew Maxwell in his lederhosen. Picture © PlanetSKI
For the remaining there’s strudel, beer and bare saunas to take pleasure in.
And supply them with materials for his or her subsequent efficiency.
In addition to the numerous reveals on all through the week, there’s a silent disco, a quiz with ‘questions, video games, questionable scoring and virtually definitely dishonest’, and reside podcasts on the mountain.
Irish comics Emma Doran & Deirdre O’Kane’s reside podcast on the Altitude Comedy Competition 2026. Picture © PlanetSKI
Silent disco on the Altitude Comedy Competition 2026. Picture © PlanetSKI
And the ‘Clown Hill Race,’ contested by the comics and VIP ticket-holders.
It’s a mad sprint down the Ahorn mountain, high to backside, for the prize of a cowbell.
I handle to tug Marcus away from his snowboard for a chat simply earlier than the race.
Pre-race photograph on the Altitude Comedy Competition. Picture © PlanetSKI
And so they’re off…
The Altitude Comedy Competition is now a late-season staple.
It’s attracted some large names through the years.
Amongst them Tim Minchin, Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Sean Lock, Katherine Ryan, Zoe Lyons, Invoice Bailey and Dara O’Briain.
If you happen to occur to be snowboarding when it’s on, I extremely suggest catching a minimum of one of many reveals.
Possibly even ebook your journey to coincide with the competition, although the small print for 2027 usually are not but obtainable.
I’m shocked by how many individuals I meet usually are not truly snowsport fanatics.
Mike Harris and Ro York from Bristol don’t ski and have come particularly for the comedy.
Mike Harris & Ro York on the Altitude Comedy Competition. Picture © PlanetSKI
They first visited the competition 10 years in the past.
“We noticed it marketed in The Guardian as one of many high festivals and we thought ‘let’s go’,” Ro tells me.
They’ve been 5 instances now, reserving per week’s vacation at a spa lodge and having fun with a little bit of strolling through the day.
Mayrhofen isn’t a nasty place to spend a while, even away from the slopes.
Mayrhofen. Picture © PlanetSKI
Though my purpose for being on the town was to attend The BRITS, I genuinely liked each minute of the reveals I attended.
Only a few of my standout stand-ups have been Emmanuel Sonubi, Al Murray (aka The Pub Landlord), Rob Rouse and Jason Byrne.
I at all times selected my seat fastidiously.
Apres ski present on the Altitude Comedy Competition. Picture © PlanetSKI
By no means sit on the entrance except you’re blissful to be ribbed mercilessly, and even dragged onto the stage to develop into a part of the present.
Just like the little one safeguarding volunteer who’d introduced his 14-year-old alongside to what’s unquestionably an grownup present.
Or the 4 males chosen to recreate Queen’s iconic video of Bohemian Rhapsody, framed by a hula hoop.
I’m laughing now, simply recalling it.
They name it the funniest present on snow.
They’re not incorrect.
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