The Altitude Festival Blog - Photo Blog

2008-05-07 - ministry of sound TV
Wath it here, ministry of sound visited the festival this year and shot some great footage of the pool party, some bad weather and the ministry of sound night at Dicks Tea Bar. follow the link - http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1444170125/bclid1422258721/bctid1534502396

2008-04-23 - momentos photos and vids
Altitude T shirts, hoodies, lanyards will all be available soon on the site, as well as photos and vid clips.

2008-04-22 - Dates for next years altitude!
Dates for bext years altitude festival will be released in the next week or so, so drop in to our site for more details!

2008-04-21 - Audience numbers revealed
Audience numbers for this years Altitude festival reached an estimated 19 600 people - not bad for a first go!

2008-04-20 - what a finale!
After a packed tent (over a thousand people) for outstanding High Tone gig we were treated to a modern day comedy caberet - otherwise known as Andrew Maxwell's Full mooners. Sadly the clouds covering the sky prevented us from getting a good howl in at the moon. Nevertheless there was howling a plenty as the crazy line up of Mike Gray, Pierre Hollins, Nick Wilty, Glen Wool, Ed Byrne, Lady Carole, Sir Tim Fitzhigham, Crazy legs Mcginty Maxwell and Marcus Brigstocke took to the stage in front of the festivals largest comedy audience of over 800 people! Thereafter a fitting end was had, when the goosneck steppers crew (hip hop, beat box combo) rounded of and closed altitude 2008.

2008-04-15 - The festival headliners UD have landed!
Ugly Duckling live tonight in the big top is the one we've been waiting for. The guys landed from their transatlantic flight yesterday and were looking forward to catching some comedy shows before their appearence on Tuesday (tonight). The ticktes have been selling well for this one for several months and tonight looks almost certain to sell out.

2008-04-15 - Guardian Theatre review
Check it out here http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/comedy/story/0,,2273658,00.html

2008-04-14 - dumping again
Its dumping with snow again!!!

2008-04-14 - Kila Kela blows the roof off
Kila Kelas performance last night blew the roof off the marquee with an awesome display of beat box, freestyle and superb showmanship. A truly impressive show of energy and zeal ideal for a show in the mountains.

2008-04-13 - sell out gigs at the weekend
Phil Jupitus and the comedy store players with two guest appearences from our very own stable - Marcus Brigstocke and Andre Vincent have concluded their run this weekend with two sell out gigs! Interesting fact - Marcus had never done live improv before! Although he and the rest of the team absolutely stormed it - it was andres quips at Marcus expense that made me chuckle the most (I didn't know he was the father of Marcus children!)

2008-04-12 - Ugly Duckling selling fast
Important notice! We only have a few remaining tickets for Ugly duckling, if you are travelling from other resorts please make sure you buy your tickets on line in advance. We are expecting to sell out for this one!

2008-04-12 - 4 Star review
Well there you have it, a four star review in the independent! Follow the link to see for yourselves http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/reviews/altitude-festival-the-auditorium-meribel-france-807728.html

2008-04-11 - Pool party crazyness
What a blast, yesterdays pool party at the Chaudanne hotel outside Jacks bar was one to remember. Tunes from Randy Salami and alpine super group Super U aided and abetted the frivolities, pyramid building, wrestling on shoulders (what do you call that, there doesn't seem to be a term for it? maybe "pool wars"?) Did anyone see that crazy man in an afro, big beard and large grin?

2008-04-10 - Great Gigs
....Well after Jenny left (the place isn't the same without her) we had the arrival of the comedy deity himself Lee Mack. Now, I don't want to gush too much, but to suffice it to say - with about ten minutes to go in his opening night gig, I'd had enough of laughing. I had a sore throat, a headache and aching ribs. And this was supposed to be funny? After that we've had some cracking gigs from Mark Maier, Dave Fulton, Ian Stone, who have all left grinning from ear to ear, for a great time in the hill.

2008-04-08 - photos coming soon for Altitude.
My god, its been a busy few days and what a start to the first ever Altitude festival. The Opening night Gala was a very special blend of Anglo French comedy where interestingly - it worked really well - we honestly had no idea it would! For the parts that people didn't understand everyone has said the same thing and that is is fascinating to try and understand to compare styles of comics and to see what other people laugh at! I think everyone present will agree that Marcus B and Erwan M (from M6 TV) did a great job holding it all together. After that the Dub Pistols provided what was for me the best gig I have ever seen, a truly impressive show with Rodney P (Britains leading hip hop artist). Followed by Alex P and Mr Block, tearing it up in the Tea Bar. What a night. After that we've seen some great stuff on the comedy front from a very lively Brendon Burns gig (supported by Andre Vincent and bizzarley and un rehearsed) 5 minute set from Brandon Block ("random Block" as he's now known round here as no one knows quite what he's going to do next!). Jenny Eclair stormed a great gig last night too, the first time I've got to see her live - truly impressive and extremely funny on and off stage. more tomorrow.....

2008-04-04 - Gigs sell out at Altitude
.... let me write that again, it feels so good to do so! Gigs sell out at Altitude.... lovely. Our first two shows, the opening night Gala and the Dub Pistols concert sold out today. For those of you unfortunate enough to be out in the cold fear not, there are still tickets available in resort for a stella show at Jacks Bar featuring Andrew Maxwell, Brendon Burns and Ian Stone. This show is at midnight

2008-04-04 - Ski Meribel last minute deal!
SPECIAL FESTIVAL OFFER £129 return for the last week of the festival leaving on Friday 11th!!! + rooms at La Taverne at 55 euros a person, get on it! This modern coach offers the ultimate in passenger comfort and safety. Its climate control system ensures an even comfortable temperature throughout your journey. On board facilities include; soft drinks, DVD player, WC, washroom area and sleeper seats that almost fully recline with a leg rest that comes up, allowing you to enjoy a good nights sleep. You will arrive fresh and ready to start your holiday straight away! The Sleeper Express service departs at 16.30pm from London-Victoria coach station and 18:30 from Dover each Friday from December through to April. Departing from Meribel at 17:30pm and Moutiers at 18:00pm each Saturday. From Victoria to Dover, where we board a ferry bound for Calais. This is the ideal time to take an evening meal or relax over a drink before rejoining your coach for the rest of the journey to the Alps. Prior to our final rest stop of the evening we put on a feature film on our excellent in-coach DVD system. After you have had a chance to refresh at the rest stop, the coach goes into 'sleeper mode' and you may safely settle down for the night. Sleeper coach return travel from London Victoria to Moutiers Bus & Rail Station & Meribel Centre - One way travel is available from £75 Return travel Dec-07 £129. Dec-14 £129. Dec-21 £139. Dec-28 £169. SPECIAL FESTIVAL OFFER £129 return for the last week of the festival leaving on Friday 11th!!!

2008-04-03 - two days to lift off.
The big top is here and up - and looking mighty impressive. Tickets for the first few nights are going like hot cakes. It looks as though the Dub Pistols and the Gala are going to be easy sell outs! For those arriving on Saturdays transfers please note that not only is the channel 4 king of comedy and this years runner up at Edinburgh and this years winner of Edinburgh performing they are on the same tiny stage in Jacks bar. Now capacity is only 80 people, the show starts at midnight and will be very lively! Please have a look at the tickets page for more info and to book on line!

2008-03-30 - time out article this week
Time out feature this week in their publication and shorter version on their site - have a look http://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/

2008-03-29 - Spring madness
According to local chalet owners bookings have picked up for festival time due to the great snow conditions over the past few weeks. There are options out there but you'll have to be quick!

2008-03-29 - British ski championships start tomorrow
See you all on the Chaudanne at 08H30 tomorrow morning the start of the British champs! Make sure you brave the morning air to support the atheletes. Luckily there is coffee and tea available (made by frenchmen!)

2008-03-28 - Dub pistols selling out!
Last orders for Dub Pistols for next Saturday, ladies and gentlemen please! Tickets sales have mushroomed for this exciting gig at for the opening night of the festival. Its looking likely that on the door sales may not be possible. To be sure you get in, please book with us on the buy tickets page.

2008-03-28 - The feeling gig went off
After an awesome performance and trip down memory lane... all that's left to say is thank you so much Dan, Paul, Rich, MC Jeremiah and Kev for a wonderful few days (and make sure you make it back next year for the Altitude festival!)

2008-03-28 - Website hits break 100 000 this week!

2008-03-27 - Off to the feeling gig!
The feeling are playing live on the piste today in Meribel and after a fresh dump of snow last night (again!) what a great lead up to the Altitude festival - although not conducive to our preparations!

2008-03-26 - Tickets sales and website hits
We are proud to announce that our website hits have reached 75 000 last week. This combined with better than expected pre sales of festival gig tickets both on line and in resort, means that skiing again today was entirely justifiable. Please note that for many of the festival comedy gigs there are only a small number of tickets (the auditorium for instance only seats 300 people!). Please visit our "buy tickets" page for all the details.

2008-03-26 - The feeling apres ski gig
Today the UK super group "The Feeling" performed a live impromptu apres ski gig like "the old days". They played track from their first and newly released albums, but what really stole the show were the great versions of some old classics such as Video killed the radio star and their TV theme tune medley. My particular favourite (as it was 4 years ago when they did a season in Meribel as an apres ski band) was Ciarans Mcing of beastie boys and eminem classics - the stuff of postcards! What a great season, "The Feeling" and the Altitude festival, add to that great snow from start to finnish, 2008 will go down in ski history as a classic!

2008-03-23 - Great Snow conditions
With a total amount of 2m of snow on the piste and some deep powder off piste, it looks like its going to be a great end to the season. Its not too late to book accommodation - see our accommodation pages for info. With a total capacity of 50 000 beds in the area - there's always something out there!

2008-03-23 - Happy Easter indeed!
According the Merinet weather forcast (www.merinet.com) there is more snow and cold weather forcast for the rest of this week. This is obviously great news for a last minute ski in Meribel and bodes well for the first year of the Altitude festival.

2008-03-23 - Win tickets to altitude!
Winning tickets to the altitude festival gigs is easy. Listen in to R Meribel the local radio station between 9 and 9.30 CET and listen to the live quiz - every day until the last day of the festival! You can listen to R Meribel by clicking the link on the our home page. see I said it was easy! Oh yeah, its still bloomin' snowing, there wont even be a festival at this rate as we'll have nowhere to put the Marquee!

2008-03-21 - Its dumping again........
no work today, no work today, eeee eye adey oh no work today. there's about half a foot down in Raffort at 1400 metres!

2008-03-21 - even more snow
bloody ell it hasn't stopped yet. There was a good half a metre of fresh (a whole metre in places) up on the hill. More is expected for the next few days. Happy days and what a season!

2008-03-20 - The Feeling in Meribel!
Great news just broken that The Feeling are to spend a week in Meribel shooting a new DVD, culminating in a free gig on the hill! The feeling formely known as Superfly used to rock the Alps playing fantastic cover versions (normally better than the originals) for amazed apres skiers. Some of their late night Jam sessions at Dicks Tea bar with live DJ sets were unforgettable flashes of brilliance too. The feeling were invited to play the altitude festival but their busy diary meant that they couldn't make it this year (all the better for us, as we get to see them without the stress of having to organise it!!!!) The gig is taking place at the Rond Point des Pistes in Meribel on Thursday 27th March. Support acts start at 2pm and the event finishes at 8pm Source: Natives.co.uk

2008-03-19 - Win a pair of skis courtesy of Freeride.fr
Win a pair of the awesome Nordica Supercharger skis. These skis, supplied by Meribel’s www.Freeride.fr, will ensure that the winners of Alpine Antics will undoubtedly be king or queen of the hill. To win, simply upload your funniest skiing videos on our bebo site (www.bebo.com/altitudefestival) Whether it be on skis, snow board, blades or whatever; we don’t mind as long as it makes us laugh. And the clip that makes us laugh the most wins the skis. The closing date of the competition is the 27th March 2008. So don’t delay, let’s see what you’ve been up to on that hill. Click the Freeride links for more info on Nordica Skis.

2008-03-18 - award count
The current award count is pretty impressive for Altitude. Currently we have 7 perrier/If winners or nominees (the highest award in live stand up), 4 chortle awards 2 Baftas (3 including our cameraman) and numerous other awards such as C4 King of comedy! ... So when we say award winning comedy, we mean it!

2008-03-17 - Grumpy old woman gives skiing a go
Meribel is now to welcome Jenny Eclair, star of BBC2's Grumpy old women. Jenny will make a couple of appearences at Altitude - go to the tickets page for details!!!!

2008-03-13 - Lee Mack confirms altitude
Bafta award winning host of 'they think its all over' will headline the Altitude festival. Dates and tickets will be available later this week.

2008-03-12 - Thank you oh snow gods
Blessed is the Lord of snow, Who has chosen this time to bestow unto His mountain dwelling subjects the magnificent white gift of fresh snow. We promise oh great Lord, to visit Thy pristine hills of cotton-like powder, so beautiful in appeal and perspective and thereupon gaze upon this awe inspiring vista. Then oh Lord we shall procede to rip the buggery out of Thy fields of snow with some righteous carves and slash backs. No blog tomorrow. Work is cancelled.

2008-03-06 - High tone
French Dub collective high tone are now booked "to show les rosbif how the party is done" they bring with them the reggae and ragga masters of intent - Papa Style and Baldas. This gig will go off as both bands tour nationally and Europe wide but have their roots and their mountain time in the region.

2008-03-05 - Dub Pistols confirmed for altitude
Great news just in, that the genre mashing genius that are the Dub Pistols have just decided take a brief detour from their French national tour to come to Meribel. Visit our artists pages for more info!

2008-03-03 - Radio 2
Radcliffe and Marconie interview with Marcus about the Altitude festival, listen to the show http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/radcliffemaconie/

2008-03-01 - website hits for feb
Website hits for feb hit a quarter of a million!

2008-02-29 - Its War!!!
Irish comedy legend and and regular on RTE's The Panel - Andrew Maxwell yesterday gave a radio R Meribel interview and declared war on the evil Courchevelians! In an astonishing flash of inter valley hatred, Andrew Maxwell astounded listeners with the news that during the altitude festival he would gather an army of the willing for an invasion of Courcheval. Codenamed Siberian Cat dog (google it!) the invasion will have as its goal, the liberation of La Tania, from Courchevals’ dictatorial clutches and rid the area of weapons of minor destruction - like ski poles or wet gloves Media stunt or belligerant intention? The only way to find out is to meet us at the top of the Saulire on Sunday 6th April midday, armed and with an undying faith in the snow gods (weather permitting) PS The first rule about codename "Siberian Cat dog" is to not talk about "Siberian cat dog"

2008-02-28 - Phil Jupitus tickets go on sale
Phil Jupitus will be putting on his famed improv all stars at Altitude 2008, full line up is still to be confirmed, but Phil will host and participate. This will be your only chance to see him at the festival, other than hurtling down the black runs!

2008-02-22 - Tickets on sale!
Worried your favourite performer will be sold out before you even get to resort? Then check out out all new Tickets Page! Also available from the navigation bar on the left!

2008-02-21 - tix almost on sale!
Tickets will go on sale in the next 24hrs, sorry for the big wait! Tickets available for Ugly Duckling and Grand National gigs. Comedy tickets for Ireland's favourite comic - Ed Byrne, Emmy award and Perrier award winning American comic Rich Hall as well as Otis Lee Crenshaw. There will be a chance to buy tickets for The best of the week, the opening night Gala, french comedy shows (sacre bleue!). DJ nights are also available, they always sell out, so please don't be left in the cold for Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, Norman Jay, Be good muisc, Joey Negro, Brandon Block and Dan Bailey!

2008-02-15 - Rich Hall
Booked finally! One we've all been waiting for - the simply superb Rich Hall confirmed today! He'll be appearing around the 9-11 April Rich has appeared on: Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Jack Dee's Sunday Service and Edinburgh Nights.

2008-02-14 - Grand National
Grand National return to the national scene with a release of their second album, A drink and a quick decision. This band is a not to be Missed at the Altitude festival.

2008-02-14 - altitudes smallest gig
Just to prove that all that is big is better (not sure why I need to prove that), we can announce what we think will be the smallest gig at Altitude. Bar 50 50 are now part of the ever growing party and will feature live stand up comedy! Total audience at a push will be about 14.5 people (the 0.5 will be acheived by someone standing half inside and half outside the gig!)

2008-02-06 - New venues join the fold
We are happy to announce that Le Doron Pub and The Taverne in Meribel have today joined the party! The Taverne, right at the heart of the town square, will feature many of the festivals free and ad hoc music gigs... ...whereas the (Doron) Pub, will join the ranks as one of our super venues, hosting our Ministry of sound and Begood nights with the like of Brandon Block, Joey Negro and Tim Lyall pumpin da house - its gonna be off da hook.

2008-02-03 - Ugly duckling tix go on sale
Just signed, barnstorming trio from LA Ugly Duckling. They're kicking off their new European tour with us at Altitude. Tix go on sale this week. They will be performing in the Big top in the second week of the festival!

2008-01-30 - Joey Negro confirms altitude
jeeper creepers, legendry DJ Joey Negro wants to come to our bash in the hills! Visit our peformers pages for his biog!

2008-01-28 - Ski Sunday
Marcus Brigstocke will be appearing on ski Sunday, on the 10th Feb as the programmes celebrity skier, you'll have to watch to see how he got on racing the gates and how skillfully he managed to plug the festival! The show goes out on BBC2 at 7.15pm

2008-01-25 - New venues signed up
We are happy to announce that in addition to the venues signed for some time (The Auditorium theatre, Dicks Tea bar, a large Marquee, Jacks Bar, La Chaudanne hotel, Pizza Express) we have added La Taiga Restaurant in La Tania, Pub Le Ski Lodge in La Tania and Lodge du Village in Meribel Village. The full venue list and gigs times will be available very shortly!

2008-01-24 - ski packages on sale
Ski packages are now on sale for the Altitude Festival, with selected tour operators. You can find all the relevent info on the accommodation pages

2008-01-23 - snow again!
snow again, best conditions for 10 years at least!!!!!

2008-01-23 - Glen Wool nominated for Chortle awards
Great News, just broken, Glen Wool has just been nominated for a Chortle award for best headliner (he'll be appearing tonight at Jacks!!!! and again during the festival from 15th April). Please follow the link to vote for him http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2008/01/23/6307/and_the_2008_nominees_are...

2008-01-17 - website visitors reach 4000
Well it says it all in the the title, but for the first time our site is now averaging 4000 visitors per week! Must be the the blog that's pulling you in!

2008-01-16 - Radio interveiw
Listen to R radio (the radio meribel station) for an interveiw with Marcus Brigstocke about the festival. It will be on air at about 9am!

2008-01-14 - first blog for the Altitude Festival
Here we go then, happy to see our very own blog live online. Not entirely sure what a blog is and what we should be doing on it. The other thing is a can't spell for toffee (is it to 'ff's?), so I'm not really sure I'm the right person for the job! Bonjour et bienvenue sur notre premiere Blog (Masculin or feminin je vais jamais le savoir parce qu'il n'est pas dans la dictionaire!)

2007-01-13 - Welcome to our blog
This is our new blog, check on this page to get the latest festival updates.