Horizon Festival, Europe’s Greatest Ski Party

Co-Founder of Horizon Festival, Zane Rambaran takes us through  just what you can expect at Europe’s best ski party in 2015!

From an initial idea in 2012 of flying out a handful of DJs to play in a Bulgarian ski resort, Horizon Festival has fast become a mecca for dance led snow enthusiasts with the event showcasing over 80 international underground DJs. What’s so brilliant about Horizon is the resort itself, Bansko, and just how cheap everything is. There are no hidden prices in the fees and it only costs £2 for a pint, or you can eat out like a King for as little as £20!

Forget your usual Christmas card alpine setting, Bansko is a unique and edgy ski town that provides Horizon Festival with an amazing playground to create 30 awesome parties. One of my favourites is the Secret Hotel, an abandoned hotel set in a mountain forest clearing. We pretty much just turn up, strap a sound system to the foundations and flick the power on at 2pm each day, creating a warehouse party vibe minus the walls! Bansko’s diverse range of clubs and venues provide us with intimate to vast sound arenas and we utilise all of them throughout the week, mixing up the venues each night. Then there’s the Gardenia Hotel with its double level medieval banquet hall – needless to say this is turned into a Horizon venue for the week creating a pop-up that’s become a firm favourite with our DJs.

Even the edgier corners of Bansko nightlife are not immune to the festival, as the Gogo bars have become used to hosting at least one Horizon takeover at some point during the week!

I’m pretty excited to have a brand new 2000 capacity venue for 2015, which will be the setting for our two main stage headline nights.

The atmosphere really builds in Bansko across the arrival weekend as the town fills with boarders, skiers and partygoers. Pre-festival warm up parties commence Friday night, and by Sunday the daytime mountain side stages are in full throttle, followed by three or four late night parties around the Ski Centre. The Horizon team will be working overtime to get everyone fully orientated, including welcome drink bar shunts acquainting attendees with the best drinking places – as well as with each other. An international party set adds to the growing excitement as we welcome neighbouring Greeks, Israelis, Aussies, Scandinavians and other nationals who join UK trendsetters and locals. By Monday, with everyone arrived and fully kitted out the festival comes to its first full crescendo as our headliners bring everyone together in one 2000+ late night arena party.

So in just three years, from an initial idea to bring a handful of DJs out to Bulgaria, Horizon Festival has morphed into a full-on hedonistic ski party presenting the best underground and cutting edge talent around. We could not have done it without the brilliant, yet largely undiscovered resort of Bansko.

My favourite restaurant
Salt and Pepper – situated next door to Pirin 75 Bar. You know you’re in for a good night when, just to get into the restaurant, you have to navigate past a whole lamb spit roasting over hot coals.

My favourite club/bar
Aside from the Horizon venues it has to be Pirin 75 Bar, which is the natural refueling spot. Popular with seasoners and always packed to the rafters it is the hub of Bansko. A great many late nights during the planning stages of Horizon have been invested here – a lot of whisky has been drunk!

Other areas of interest/things to do
Bansko Old town is dripping in culture, so anyone who wants a respite from the Festival just needs to go on a walk around the tiny paved streets – the ancient houses are fascinating, the Church a must. Travel a little further out of town and you will find plenty of hot thermal springs and baths where you can bathe in hot waters thick with minerals and salts. Don’t forget that the mountain is a world heritage site and the mountains are just stunning. Keep an eye out for bears!

Alongside the snow and non-stop partying, Horizon will also be putting on a few extras for our visitors this year. If the late nights are getting to you, or you just need a bit of TLC, there will be spa packages available and poolside Ibiza Chill-Out Sessions. Or, if you’re up for more action, why not get involved in snow mobiling, igloo building, the snow ball fight league, flash mob ski downs or the House and Techno vs. Bass and Garage Paintball war – the war to end all wars, where you defend your genre in this Pirin Mountain Forest colour bombing riot. For those looking to perfect their boarding technique, there will also be ‘Ride with the Pros’ sessions, where professional riders will show you snow park tips, tricks and demos for as little as £55!

Horizon Festival are offering BBM readers an exclusive discount of £20 when they book using the promo code BBM20. 

To book your ticket to Horizon Festival 2015 visit www.horizonfestival.net