eighth April 2026 | Jane Peel, Mayrhofen, Austria
What’s essentially the most enjoyable you’ll be able to have in a ski resort once 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 among the snow puns that litter the pageant brochure, it guarantees the viewers ‘an avalanche of enjoyable’ a ‘sledge-load of snickers’ and a ‘blizzard of leisure’.
The thought is to ski all day and giggle all evening.
Now, anybody who is aware of me will let you know that I’m not an evening owl.
And I’m undoubtedly too outdated to deal with late nights earlier than a full day of snowboarding.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 concurrently the Altitude Comedy Competition.
The 2 occasions are affiliated and everybody concerned in The BRITS will get a 20% low cost on pageant tickets.
There are a number of reveals each 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 pageant, Marcus Brigstocke, up to now.
Marcus Brigstocke on the Altitude Comedy Competition 2026. Picture © PlanetSKI
Marcus is simply of one among a number of big-name comics right here.
Stars of stage, display and radio, award-winners, lots of whom have been to Altitude a number of instances and begged to come back 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 pageant co-founder, Andrew Maxwell, does it in lederhosen.
Regardless of the climate.
Andrew Maxwell in his lederhosen. Picture © PlanetSKI
For the remainder 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 actually 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, prime 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 picture 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.
For those who occur to be snowboarding when it’s on, I extremely suggest catching not less than one of many reveals.
Possibly even guide your journey to coincide with the pageant, although the small print for 2027 aren’t but obtainable.
I’m shocked by how many individuals I meet aren’t really snowsport lovers.
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 pageant 10 years in the past.
“We noticed it marketed in The Guardian as one of many prime 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 throughout the day.
Mayrhofen just isn’t a foul place to spend a while, even away from the slopes.
Mayrhofen. Picture © PlanetSKI
Though my motive for being on the town was to attend The BRITS, I genuinely beloved each minute of the reveals I attended.
Just some of my standout stand-ups had been Emmanuel Sonubi, Al Murray (aka The Pub Landlord), Rob Rouse and Jason Byrne.
Emmanuel Sonubi on the 2026 Altitude Comedy Competition. Picture © Altitude Comedy Competition
Al Murray, The Pub Landlord, on the 2026 Altitude Comedy Competition. Picture © Altitude Comedy Competition
I at all times selected my seat rigorously.
Apres ski present on the Altitude Comedy Competition. Picture © PlanetSKI
By no means sit on the entrance until you’re completely happy to be ribbed mercilessly, and even dragged onto the stage to develop into a part of the present.
Just like the baby safeguarding volunteer who’d introduced his 14-year-old alongside to what’s unquestionably an grownup present.
Or the 4 males picked on to recreate Queen’s iconic video of Bohemian Rhapsody, framed by a hula hoop.
Viewers participation on the 2026 Altitude Comedy Competition. Picture © Altitude Comedy Competition
I’m laughing now, simply recalling it.
They name it the funniest present on snow.
They’re not flawed.
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