Snowbizz Events promoter Will Mclean has been in and about the scene for some time now. “I’ve promoted a lot of stuff in the past: I did Saturdays at the Prince of Wales [Melbourne] for about seven years, then clubs like Redhead and Saratoga.” After touring internationals for a while Will found himself at a point where “I really wanted to start promoting Aussies and more lifestyle oriented stuff – taking parties to a cleaner environment. That’s when Snowbizz really started.”

The Snowbizz team promotes a variety of nights: “we do the Billabong Freeway tour in conjunction with Channel V, the Smirnoff Ice inthemix On Tour events and the Back to the Top series of events in conjunction with JJJ” – and their music policy seems dictated to only by quality. “I’ll promote anything I think is good,” Will says. “That’s the only thing that limits our scope. We currently feature anything from hip-hop to house and acoustic gigs. This season we have guys like Kid Kenobi, 1200 Techniques and Scribe – a lot of variety basically.”

David Faul promotes the Lunacy snow parties in Jindabyne, NSW, and has run everything from harbour cruises to tea parties, snow tours and underground masquerade ‘orgies’, but “the snow Parties are definitely my favourites.”

Music differs from party-to-party: “the Lunacy Snow Tour is a journey more than a specific policy. We’re about promoting a variety of different styles that lift you up, drop you down and then swing you round and round. I regard it as house music in its element,” says David. David has been part of the alpine social scene for some time, having run a bar in the snow three seasons back to back. “In that time I had seen some pretty average parties run. I knew what I liked and knew I was not the only one in the mountains yearning for more than just a DJ, some lights and a dancefloor. It’s really such an addictive lifestyle.”

In an environment that often finds them loading production gear in sub-zero blizzards, for these promoters being snow-lovers themselves is almost a pre-requisite for success. Matt and Paul run snow events company Off The Rails, and were inspired to promote in the snow by their love of snowboarding. Says Matt: “My business partner and friend Paul Heffernan approached me a few years ago to get the parties going on, we both enjoy snowboarding so it makes for a perfect winter getaway, combining both work and play.”

David from Lunacy is equally enthusiastic: “Skiing and snowboarding is like sex: when it is good it is really, really good and when it is bad it is still pretty good! I am 110% addicted to skiing. There is nothing in the world like it!”

The Off The Rails music policy follows a similar line to Matt and Paul’s parties in Sydney. “Our Sydney parties tend to be tech electro house and deep funky house, while the snow events are a mash-up of styles from house, breaks, hip hop, electro even a bit of drum’n’bass finds its way in there.”

Booking snow-loving performers is also an important part of promoting alpine-style. Chris Lawrence, promoter of Blizzard parties, says that: “we don’t really tour anyone who doesn’t dig the snow. They have to really like the environment for it to be worth our while for us to invite them down here. I don’t really have time for prima donnas and you won’t have anywhere near as good a time if you don’t like the snow.” David agrees: “I find it hard getting DJs to do anything! No, seriously, you either love the snow or hate it – there’s no in-between. I do my best to find the guys that love it, and get along well with their fellow colleagues.”

After six years in the snow Chris doesn’t find venues too hard to come by. “It will always be a challenge to find the right venue as a promoter but after doing this for six years we have a good relationship with most of the venue managers down here, so we don’t have any major problems, no.” But while Matt and Paul haven’t found themselves stuck out in the snow, they do acknowledge that “it can be hard at times coordinating venue availability and venue managers – they often have their own ideas for themeing that you have to work with. That said, we always dress the stage and areas of the room to a theme, it creates a wicked atmosphere.” David agrees: “Yeah I think you need a common theme or element to set yourselves apart from the run of the mill parties. Themes are a lot of fun if done properly.”

Is it genuinely possible to promote a party for ‘serious’ music lovers in the snow? David: “Its funny, I honestly think it’s a bit of both – some people are there for the DJs and the music, others are there because it is the only venue that they are likely to get laid in!”

Does the alpine air affect people’s moods? “Yes is does! Because you are at altitude it does affect people differently. When you first arrive it is the worst, after a while your body adjusts,” David says. “The air is thinner and the change in temperature does play tricks on your body so I advise people to take it easy.” Matt concurs: “Totally – I don’t know if it’s the altitude or the fact that people are three or four hours away from their home city but the vibe is very different to city parties.”

All three seem to agree on the best aspects of their snow businesses: “the atmosphere, the snowboarding and the people,” says Chris. Says Matt: “The people, honestly I have met some of the most amazing people in the Snowy Mountains, they are all there for the same reason: to party, to ski or snowboard and to live life to the max.”

And the worst aspect? “It only goes for 3 months,” says David.

For more information on parties held on the snowfield, check out these links: