An avalanche of laughter is promised at the Altitude Comedy Festival 2012 - Andrew Maxwell, Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, Al Murray and more

Altitude Comedy Festival

Festival concepts are expanding and changing with every year that passes and this one is surely one of the most tempting. Let me run this by you - stunning snow-covered mountains, 600km of the finest powdery pistes, bars, nightclubs, Jimmy Carr, oodles of skiing, Frankie Boyle, Austrian hospitality, spas, Al Murray and luxurious hotels.

The keen-eyed will have noticed a few comedians in that mix - this is because the Altitude Comedy Festival is a laughter-fest with a difference. Hosted by the beautiful alpine ski-resort of Mayrhofen in Austria, Altitude boasts dozens of big name comedians performing within the confines of venues surrounded by mountain pines and glaciers - plus the odd chance to whizz down some of the finest European slopes. With plenty of bars on site, you can go on the piste before going on the, er, well you get the idea.

So who's providing the snow-capped capers? The opening gala night on Monday 26th March (£55) will feature Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle plus others, while the following evenings include Tim Minchin, Milton Jones and Kevin Bridges (Tuesday 27th - £40), Al Murray, Kevin Bridges and Phil Nichol (Wednesday 28th - £40), Ed Byrne, Frankie Boyle again, Phill Jupitus and more (Thursday 29th - £40), before the final closing gala on the Friday 30th (£50) starring Tim Minchin, Rufus Hound, curator Andrew Maxwell and a very special guest!

More names will be added to the line-up. Meanwhile just think of the fun you'll have on the slopes this spring! Don't forget your skis!

At the time of writing, flights are available from EasyJet for just £91 from Gatwick to Salzburg (25th - 31st March), £99 from Manchester to Salzburg via Thomas Cook (24th - 31st March), with many other options available.

Paul Pledger