Groove Cairngorm – minus snow

The UK’s only snowsports music festival rocked Aviemore for the second year at the weekend – and work will soon start on plans for the 2018 event.

Groove Cairngorm attracted skiers and snowboarders to the slopes of Cairn Gorm Mountain, with apres-ski music laid on at the Badaguish Outdoor Centre, in the heart of Glenmore forest.

Basement Jaxx headlined the event and musical highlights throughout the weekend included the LaFontaines, Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club, house duo Blonde and a DJ set from Mike Skinner of The Streets.

Hundreds of snowsports enthusiasts and party people from throughout the UK descended on Aviemore for the festival.

Sadly, a lack of snow on Saturday curtailed the sporting element to just one day on Friday – but festival goers more than made up for it at the apres-ski party.

Last night, one of the event’s organisers, Dougie Brown, said: “We had another incredible year at Groove Cairngorm.

“We will definitely be back in 2018 and will be starting pulling plans in the coming weeks once the dust settles.

“Again, we cannot thank enough the amazing acts that appeared over the weekend, the very supportive local community and, most importantly, our loyal groovers.”

This year’s event also had performances from acts including The Two Bears, Horsemeat Disco, emerging Highland-based producer Mark Mackenzie and young traditional Scottish act Ho-Ro.

Groove Cairngorm is a spin-off from Groove Loch Ness, which is regularly billed as a “nightclub under the stars” experience on the shores of the fabled waterway.

The winter festival is designed to showcase the range of snowsports and outdoor activities in the Cairngorms, alongside bringing world-class live acts and DJs to the area.

Groove Cairngorm is modelled on the successful European festivals, Snowbombing and Snowboxx.

The LaFontaines on stage at Groove Cairngorm