The big FREEZE…

Taking a trip to the mountains… just jump on the tube.

Freeze, in Association with Metro is back. The winter sports festival, now in its sixth year, moved resorts last week – or venue anyway. With an après-inspired atmosphere festival-goers enjoyed a ski holiday in London, previously with the Battersea Power Station as the towering peaks behind providing an iconic background. But from November 27 to December 1 Clapham Common was taken over by snow bunnies.

If you can’t actually be on the slopes to celebrate the kick-off to the new season, this provided an ideal compromise, pulling in skiers and boarders from all over. It felt like you’d just come off the slopes – all be it a little early – as the gates opened at noon and après started with a bang.

In the past Freeze has had an impressive line-up to entertain the crowds, last year included Mark Ronson vs Zane Lowe, and with 30,000 keen snow fans coming along this year a tip-top performer was called-upon – with Madeon heading up the main-stage on Saturday. The 19-year-old super-producer form France has been sought after for remixes and engineering from the big names in the music world, including Pendulum and Lady Gaga with his track Pop Culture gaining a staggering 20 million views on YouTube. Joining him for electric performances were DJ Fresh – who’s worked with Rita Ora and Rizzle Kicks, among others – and The Cuban Brothers, who whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

The Hail the Rail competition saw a pretty epic set-up with names such as Jamie Nicholls, Juho Kilkki, Mikey Rowlands and Andy Nudds nabbing the top spots – cheered on of course by the more than enthusiastic crowd that gathered to watch.

Not forgetting one of the most important aspects of the ski world – après. With legendry après haunts such as Ibiza Rocks the Snow and Krazy Kangaroo getting in on the action London provided some of the best Alps Après.

Visit the website for more info. www.freezefestival.com