For more than 10 years, Annecy has been hosting an unmissable ski event. The High Five Festival is the not-to-be-missed event before the season. As well as offering a wide range of films to the public, it provides an opportunity to meet international athletes.
The High Five Festival, a meeting place for skiers
If there is one event that skiers in Haute-Savoie and elsewhere would not miss for anything in the world, it is the High Five Festival. The many films shown at the Pathé cinema in Annecy give a foretaste of the season to come, while the brand village offers the chance to win numerous prizes and to find equipment for the winter.
The headliners at the rendezvous
The High Five is also an opportunity to rub shoulders with professional skiers for a weekend and to think about booking a ski holiday for the February holidays. The autograph sessions will take place one after the other and you will certainly be able to meet some Olympic medallists such as Kévin Rolland and Martin Fourcade or the double giant slalom world champion Tessa Worley. The key is to keep your eyes open, whether you are in the brand village, in a cinema or in the evening. We therefore recommend that you bring a notebook and a pen or don’t forget your helmet if you want to have it signed.
The High Five Festival in figures
Since its creation in 2010, the High Five Festival has not stopped growing. Today, some 600 cinema tickets are sold and 850 industry professionals are present in Annecy on the first weekend of October. More than 25,000 festival-goers are expected each year and more than 3,500 people attend the parties. As for the master class students, there are 200 of them.
Enjoy the event thanks to the practical information
The doors of the High Five Festival open at 12 noon on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, access is possible from 10 am. The festivities take place in three main locations:
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- Le Pâquier.
- The Impérial beach.
- The Pathé cinema.
Throughout the weekend, numerous activities are proposed. And while it is possible to enter High Five World and the High Five Street Food Festival with your dog, we recommend that you do not take your dog with you if you want to make the most of it.
Getting to the High Five Festival
We’d tell you to go to Annecy by sled dog or cross-country ski, but the snow has decided it’s too early to show up. Rest assured, there are alternatives to these options. Cycling, for example, will allow you to avoid the traffic jams of the city centre and not to spend too long looking for a parking space. The train is another solution that will allow you to enjoy Annecy and its Old Town with peace of mind. And if you are planning to come with friends, carpooling can be a good alternative. You can extend the day by attending parties.
Where to stay in Annecy for the High Five Festival?
The ideal place to stay when going to the High Five Festival is in the immediate vicinity of the event. This way, you won’t have to take the car and you will be able to take full advantage of the evenings organised throughout this weekend dedicated to skiing.
HI France Youth Hostel
HI France Youth Hostel is located less than a kilometre from the Château d’Annecy. You can easily walk to the ski festival. The terrace also offers a nice view of the lake.
From 117 euros per night.
Allobroges Park Hotel
This 3-star hotel is located in the city centre of Annecy. It has a car park and its reception is open all day. This is a positive point as you can return at any time you wish.
From 140 euros per night.
Hotel de Savoie Annecy
The Hôtel de Savoie is located in the heart of the Old Town, in a building dating from the 17th century. Less than 100 metres from Lake Annecy, it offers easy access to the Pâquier, the cinema and theImpérial beach.
From 125 euros per night.
Past editions
The 2022 edition
The2022 edition of the High Five Festival will take place from 30 September to 02 October. This year’s event will be based on 5 universes, spread between the Pathé cinema, the Pâquier and the Impérial Palace. A major novelty, the ski festival is turning towards the 4 seasons, including new sports such as mountain biking, trail running and paragliding in the projections.
The 2021 edition
The2021 edition of the High Five was the occasion to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the event. This anniversary was originally scheduled for 2020. As every year, free-ski films were shown at the Pathé cinema. A giant screen was also installed in the gardens of the Impérial Palace, as well as 150 deckchairs.
The 2020 edition
Due to the health crisis, the 2020 High Five was cancelled. The event, which usually marks the beginning of the winter season, has been postponed to 2021. This is a major blow for the agency Like That, which has been running the High Five for the past 10 years. But with the epidemic, it was not possible to protect the thousands of festival goers. The festival’s anniversary has therefore been postponed to 2021.
