I’ve always wanted to go to Snowglobe, maybe one day I’ll get there. I asked my friend Rachel (@LilCheesestick) to give me the inside scoop on how to prepare for Snowglobe.
There’s nothing else like it. A music festival in the woods of Lake Tahoe with snow and your best friends. What more could you ask for??
SnowGlobe Music Festival is located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe and is getting bigger and bigger every year. Just down the street from all of the casinos, it takes place at the local community college all out doors during New Year’s Eve weekend. From main stage to Sierra stage and down into The Igloo from 2 pm on this all ages festival is one to experience. Great music, insane art installations and to-die-for culinary experiences: SnowGlobe has it all. As a local to the area, Lake Tahoe is literally in my backyard. It has a special place in my heart. I hope this interests you in the festival and gets others who are going excited and prepared for the 3 day festival.
What to Wear
I know what you’re thinking, it’s freezing! Surprisingly, it’s difficult to prepare for what the weather will be like. There’s been years where the festival grounds are covered in snow and years where it’s been crazy warm. You’re going to think I’m crazy when I tell you that day one was so warm we peeled off layers. Day two I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. It was so warm the snow melted on the last day and we were walking in mud. Then on the first of January there was a crazy blizzard. The number one thing you have to know is Tahoe is bipolar. So be prepared.
I think the most important things to worry about is your head and your feet. These are the places you loose the most heat from so gotta keep them warm. From beanies to ear muffs to even hoods on your footsie pajamas, there’s so many ways to keep warm while still dressing it up if you want! Number 2, your feet. Boots boots boots boots. Once your toes go numb, it is the worst thing ever. One day I wore my snowboarding boots and got nasty blisters. The next day I wore sorel boots which were absolutely perfect. Don’t wear uggs or boots because they get ruined with all the water, snow and mud. Most of my friends in my group found cheap waterproof boots at Walmart. Those allowed them to keep warm while dancing all night in the snow!
Clothing
As for clothes you can do anything! I saw people wear just ski pants and jackets, others dressed it up with neon 80’s jackets, animal onesies, and even light up jackets from IHeartRaves. Layering is the most important thing. We would wear a couple pairs of leggings with thick socks and lots of layers up top as well. While you’re packing, check the weather and be prepared for warm days. As well as negative degree weather because yes it does get that cold there. Have fun with your outfits and go thrift store shopping to find fur jackets, or get a astronaut costume and match with your squad. There’s endless possibilities and can be very fun!!
In the end, waterproof boots, wool socks, beanies, gloves and a warm jacket are a must! The year before last, two of the stages were tents that got very warm during sets, but then last year only one of the stages was an enclosed ten. The bars are all enclosed and heated with room to sit down and take a break from the cold and enjoy a spiked hot chocolate!
Lodging
Now this festival does not offer camping (for obvious reasons), but being located in the heart of Lake Tahoe there are many hotels and motels in the area that you can book a room in for you and your friends. SnowGlobe even has a shuttle pass that you can purchase and have them drive you to and from the festival. They sell parking passes closer to the date. Roads are icy sometimes. Be prepared for that if someone has an All Wheel Drive vehicle or even chains for your tires. My favorite thing to do is rent a cabin up there for my group and it is so nice having multiple rooms for everyone, kitchen and what not! They can get pricey, but splitting it up between a big group makes it easier!
The Lineup!
Porter Robinson?? Khalid? Alison Wonderland? Dillon Francis? Travis Scott? All big names and all going to be at SnowGlobe 2017. SG does a really good job of bringing in a variety of artists to their show. Now I am not one to like Rap and Hip Hop artists at festivals, but I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t enjoy D.R.A.M. last year front row. The lineup adds a wide variety of music that really anyone would like. From crying at Odesza, then head banging at Snails to singing along to Broccoli, all the different artists last year made it such an amazing experience.
Some more artists I’m looking forward to see is k?d, Graves, Snakehips, KRANE, Luca Lush, Louis Futon, Brasstracks and Spag Heddy. I have heard so many amazing things and listened to them on Soundcloud for awhile now. I highly recommend everyone check at least one or two out, you will not be disappointed. From the feels to hard dubstep to everything in between, this lineup has it! Brownies and Lemonade is also featured on the lineup and they always have an art car or something they are featured at like at EDC, Hard Summer and Nocturnal, always bringing out big names and wild b2b’s. At SG this year I’m expecting some exciting surprises from them that weekend!
Here’s a playlist to get you HYPED for this year’s lineup
Service?
TERRIBLE. Texts didn’t go through. Friends were lost. I also had Sprint and Sprint is terrible. BUT remember you’re also literally in the woods
Tickets?
They’re about the same price as other festivals at the same time. They also do a payment plan thank goodness. You can still buy your ticket on the plan and then you keep paying even after its over which is weird, but it was pretty cool. I think they’re around $38.
Grub?
Food and drinks are always expensive but Fireball was a sponsor last year and had $1 shots and you already know your girl pulled out a $5 bill. Definitely invest in a water bag if you don’t already have one, Vibedrations are amazing and always important to stay hydrated when dancing for 10 hours! Also good to have a big one so you can stuff clothes in if you get too warm or they even have lockers to lock your stuff safely away. Festivals always have an amazing food lineup and SG does not disappoint.
The Vibes
Now SnowGlobe doesn’t have too good of a reputation in the festival world. This is a festival, not a rave. So no, PLUR doesn’t really exist much so it’s hard. Kandi isn’t a big thing there and sometimes people can be rude. There is a stigma for bringing lots of frat dudes in basketball jerseys that get drunk all night long. Yeah festivals can be rough but just make sure your tribe is perfect and that’s all you need to worry about. I had an amazing time last year and cannot wait to attend again this December!
After the Festival
They have a lot of after parties at local hotels and such. I really would suggest being there a day or two early before and after. There’s so much to do from hitting up the bars, going to casinos, buying a ski pass ticket to even watching the sunset on a beach. Yes it’s cold outside but it is a beautiful area and everyone needs to experience every inch that they can.
If you need more of a glimpse into SG, check out these videos below!
Odesza ringing in the New Year *crying emoji face*
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