A look at Caprices Festival 2023, the electronic music festival held in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana

For the discerningly gregarious traveller, there can be no greater thrill than Caprices Festival. A fusion of luxury from every imaginable sector, the festival is a magical treat for the senses, and this April it returns over two weekends for a total of six days, in celebration of 20 years at the top.

The festival

For 2023, Caprices introduces five epic stages sprawling over the breath-taking Crans-Montana vista, each with its own carefully curated sound and bespoke look. Whether lounging by one of five idyllic swimming lakes or partying at the top of the Alps, guests can expect an unparalleled experience of all that the Swiss Alps has to offer. And with perfectly apt attention to luxurious detail, Caprices is a worthy addition to anyone’s bucket list.

Uniquely striking a balance between breath-taking nature and cutting-edge technology, this playground to the rich and famous is all set against the hypnotic backdrop of some of Europe’s most exciting electronic music. The decadence of Caprices is unprecedented – achingly chic revellers basking in the sunshine and letting lose amidst the snow-capped mountains. Expect people-watching at its absolute finest.

Headline acts include Jamie XX, Fatboy Slim, Black Coffee, TSHA and DJ Tennis on weekend one, with Sven Väth and Claptone leading the charge on weekend two. Notably, weekend two also includes an immersive ‘Agoriaverse’ courtesy of French artist Agoria, in which dancers will be able to scan a QR code that will trigger experiences including the live minting of an NFT. Only in Switzerland.

For the occasional break from mile-high partying, guests also have access to the smorgasbord of activities on offer across the region.

Predictably, the options are seemingly limitless, from husky sledding with a professional Musher (note: not a typo – that really is their official title) and ice skating al fresco; to luxuriating at a number of luxury thermal baths and spas.

And that’s before you even begin to explore the frankly outrageous number of Michelin Stars that make up Crans-Montana’s gastronomic offering. Much to the delight of both local and visiting foodies, Le Mont Blanc adds a modern twist to traditional Gallic recipes. Think Grandma’s Chicken, plus an intriguingly titled dish ‘The Squirrels Have Gone To Hibernate’. Naturally, presentation is exquisite – both on the plate and courtesy of the 180-degree panoramic views.

A five minute zig-zag down the hill finds the decidedly alpine L’Ours – expertly combing cosy with chic, and offering a delightfully curious ‘surprise menu’ of five to eight courses.

The location

Uber-luxe ski resort Crans-Montana is situated at 1,500m above the Rhone Valley, with ski slopes stretching from the high plateau up to the Plaine Morte Glacier at 3,000m. The sun-drenched resort boasts 140 km of pistes spread over four areas, and has a reputation for a virtually queue-less network of lifts.

Perhaps one of the best kept secrets amongst the skiing elite, it’s a name less bandied about than the likes of Cloisters and Gstaad, but entirely comparable. If you’ve heard of the resort, it’ll likely be as a regular feature on the World Cup skiing schedule or for its impressive array of designer flagships – think Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Hermes.