For music lovers, Paradice Music’s ice concerts in Italy are a dream in sub-zero temperatures

But when you’re skiing in Pontedilegno-Tonale, an area known for its vast treeless beginner ski area, imposing Presena glacier and expert-level slopes, there’s a third option for evening entertainment: attending the Paradice Music Festival. This is a series of classical and contemporary concerts held on select evenings each winter.

Imagine taking a gondola up to 8,000 feet, where a snow-capped glacier stretches above the clouds. There, as the sun sets over the snow-capped peaks, you see a discreet mound of white snow, revealing a single wooden door. Step through and you’ll realize it’s actually a glistening glass igloo, set up like an amphitheater. Once you settle into your seat (actually an ice bench with a few cushions), you’ll start looking around and notice the highlight: every instrument, from the drums to the cello to the guitar and everything in between, is made of ice. There are ice horns, ice ukuleles, and even a frozen didgeridoo.

ParadIce Music’s ice concerts are among the most unique in the world, sure to melt even the coldest skeptic’s heart.

How Paradice’s Ice Music Concerts Came to Be

I was lucky enough to attend one of ParadIce Music’s concerts, where the band performed a tribute to Queen. It was one of two dozen concerts during the 2023-2024 winter season that have become a celebrated tradition in the small town of Passo del Tonale in the Italian Dolomites. Born from a desire to showcase the region’s stunning natural beauty while also showcasing local musicians, these concerts have become something truly special. Each year, the concerts attract both tourists and international musicians, although the house band is extremely talented even without a known lead singer.

The idea for the Paradice Music festival was born in 2017 when American artist Tim Linhart built an ice cello on the glacier. Remarkably, the cello then travelled across Italy to major theatres, played by the famous Italian composer and cellist Giovanni Sollima. After its final concert in Sicily, it melted grandiosely into the Mediterranean Sea. This experience inspired Linhart to return in 2018 to build a 200-seat ice theatre – which he did, along with ice instruments, with the help of artists from nearby villages. This was the first year of the Paradice Music concerts. They now take place every year, with local artists breathing new life into the instruments, ice igloo and events each winter.

About Ice Concerts

The igloo hall at Paradice Music is refurbished every year, so concerts only take place during the cold winter months, from January to March. Concerts are usually held twice a week, on Thursday and Saturday evenings, and a full programme of events is usually published on the Ponte di Legno-Tonale website at the start of the ski season. Typically, one evening is devoted to a Paradice Orchestra tribute show, as in my Queen-inspired concert, while the other evening features a guest artist.

Last season’s lineup featured a diverse range of talent, from regional folk music to well-known Italian opera singers, local classical composers, and tributes to famous British artists like the Beatles and Queen. Paradice Music’s 2024-25 concerts will include a tribute to Seattle’s grunge scene (so get ready for some Nirvana) and an Irish folk band, among other unique choices.

Ticket prices vary depending on the event and the artists, ranging from 30 to 50 euros ($33 to $55), with reduced rates for children. You’ll also need to buy the gondola ticket (12 euros, or $13) if you don’t have a ski pass. You can buy tickets for the concert on the day at the base of the gondola, but the intimate setting means you’ll need to book your tickets in advance to secure a spot, especially for the more popular concerts. Online sales close 48 hours before each concert.

Ponte di Legno-Tonale is accessible by car from major cities like Milan (2 hours 45 minutes) or Verona (2 hours 30 minutes), and the scenic drive through the Dolomites adds to the adventure. The journey can be much slower during winter snowstorms, but there is plenty of free parking at the base of the Paradiso gondola, even if you arrive a little late. Public transport to the area is limited.

I would recommend extending your stay by a few days to enjoy the beautiful ski area, though. The whole area is called Pontedilegno-Tonale and is made up of four separate zones. They have 24km of beginner (blue) slopes, 61km of red (intermediate) slopes and nine black (expert) slopes. All are accessible directly from the town of Passo del Tonale, at the foot of the Paradiso gondola, which takes you to the concerts. It is a relatively small resort compared to European ski resorts, but it offers plenty to keep you busy for a few days, including night skiing four days a week. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants in Passo del Tonale.

Tips for Attending Paradice Music Festival

The atmosphere is enchanting, but the temperatures are chilly: you are on a glacier, after all. It often snows at altitude and you will have to wait outside after exiting the gondola until the igloo doors open 15 minutes before the concert. Once inside the igloo, it is still cold and the ice melts above 0 °C, so any heating or fire would spoil the show.

It is highly recommended to wear warm ski clothing, including ski pants and jackets, insulated boots, gloves and a hat to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the evening. An insulated down jacket under a ski shell would be useful. You can expect the musicians to wear their winter underwear and thick hats and jackets – stage attire that is completely different from the evening wear they are probably used to.

It’s also best to arrive as early as possible. Concerts typically start at 6pm, and if you have a ticket, you can ride the gondola starting at 5:30pm. Taking the gondola as early as possible will put you at the front of the line at the entrance, and while this means more time outside in the cold, it also means you can get a seat near the front, as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sitting near the front allows you to see the impressive ice instruments up close. That said, the igloo is relatively small, so you’ll still have a good view from the back row. The musicians usually stay for a few minutes after the concert so guests can see the ice instruments in person, even if they’re among the last to be seated.

The restaurants at the top of the gondola are usually closed by the time the concerts start, so don’t expect to find drinks or snacks at the top. However, guests are welcome to bring insulated bottles, so feel free to bring hot tea or chocolate for the show. On some nights, the Passo Paradiso Restaurant and Bar (which also has an ice hotel) at the top of the gondola opens after the concert, so you can enjoy a multi-course dinner at high altitude if you’ve made a reservation in advance. But even if you don’t manage to secure a table on one of these special nights, the concerts usually only last an hour or so, so you’ll have plenty of time for a late dinner (or some of those delicious bombardini) just a few minutes away at Passo del Tonale.

Whether you are a music enthusiast or just looking for a memorable experience, Paradice Music’s ice concerts will satisfy you. Attending one of them is such a unique and enchanting experience that, if you are like me, you will think they are just as impressive as the mountains themselves.