GayWhistler’s WinterPRIDE is celebrating its 20th Annual Gay & Lesbian Ski Week with many exciting firsts including: a Pride March, Official Proclamation from Whistler, and a Pride Run.
Whistler, BC (January 24, 2012) The WinterPRIDE count down is on with just twelve days away as Whistler prepares to host gay & lesbian travelers from all over the world on February 5th thru 12th. The 20th annual Gay & Lesbian Ski/Snowboard week is one of Whistler’s longest running events and this year to commemorate this milestone, the Resort Municipality of Whistler will officially proclaim the festival as Pride Week making Whistler one of the first ski resorts in the world to make such an official civic proclamation.
“Whistler is proud to welcome back WinterPRIDE, now in its 20th year. The Resort Municipality of Whistler embraces the diversity that the LGBTT community represents. The municipality is committed to working with community partners to continue making Whistler an inclusive mountain resort.
Thanks to GayWhistler, the WinterPRIDE week has become an iconic annual event that adds to the vibrancy of Whistler in the winter season. On behalf of Whistler Council in honour of the 20th Annual, I am pleased to proclaim, February 5 – 12, 2012 ‘Pride Week in Whistler’,” stated Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden.
On Thursday, February 9th will be the official Pride day in Whistler with Whistler’s first ever WinterPRIDE 5KM run hosted by the Vancouver Front Runners at 9AM.
At 2.45PM the resort’s first official Pride “Ski Out” will take place on Whistler mountain starting at Olympic Station (Mid-station) skiing down to the Skiers’ Plaza where at
3PM will meet non-ski festival participants as they march through the village to the Whistler Conference Centre.
At 5PM a short Retrospective of the festival will take place followed by the Mayor of Whistler addressing the festival attendees at the Whistler Conference Centre and presenting an official Proclamation of Pride Week to the festival organizers.
“To have our civic government recognize the LGBT community with this official proclamation and to fly the Pride flag at the Municipal Hall, is a very big deal. In Canada, for the most part, the LGBT community are treated as equal citizens. However, in many communities and countries where some of our guests are from they are not. In some cases to be gay is illegal and cold result in a death penalty, imprisonment, or corrective rape. In other cases they may have restricted privileges in which they are not allowed to marry the person they love, or visit their loved one in a hospital and may be denied survivor benefits just for being gay. Having our Municipal government making such a public proclamation signals to the LGBT community that this is a safe and welcome destination and validates that all of our guests will be treated as an equal human being,” said Dean Nelson, CEO & Executive Producer of WinterPRIDE. “This is a very exciting year for us. We have come a long way and have had an amazing journey in getting here and need to remember everyone that has helped us get to where we are today.”
The 2012 festival includes eight days and 65 events some of the highlights include:
Daily Ski/Snowboard Guiding presented by Air New Zealand. Nightly theme parties including: ‘Up Yer Kilt,’ ‘Echo Valley Ranch Cowboy & Cowgirl Party,’ ‘Gender Bender Drag Ball,’ ‘Pool Party,’ ‘Furrocious – Bear, Leather, Denim Party,’ lesbian themed events including ‘Purrlesque,’ and ‘Shred Betties,’ and the farewell dance party ‘Snowball 20′. Filming of OUTtv Reality TV Show for Mr. Gay Canada competition. Culinary events, Health & Wellness Events and Non-Ski activities such as dog sledding, snowmobile, skeleton, snowshoing and ZipTreking.
Entertainment include: Actor/Comedian Jason Stuart, Country Recording Artist Patrick Masse, Pop Recording Artist Tyrell Witherspoon, burlesque artists Burgundy Brixx & Madame Mae I, Cellist Cris Derksen, International DJ’s Manny Lehman, Ted Eiel, Tim Jones, Dan Murphy, and many more. For more information please visit gaywhistler.com
WinterPRIDE 2012 runs from February 5-12, 2012, and continues to revolutionize the traditional gay ski week format with its unique blend of four winter festival elements: Sports, Culinary, Health and Wellness, and Entertainment.
In addition to the world-class skiing and snowboarding being offered in Whistler, many of WinterPRIDE’s regular highlights will return for 2012, such as an array of dance parties, culinary events, zip trekking and dog sledding. WinterPRIDE 2012 also offers an expanded program of on-and-off mountain events, including special events for lesbians and bears.
Room only rates start at $161/night and ski packages start at just $130/person/night (Valid: Feb. 5-12/12) for more information call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at GayWhistler.com
