If you like active vacations, or if you just need something special to anticipate as you slog through the holiday season, a ski vacation is made to order. It’s also a great way to make new friends, and there are several flat-out incredible LGBT ski events scheduled throughout the first three months of the year—from North Carolina, to Vermont, to the most established gay ski weeks out west.
In order to participate fully, you’ll want to learn how to ski or snowboard, and for first-timers this can be a little overwhelming. When you arrive at your destination you have to rent boots and learn how to walk in them. Then you have to rent skis or a snowboard and learn how to attach them to your boots. To prepare for a day of skiing you have to dress in multiple layers of insulation from the cold, including thermal socks, gloves, hat and goggles. And you have to learn how to get on and off a ski lift. That’s all before you consider making your way down the mountain!
But don’t be intimidated. Take it one step at a time, and whenever you get discouraged just look up at the scenic panorama that no doubt presents itself. And after a few hours on a gentle slope with an instructor or patient and trusted friend, you’ll be able to ski or snowboard in just a few hours.
The effort is worth it. Regardless of the location, the mountainous scenery is more beautiful than can be imagined, and the ski or snowboard experience is more exhilarating than can be described.
Gay ski weeks are not inexpensive, but the cost isn’t a whole lot more than an active week in Key West or Provincetown at a nice B&B. Depending on how many you put in a room, expect to pay at least $75-100/night per person, and a lot more if you want a prime location or luxury accommodations. It’ll cost you about $75-200 to rent skis or a snowboard for the week, and $35-75 per day for a lift ticket. Parties and shows are extra, and can be pricey in Aspen and Whistler.
And don’t forget air fare. But in this economy, deals can be had.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest, best, and most accessible gay ski weeks for the upcoming 2011 season:
Utah Gay Ski Week (Jan. 5-9): Many believe the “greatest snow on earth” can be found in Utah, and that’s just one of many reasons to sample this still-growing LGBT winter event. Three dazzling resort towns participate: Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons. And they’re just a half-hour from Salt Lake International Airport, making this the most accessible of all the gay ski weeks. And make no mistake, it’s all about the skiing at world class venues like Alta, Brighton, The Canyons, Snow Basin, Snowbird and Solitude. The lineup of non-ski and after hour activities continues to grow.
Aspen Gay Ski Week (Jan. 16-23): This is the longest-running LGBT winter event in the world, and it remains one of the most popular. It began in 1977, when a handful of gay ski clubs from around the country decided to converge on the tiny winter resort town at the same time.
The week-long event draws several thousand gays and lesbians to the famed winter retreat of movie stars and moguls. There’s almost always great snow on four spectacular mountains: Buttermilk for beginners; Snowmass for all levels; Aspen (Ajax Mountain) for intermediate and up; and Aspen Highlands for the ambitious. And the charming village, filled with high-end restaurants (make reservations), galleries and boutiques, lives up to its billing. At night, Aspen’s many bars turn into hot gay nightclubs. This year the theme is “Wild Wild West,” so expect lots of shirtless cowboys. A sexy pool party was added to the lineup a few years ago. Aspen can be pricey, but accommodations can be shared, deals can be had, and you don’t have to experience white tablecloth French cuisine every night.
Stowe Winter Rendezvous (Jan. 19-23): At an elevation of 4,400 feet, Mount Mansfield may not be as high as the Colorado or Utah peaks, but Burlington is just a three-hour flight from Florida. And this event, celebrating 27 years in 2011, attracts fun (and Bearish) crowds from New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and the entire eastern seaboard. The area features 11 trails, with distinct areas for all levels, including snowboarders. At night there’s a Bonfire Bash, sing-along, disco dance party, and comedy show featuring the likes of Varla Jean Merman.
Whistler WinterPRIDE (Jan. 30-Feb. 6): Now the biggest annual gay ski week, Whistler offers up one of the world’s biggest ski resorts, exciting circuit-type parties at night, and a full lineup of events—from cooking classes to ecotours to dog sledding—for non-skiers. Whistler is just an hour east of Vancouver; a modern and stylish community filled with gay-friendly hotels, restaurants and shops. On the heels of the 2010 Winter Olympics, last year’s WinterPRIDE drew upwards of 10,000 to the glam little ski town. This year, scheduled parties include a Welcome Party, a wild Pool Party at the local sports centre, a fetish-themed Furrocious Party, and the famed Saturday night Snowball, held high atop 7,000-foot Mt. Whistler. There’s also a full lineup of women’s events.
Vail Gay Ski Week (Late Jan./Early Feb.): This is a more intimate LGBT winter event, but in a powder paradise blessed with extra-wide trails, seven bowls, three terrain parks, and three distinct mountain areas. Vail Village is a charming, almost Disney-perfect, European style resort town. And events like the Turtle Bus Sex Toy Ride (featuring stripper pole!) and Livid Lesbian Wrestling make this event is especially popular with the ladies. Other highlights include a big pancake breakfast, polar-bear swim and dance party.
NC Gay Ski Weekend (Feb. 4-6): The closest LGBT ski event to Florida is this weekend-long event in Blowing Rock, N.C., an hour or so northwest of Asheville. Skiing is at Appalachian Mountain, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain. This far south the weather can be unpredictable, but at 5,000-plus feet these resorts offer surprisingly reliable winter snow—and plenty of snowmaking machines when the need arises. For first-timers, or those with only a weekend for skiing this year, North Carolina could be the perfect option. There are plenty of slopes, and plenty of ski instructors ready to guide you. Organizers promise details on parties and other events will be posted by Oct. 1 at their web site.
Telluride Gay Ski Week (Feb. 26-Mar.5): If you’ve done Aspen and Whistler, Telluride may be just your lift ticket. Named “Top Gay Ski Week” in the nation by Gay.com, it offers a spirited but unpretentious week of events in two neighboring Colorado ski villages: charming, upscale Telluride; and the more hip, urbane and European-style Mountain Village. Highlights include: the LOGO Lounge, a getaway just steps away from the slope in Mountain Village where you can meet fellow skiers and sample programming; the T-Shack, a restaurant and bar located on the mountain and open exclusively for gay ski week guests; a festive Oscar-Watching Party; and the White Night Party, a Telluride tradition held at The Peaks.
Lake Tahoe WinterFest (March 6-11): Billed as the “friendliest” gay ski week, this trip has plenty going for it: fantastic late season snow; great skiing, primarily on Heavenly Mountain, but also at a half-dozen other local venues on the south side of Lake Tahoe; breathtaking views overlooking the largest Alpine lake in North America; and lots to do in an accessible, affordable resort town. With an average 35 feet of snow and 300 days of sunshine you’re pretty much guaranteed excellent conditions, and there are terrains for skiers of all levels. For gamblers, there are several major casinos, and they usually bring in gay-friendly entertainers throughout the week. There’s also a comedy night and plenty of après ski events at Lakeland Village, the beautiful host facility right on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. Nighttime parties are fun, but more low-key than Aspen and Whistler.
