This story was created by Xtra's branded content team alongside Whistler Pride, separate from Xtra's editorial staff.
Celebrating a quarter century, Whistler Pride and Ski Festival 2017 presents a dazzling variety of events on and off the slopes. Visitors from across Canada and beyond will be tearing it up and bringing a whole new meaning to heel drag, switch and grind.
Having got the inside scoop from Gay Whistler CEO, Dean Nelson, here’s our rundown of five must-do events at Whistler Pride 2017.
Wednesday, Jan 25
Snow Landing by Pam Ann
Described by Madonna as “cruelly funny,” Pam Ann is an international comedy superstar who touches down in Whistler during the middle of Pride Week. In this hilarious interactive show, your celebrity airhostess offers biting satire from the crew above the clouds.
Sure to be a highlight of Whistler Pride, this show will sell out fast, so set your tray tables to the upright position and get ready for this riotous flight of fancy. Pam Ann has crewed Elton John’s private jet and has shared a stage with Cher, and her Snow Landing show at Whistler Pride is destined to have you laughing in the aisles.
Pre-boarding starts at 7:30pm at the Whistler Conference Centre
In-flight entertainment begins at 8pm
Arrivals Lounge post show meet and greet party begins at 10pm at CABN (Whistler Pride’s official gay bar for the week) at the Aava Whistler Hotel.
Thursday, Jan 26
Splash Pool Party with DJ Pornstar
A surefire way to get wet at Whistler Pride, the ever-popular Splash Pool Party features DJ Pornstar for a hot, steamy evening. Bring your towel, swimsuit and cash for the bar, manned this year by celebrity bartender Ryan Steele.
Free shuttles leave from the Aava Hotel every 30 minutes, starting at 9:30pm. Coat check and lockers are available on site, and you’ll need to get your tickets in advance (online or at the Aava Hotel) as there are no tickets available at the pool itself.
Meadow Park Sports Centre
10pm–2am
Friday, Jan 27
Seventh Annual Pride Ski Parade
Celebrating diversity on and off the slopes, the seventh annual Pride Ski Parade is something to behold! This free event takes place on Whistler Mountain starting at mid-station at the Whistler Village Gondola and makes its glorious, glittery way to Skier’s Plaza before marching through the village to the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Fly your flags with pride among your fellow Pride skiers as you escort the massive Pride flag down the mountain to the Whistler Conference Centre. This is not your typical pride parade!
3–4pm
Furrocious
If you’re at all interested in seeing a ballroom full of hot queers in uniforms, Furrocious is the place to be at Whistler Pride. This military ball is a chance to polish your brass and dress up in your finest regalia, or don your (clean) sports kit, leathers, or whatever other uniform floats your boat.
Headlined by DJ Micky Friedmann from Berlin, this ball is set to be one of Pride’s most popular events, with tickets selling out fast.
Whistler Conference Centre
10pm–2am
Jan 23–28
Ski Guiding at Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains
Taking place every day Monday to Saturday during Pride, complimentary ski guiding with Whistler Pride is always a favourite. Whether you’re a pro on the powder or this is your first time on the slopes, the ski guide program is a great way to explore the area.
Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski resort with over 3,200 hectares, and was named the number one ski resort in North America for the third year running by the 29th annual SKI Magazine Reader’s Poll. The resort also won top spot in the categories for terrain variety and off-hill activities, of which there are plenty during Pride.
Skiers and snowboarders meet every day at 9:45am during Pride Week. Your experienced guides will place you with fellow skiers or riders of similar abilities, offering great opportunities to make lasting friendships while staying safe on the slopes.
Whistler is a special destination at Pride, drawing attendees from across the world to enjoy all the fun of a Pride event with the bonus of beautiful mountain adventures.
While most of the guests in recent years have been cis gay men, Whistler Pride has a growing contingent of trans folks, lesbians, and bisexual ski bunnies.
For those who don’t ski, Whistler offers plenty of other diversions, including an abundance of spas, one of the largest private collections of Emily Carr’s work at the new Audain Art Museum, snowshoeing trails close to Whistler Village, The First Nations Museum, and the Whistler Sliding Centre and Superfly Ziplines.
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival
Jan 22–29, 2017
gaywhistler.com
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