Our 8th annual rundown of gay ski weeks across North America in 2014
ARNOLD WAYNE JONES | Life+Style Editor
Gay ski weeks used to be edgy, new things. Starting with Aspen 36 years ago (and still the first of the season), they’ve added annually. This season, the newest event will turn 4, while most have more than 10 years under their belts. That gives snowmosexuals a lot of well-established options to bunny-hop and après-ski at. So snap on your binders and wax those skis — here’s our annual rundown on the major North American gay ski weeks for 2014.
Aspen Gay & Lesbian Ski Week, Aspen, Colo. Jan. 12–19. The forerunner of gay ski weeks has events at Aspen, Snowmass and Highlands for this, its 37th annual winter party. To commemorate the banner year the gay community had legally in 2013, the week’s festivities will include the largest gay civil union ceremony ever, plus dinners, cocktail receptions, dances, hot tub parties and even a Movie Night and Comedy Gala hosted by Mario Cantone. GaySkiWeek.com.
Winter Rendezvous XXVIII, Stowe, Vt. Jan. 22–26. You can segue right from Aspen to the opposite side of the country for Winter Rendezvous in Stowe, Vt. The 28th outing includes a performance by Well Strong and the now-traditional Sound of Music sing-along (Stowe was the American home of the Von Trapps), with seven other events, parties and shows, including the Kinsey Sicks and a Pool Party with DJ Harrison and the Blow Out Party with Steve Mardsen. WinterRendez vous.com.
WinterPride, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Jan. 26–Feb. 2. Whistler’s big annual ski week turns 22 a week earlier than last year’s festivities, and features a cowboy/cowgirl night of hoedowns and line dancing, plus a trip through the rabbit hole for the Mad Hatter Party. GayWhistler.com.
Elevation Utah, Park City, Utah. Feb. 20–23. Park City, Utah’s Gay Ski Week, celebrates its fourth year in the same city as the Sundance Film Festival with DJ Blacklow, DJ Brett Henrichsen and DJ Josh Peace among the musicmakers spinning over the weekend. UtahGaySki.com.
Telluride Gay Ski Week, Telluride, Colo. Feb. 21–March 2. Named the U.S.A.’s top gay ski week by Gay.com, the Mountain Village event is back with its 11th incarnation, which again runs 10 days this year. Get your Gay Card for discounts (including your first day of skiing for free), to enjoy the costumed skiing, the nighttime parties and the gala fashion show that typically caps the week. (It’s put on by Dallas’ own Straight Out Media & Marketing.) TellurideGaySkiWeek.com.
Elevation: Mammoth, Mammoth Lakes, Calif. March 12–16. Turning 12 this year, and put on by the same folks who do Elevation Utah, this event expects 2,500 skiers and snowboarders, while hosting nine parties … and countless memories. DJs Manny Lehman, Casey Alva, Dawna Montell and Drew G will provide the musical backdrop. MammothGaySki.com.
OutBoard Gay and Lesbian Snowboard Week, Steamboat Springs, Colo. March 25–30. This gay winter week that targets snowboarders especially is unique for always changing locations. It moves back to the charming resort town of Steamboat Springs for its fifth event in the 19th year of the event. OutBoard.org.
Last year, Lake Tahoe WinterFest, in Lake Tahoe, Nev., took place March 3–10; as of press time, they had not confirmed dates for 2014, but check out LakeTahoeWinterfest.com for more information.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 13, 2013.