Thursday, January 29th the Whistler Pride Charity Ski Race raised $945 for Rainbow Refugee
Thank you to everyone that participated in the annual Charity Ski Race on Blackcomb mountain at the GMC Race Centre. The Whistler Pride racers gave generously contributing $945 to the Rainbow Refugee Society. In total there were 80 racers that tried their luck at guessing how quickly they would be able to navigate the GMC Race course. The fastest time through the gates was 0.17.88 and the most cautious time was 0.36.45.
The race results are as follows:
Best Donation Time: John Parks Bib#17
with a time of 0.26.82
Won a 2 Night Stay at the Luxurious Four Seasons Resort Whistler
Best Guess: Wayne Hartrick Bib#71
with a time difference of 0.00.02
Won a custom fit Sure Foot insoles
Best Time: Collin Johnston Bib#82
with a time of 0.17.88
Wins a gift basket of Men’s Skin Products from MASC
Best Female Time: Chris Armstrong Bib#37
with a time difference 0.00.69
Wins a Spa Package from Spruce Body Labs Vancouver
To claim your prize please visit the Pride House located within the Aava Whistler Hotel (4005 Whistler Way, Whistler) or email: dean @ whistlerpride.com with your contact details.
CityTV reporter, Dawn Chubai, filming live at Whistler Pride at the base of Blackcomb
We are so excited to welcome BT Vancouver back to Whistler to share with their viewers Day 5 of the 23rd annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival.
Join us at the Base of Blackcomb near the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Come and meet Dawn Chubai from 6:30AM – 9AM at the Base of Blackcomb.
6:38 AM – Whistler Pride
6:43 AM – Segment #1 Dawn + Dean Nelson chat about Whistler Pride
7:17 AM – What’s on in Whistler
7:20 AM – Segment #2 Dawn catches up with Margo Dent, Co-founder of the Howe Sound Secondary diversity club + David Thomson, student and diversity club member
7:45 AM – Whistler Animation
7:49 AM – Segment #3 Interview with John Sutherland, Whistler Pride Snow Sports Director
8:05 AM – Celebrations
8:10 AM – Dawn was able to get out and join in some of the fun including meeting up with this year’s headline artist, Margaret Cho for a one on one interview.
Whistler Pride sends advance team to get Whistler ready for the arrival of the Snomosexuals
Wow, what a day! The Whistler Pride advance team: Dean, Karen, Rick and Gerry set off to Whistler to start with the set up of the 23rd Annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival.
Gearing up for Pride has gone really well so far and the new set up at the Host Hotel, Aava Whistler, is looking fantastic. We can already feel the excitment with so many of the local Whistler merchants coming in to say hello and welcome us back. Feeling like a Rock Star.. or at least a “Pride Star”!
The local media has done their homework and has done a great job in previewing some of the week long festival.
After a great day of getting so much done, it was time to treat ourselves to a little rest and relaxation before the hectic week ahead. So off to the Scandinave Spa for our zen treatement. This would be Karen + Rick’s first time… after spending a short two and a half hours we were all in bliss.
There truly is something magical about having a hydro theropy experience while surrounded by pristine forest and mountain views. It is no wonder that the Scandinave Spa is one of the top Trip Advisor experiences in Whistler.
After a wonderful spa experience we headed into the Village for dinner at the Brewhouse Whistler. Of course it was all purly for quality assurance… as the Brewhouse is one of the festival’s official EatOUT partner restaurants. Gerry had the Chicken Burger, Rick the French Dip, Dean the Jambalaya (hot and spicy!), and Karen the Lamb Shawarma wood burn pizza. Without a doubt, Karen’s choice was the clear winner. Really yummy!
What are some of your favorite places in Whistler to Chill or grab a bit to eat? Message us on Twitter @gayWhistler
How are you gearing up for Pride? Now less than 24-hours! So excited!! Check out the Festival Guide… now online or pick up your own copy in Vancouver at Little Sister’s Bookstore, Fountainhead on Davie or Top Drawers… in Whistler you can grab your copy at tha Aava Whistler hotel or later this weekend at most of the Whistler hotel front desks.
Sashaying her way into the 23rd annual Gay Ski Week the annual event is making news
Thought this would be a fun page where we could assemble various news stories we are finding on Twitter and other social media outlets and perhaps provide some of our own comentary along the way.
We are very fortunate to have really great editorial coverage from so many writers from around the world and want to find a way where we could collect those stories and re-share in case you missed it the first time around.
This is a great story, we did not share it when it first came out as the writer like many at the begining when news broke that we were creating a Pride House at the 2010 Olympic games assumed it was a gay hotel of some sort. It took us hundreds if not thousands of interviews to educate the reporters that a “House” in terms of the Olympics, is actually a hospitality suite and not meant for actual housing… though I am sure there have been a few that may have passed out at Heineken House!
The 23rd annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival brings the community of Whistler out to celebrate diversity at the opening Welcome Reception at the Westin Resort and Spa Whistler
Executive Producer, Dean Nelson says, “We are so pleased to see the diversity of Whistler merchants and community groups that are coming out to welcome the festival’s guests at the Westin Resort and Spa on Sunday, January 25th from 4PM – 7PM.”
In total there are twenty businesses that have signed up to share with the Whistler Pride attendees on what there is to do in Whistler and beyond. Nelson continues, “… we have a luxury wellness spa coming in from the Okanagan, Sparkling Hill Resort will be making the trek to Whistler from Vernon, BC to share some of the unique health and wellness retreats available. I am sure that some of our guests will be interested and will want to do their Spring detox amoung the cheery blossoms and wine country!”
The Welcome reception will be serenaded by award winning Canadian recording artist Sarah Smith while guests are meeting some of the locals as well as other guests from the estimated 26 nations participating at this year’s festival.
Relax, recover & reset by floating in 650 pounds of Epsom Salt, a deep muscle relaxant and natural detoxifier. Zero gravity sensory deprivation increases circulation, is a mood enhancer & helps to release endorphins. Experience real relaxation, true peace and a deep sense of well-being. West Coast Float offers Whistler’s only sensory deprivation float pods. Floating takes all the pressure off your muscles & joints, speeds athletic recovery, alleviates jet lag, and relieves stress. We are so excited to be part of Winter Pride, come float with us and celebrate diversity. westcoastfloat.com
Access Whistler’s snowfields, glaciers, hotsprings and ice caves with Head-Line Mountain Holidays’ backcountry saavy team. LGBT exclusive tours offer exhilaration and comfort. Try the ½ day snowmobiling adventures for all abilities – heated gloves and handlebars come with our state-of-the art equipment; put a group together for snowbike ‘drag’ races on the ice cap; ice cave picnics or the ultimate Beef Dip all-inclusive heli-access to remote hotsprings with massage therapy, personal chef-de-cuisine. Try the overnight snow hotel for the ultimate party scene or a romantic night away. Visit headlinemountainholidays.com for more extraordinary experiences.
We all crave what is beyond the everyday – the new, the exciting, the unordinary. The Adventure Group represents the best activities and things to do in the wonderful, natural playground of Whistler, British Columbia. By offering a collection of activities in one place and a variety of offices located throughout Whistler, we know that we are the most convenient way to book your Whistler excursions. Choose from Superfly Ziplines, Snowmobile or Snowshoe experiences! tagwhistler.com
Boy Meets Boy
Boy Meets Boy, Mike Azevedo’s short film was created and produced all with local BC talent and crowd source funding. The project took off after Oscar Winner, Dustin Lance Black, signed on as the Supporting Mentor. Mike is thrilled to be sharing it with you on January 27 at the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival as its debut Film Festival Screening. Synopsis: Searching for love in an isolated perfect life. Finding the One leads to desperation, nervous romance, and intensity. Climaxes in transformative terror.
Andrea Mueller – Love Lust and Other Decent Stuff – Solo exhibit on now at Whistlers newest art gallery The Crystal Gallery. The show is playful with a questionable undertone asking, what goes on behind closed doors? The exhibit features over 40 original paintings, renewed objects and fluorescent wood installation. Gallery hours are Thursday – Sunday 12pm -6pm located in the Crystal Lodge down the stairs beside Lululemon. Visit: andrealikesart.com
It’s time indulge in temptation and explore the delicious culinary scene in Whistler! Join Whistler Tasting Tours for a VIP evening and visit 4- amazing restaurants in one night. Our local guides will escort guests into a 15,000 wine cellar where you will learn the art of Champagne sabering, dine in a whimsically Venetian restaurant, and taste decadent chocolates. We offer 4 fabulous dining experiences so come taste and explore your way through Whistler today! whistlertastingtours.com
Coast Range Heliskiing is Whistler/Pemberton’s premier boutique heliskiing and heliboarding operation. Operating since 2002, we are 100% locally owned and operated. We ski exclusively in small groups, which allows us to create a tailored experience for each and every guest. With over 200,000 acres of diverse terrain from big mountain powder lines to secluded tree skiing, you can be sure to have an unforgettable backcountry powder experience. If you are looking for powder turns and fresh tracks all day in the beautiful Coast Range Mountains, come heliskiing with us! For further questions or bookings call us on 1 800 701 8744 or stop by our office at the bottom of the Whistler gondola, next to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory. coastrangeheliskiing.com
The world’s only Swarovski crystal-infused health resort located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, BC. The Okanagan’s delectable local cuisine and award-winning wineries perfectly pair with Sparkling Hill’s luxurious, one-of-a-kind rooms, amenities and 40,000 sq.ft KurSpa. The perfect place for a romantic getaway, health retreat, or luxurious wedding venue. You are sure to leave feeling relax and rejuvenated! sparklinghill.com
For a complete list of all the vendors and more information visit the events page Read More >>
Join us on Sunday, January 25th as Whistler comes out to welcome gays and lesbians from around the world. Tickets are just $15 in advance. For hotel and stay + play packages call 1.866.787.1966 or visit LAST MINUTE DEALS >>
The Twisted Slipper kicks off movie project at Whistler Pride
Local Whistler Film Makers wins a spot at Crazy 8’s Film Festival and set to take flight at Whistler Pride and Ski Festival
It is wonderfully coincidental that just a couple of days ago, a few local filmmakers from Whistler have been chosen by a Vancouver film festival to make a gay genre film! Out of almost 200 entrants – they have been chosen in the final 6. The film is a short, about a young gay man, finding his way through a fairy tale to his true self. A drag queen and some sass give him courage to own all that his Stepmother and Stepsisters don’t allow him too. Ending on a high note, it’s a great message and a wonderfully funny and spectacular film to be made by our local team.
The talented Whistler creator will be at the Welcome Expo on Sun., Jan. 25th 4-7PM to talk more about the film “Twisted Slipper” -you can’t miss this dazzling diva! So if you would like more information on how you can get involved, she will be there to answer all!
After nearly a decade of acting in and creating short films as a hobby, Saharai Rewels has been acting professionally since 2012. Awarded Heavy Hitting Horror Fest’s “Best Actress” on three separate occasions, and the People’s Choice Award 2013 for a short she co-wrote/co-produced. Sharai was also the star of the “Best in Show” film “Katch-Up” at WSSF 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown 2013. The tenacity and dedication she brings to each project inspires us to expect big things from her in the next few years.
Born and raised in BC, Angie got her start in TV as a teenager when she landed a production assistant job on the Beachcombers. After high school and college she continued to work in the industry in front and behind camera in a variety of roles. The longest stint being over 10 years as an assistant director on various feature films and television series shot in Vancouver. After a car accident in late 1999 Angie rethought the course of her career and decided to dive head first into the more creative side of filmmaking. Since then she has written, directed and acted in a number of her own film and theatre projects. This includes a number of award winning short films made under Swift Rock Productions, which she co-founded with producer Katie Schaitel. Angie has worked as Industry Programmer/Programming Manager at the Whistler Film Festival for 12 years. She is also an actress with Moving Pictures Talent & Entertainment Group an apprentice member of both DGC and UBC/ACTRA.
Katie hold a theatre degree from the University of Regina. From Shakespeare to Pantomimes, Horror movies and comedies, there is a wide range of styles and mediums she works with when telling a story. It doesn’t stop there. She is a regular producer for Tim Emmett Adventures on Epic TV and also makes documentaries. Within these productions she wears many hats, from producer, writer, actor, editor to directing, casting and location scouting. It’s busy, but an absolute passion for her, so no job ever feels like a job. She is co-founder of Swift Rock Productions with Angie Nolan and has acted in a variety of producer roles on many of their award winning short films that have been seen a the Whistler Film Festival, WSSF 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown, Heavy Hitting HorrorFest and at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival in England.
The Whistler Pride and Ski Festival’s Guest Experience Officers are all set for next week!
On Saturday, January 18th at the Upper Deck in the heart of Vancouver’s gay village, the 2015 Whistler Pride GEO Team met to review the jammed packed schedule that begins in just a week.
Dean Nelson – now eight years producing the annual event is joined by Rick Leonovich a vetran GEO of four years and also sits on the board of directors for Vancouver Pride. New comers Elle Janzen and Melody Dawn are eager and all set to welcome guests from 26 nations to Whistler. Elle also volunteers with Vancouver Pride and Melody is the new Vancouver Pride Soceity’s Volunteer coordinator. Karen McCormick a long time volunteer with Whistler Pride and second year as the festival’s Volunteer Manager. Karen also volunteers her time at QMUNITY and runs Out in White Rock, an LGBT social group. Sunil Sinha has been a long time promotional partner of Whistler pride and has recently come on board as a co-owner of the festival and has the starring role as the Executive Producer and Entertainment Director for the second year.
Your 2015 GEO Team is ready to help ensure you have one of the best experiences at Whistler Blackcomb. If you are interested in volunteering you can reach Karen at volunteers @whistlerpride.com or visit the volunteer page. Read More >>
Conni Smudge the alter ego of Chris Bolton is ready to sashay up to Whistler
The UnstoppableConni Smudge brings passion and energy to Pride in the Mountains
Whistler Pride is thrilled to announce Conni Smudge will be sashaying her way through the charming European inspired pedistrian village of Whistler. Conni is going to be a busy gal playing various roles from news reporter with Outlook TV to playing hostess for Whistler Pride and Ski festival.
Developing a character named Conni Smudge has been a twenty year journey and one that has taken her around the Globe.
She has performed in some of the most unlikely of places. From Biker Bars to the Grand Theatres of Europe, Mz Smudge has done them all.
Her wit, charm and approachable nature has afforded her the honour of being a highly sought after event host and spokesperson. With an uncanny ability to break through barriers and draw the audience in, an evening with Conni is unlike anything ever experienced.
Based out of Vancouver British Columbia, Mz Smudge has been the face of several events and charities, including the North America OutGames, Qmunity, The City of Vancouver, and the Q Hall of Fame Canada to name just a few.
Mz Smudge has regular appearances on television as a reporter for OutLook TV and has appeared on the set of movies including The L Word, Backstrom, and Girls Guide to Dating.
Join Conni at the 23rd annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival. You can see her at the Gender Bender Party, the official after party of the Night of Comedy with Margaret Cho, on Wednesday, January 28th.
You can follow Conni on Facebook at @Conni Smudge
Sarah Smith to perform at the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival opening reception
Canadian award winner, Sarah Smith, set to kick off the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival off in style
Sunil Sinha, Whistler Pride and Ski Festival’s entertainment director and Executive Producer announces with much excitement, “We are so honoured and overjoyed that Canadian recording artist, Sarah Smith, will be joining us in kicking off the 23rd annual pride celebrations in Whistler at the Westin Resort and Spa – Welcome Reception from 4PM – 7PM on Sunday, January 25th.”
Sarah Smith was the lead singer for the Canadian rock band, The Joys, where she earned international stardom and performed with the likes of Bif Naked, The Trews, Sam Roberts and Bedouin Soundclash. Sarah has now ventured off on her own proving that her powerhouse vocal talent needs no accompaniment with her debut album Stronger Now.
Stronger Now, her debut solo CD, was produced by Grammy(R) and Juno(R) winning Producer, Kevin Doyle (Alannah Myles, Ann Murray). The positively catchy single, Shine Bright, gained radio play across Canada and helped her to win numerous awards including:
* 2014 – Fan Favourite at The JRMAs
* 2014 – Best Singer/Songwriter at The London Music Awards
* 2014 – Best Rock Group at the London Music Awards
* 2013 – Best Singer/Songwriter at The JRMAs
* 2012 – Best Singer/Songwriter at The London Music Awards
* #1 Album of 2012 by The London Free Press.
Sarah just completed her new CD, The Journey, produced in Germany by world-class producer, Pat Anthony (Usher) and is excited to show the world her new sound.
“…This woman can belt out a song with energy and passion even after being on the road days at a time. So far, one of the best concerts I have heard live…” HerShe Magazine.
“…Sarah Smith… a woman that I believe could help to renew the rightful place of the big voice, big personality female rock star….” Mallard Music
“…With a voice that is often, in fact almost always, compared to Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, or Janis Joplin, Smith makes you want to rock out and at the same time recharges your heart and soul….” Curve Magazine
Sarah Smith will be playing live at the official welcome reception at the Westin Resort and Spa on Sunday, January 25th from 4 – 7 PM. Buy tickets online or available at the door.
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival is almost here and with over 65 events the 8-day festival is packed with options that appeal to everyone! With event key icons, a map of the village and day-by-day breakdowns the mobile-friendly guide is an essential for anyone attending the festival!
Take some time to go over the guide and plan ahead before packing your bags to make sure you don’t forget a necessary accessory like a towel for Splash, a cowboy hat for Tuesday or your best wig for the Gender Bender party!
And please take note of the sponsors and advertisers listed throughout the program, they are all part of the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival family!
Festival Guide highlights
QUEER Arts:
Sat., Jan. 24th – welcomes a rare and special appearance of Les Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Mon., Jan. 26th + Tue., Jan. 27th – Whistler Pride Film Festival presented by OUTtv + GayDirect
Wed., Jan. 28th – Night of Comedy with Magaret Cho + Kate Willett
Thur., Jan. 29th – Better Together Whistler Pride Banquet with Darcy Michael + Joan-E
MUSIC:
Start studded cast with DJ’s from around the world including The Freemasons, Wayne G, DJ Abel, Nick Bertossi, Seth Cooper, Landon James, Del Stamp, Kasha Kennedy, Lisa De Lux, DJ Quest
Gay Ski:
Daily Ski Guiding on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains starting at 10AM. This is a complimentary service and sponsored in part by our friends at TD Aeroplan(R) Visa Infinite Privilege*. This is a great way to get up on the mountain, meet new friends and experience the wonders of the 8,171 acres of pure skiing and riding bliss. Make sure you leave plenty of time to upload from the village to the designated meeting spots on Blackcomb (in front of the Glacier Creek Lodge) and on Whistler (near the light board in front of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola).
EatOUT Whistler
Incredible dining options with price points to fit most budgets. Learn more >>
