The Rainbows have arrived into Whistler - 5 Days counting

Well, it is official... The Rainbow flags are flying high over Whistler village and Pride week is just 5 days away! The energy and buzz in the village and around the world for Whistler's 20th Annual Gay & Lesbian Ski/Snowboard week is going strong. Ticket sales have been in high demand and some of the event passes are close in being sold out... so if you have yet to buy your passes you better act quick before they are gone. Book online today!

- More GayWhistler Publications

Doing a quick call around there are still a few rooms to be had in the village. The host hotel - Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa has a few different room categories available but their inventory is moving quickly so do call the hotel soon to lock in your stay. For those that are looking for a place to crash and to economize on your accommodations - the Whistler Athletes' Centre could be the perfect alternative for you. They have rooms starting at just $50 Single and $75 for Double occupancy. This is the centre all those hot 2010 Winter Olympians stayed... it is beautiful but it is about 10 - 15 minutes south of the main village. There is frequent transit or you can self drive or take a taxi to the village.

Have you got your transport sorted? We have some great choice for you:

YVR International Airport to Whistler direct on the Pacific Coach - Whistler SkyLynx with eight departures daily! Call 1.800.661.1725 or book online today!

YVR International Airport to Whistler with more personalized service The Whistler Glacier Group is the perfect choice. They have a huge fleet of Town Cars, SUV's, Limo's, mini coaches to full size coaches to take you and your posse on your schedule. Call or visit Whistler Glacier Group today! Call 1.866.905.7779 or visit online

Already in Vancouver? Then take the Whistler Direct Shuttle... the only shuttle service that can pick you up from your hotel in Downtown Vancouver and drop you off at your door in Whistler. Exclusive $25 one way fares available for WinterPRIDE guests... call 1.888.405.2410 or visit online.

Call our Central Reservations at 1.866.787.1966 and one of our helpful guest services agents will be happy to assist with all of your last minute travel arrangements. They can quickly review all of Whistler's inventory and help narrow the search and find you the right place with your budget in mind. They can also book all of your winter adventures like ski tickets, ski school, ski/snowboard rentals, Dog Sledding, Snowmobile Tours as well as your ground transfers from YVR. Call 1.866.787.1966

Remember think snow, think WinterPRIDE! Feb. 5-12, 2012 for more information visit gayWhistler.com

Whistler Sabbatical Project - Final Call

Hopefully you have all been following the Whistler Sabbatical Project this winter, but just in case I wanted to remind you that you only have until January 31 to participate. Can you imagine a month in Whistler – accommodation and lift pass provided, salary covered, new gear – enjoying the mountains and an agenda full of unique one-of-a-kind Whistler experiences?

Ski with an Olympian, cook with chef James Walt from Araxi, sabre champagne at the Bearfoot Bistro, go bobsledding, do a night shift with a groomer, sing with Ali Milner, go-go dance at Tommy Africa’s, learn to take great photos with Blake Jorgenson, ski lessons, après sessions, heli-skiing, ziptrekking, the list goes on!

You really don’t want to miss this opportunity. Enter now:
http://wouldyoudoit.whistler.com/#contest
And as much as you want to win this all to yourself, please feel free to share/forward

Best of luck!

15 Days and counting!

Yahoo! La Nina has been very kind to the Resort of Whistler this season dumping a total of 583cm (230") or 18+ Feet of snow since the start of the season with heaps more snow on it's way! In the last 24 hours we have had 23cm bringing the snowbase to a healthy 215cm (84") - as measured at Pig Alley Weather Station at 1650 meters on Whistler Mountain.

So with 15 days to go before the kick off to GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE it is looking like we are in really good shape. We saw a jump in tickets this past week when Whistler Blackcomb & Tourism Whistler released a surprise 72-hour sale helping to spur some of those fence sitters to jump over to Whistler and take advantage of the incredible snow conditions.

If you do not ski/snowboard...that is totally okay as there is just so much to do. Are you feeling a bit butch? Do you want to have a feeling of being an Olympian? Why not try the Biathlon experience and shoot at targets in the snow! Or throw on some furs and be an old world explorer and go snowshoeing? Have a need for speed? Love Roller Coasters? Then you have to do the Skeleton Experience at the Whistler Sliding Track! Check out these and other activities you can do while in Whistler. Activities do require ADVANCE RESERVATIONS - so book today and avoid disappointment.

Remember to book your hotel room soon as inventory is moving quick! Call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online today!

WinterPRIDE has a stellar line up of entertainment so make sure you purchase your event tickets before arriving to the resort as many of our events sold out on Sunday night of Pride last year. So plan ahead and book today! Visit GayWhistler.com

Passing of Sarah Burke

The Mayor and the Resort Municipality of Whistler released the following statement after the tragic loss of Whistler freestyle skier Sarah Burke. It is with a heavy heart that we must say good bye to such a talented athlete. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burke family, friends and team Canada. - Dean & Ken, GayWhistler.com

January 19, 2012 - On behalf of the council and staff of the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the community of Whistler, our thoughts and prayers are with Sarah’s family and friends following this tragic loss.

Along with her accomplishments on the slopes, Sarah will also be remembered for her efforts to make half pipe skiing an official Olympic event.

Sarah will always be recognized as a pioneer in her sport of freestyle skiing and a legend to all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Sarah was one of our own and this is a very sad day for our community.
~Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm -Morden

72-HR Winter Sales just in time for Pride

News Flash!! Whistler Blackcomb has just released an exclusive 72-Hour Sale with savings up to 50% this season. This is fantastic news on top of the already 17+ feet of snow this year... you could sort of say this is the icing on the cake for our 20th annual celebration of Gay Ski Week!

So what are you waiting for? This is the time to jump off that fence and make your way up to Whistler and experience 100% of the 8,171 acres of pure skiing bliss! Book Online Now! or call 1.866.787.1966
WinterPRIDE - Whistler's Gay/Lesbian Ski/Snowboard Week is Feb. 5-12, 2012 and has a wicked line up of some incredible talent including: International DJ/producer Manny Lehman, DJ Ted Eiel (Chicago), DJ Tim Jones (London), DJ Dan Murphy (Sydney), DJ Adam Dreaddy (Vancouver), DJ/Producer Bertossi (Vancouver), DJ Zach Shore (Vancouver), JC Simon ARCADIA (Ottawa), DJ Riki Rocket (UK), DJ Miss M (Vancouver), DJ Kasey Riot (Vancouver), DJ Foxy Moron (Whistler), DJ Byron James (North Vancouver), DJ Kevin Costner (Whistler), DJ Doug Cameron; Special Guests: Jason Stuart, Julia Stretch, Ruckus Deluxe, Patrick Masse, Tyrell Witherspoon, Symone Says, Jodie James, Syren, Samantha mack, buster Cherry, Burgundy Brixx, Madame Mae I, Cris Derksen, Mr. Gay Canada 2012 Delegates

For complete listings visit gaywhistler.com or click on the festival guide below:

- Click to search other GayWhistler publications

GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is Feb. 5-12, 2012 in Whistler, BC, Canada

WinterPRIDE Ski/Snowboard Guiding presented by Air New Zealand

WinterPRIDE Mountain Guides - Join our Guiding Team! presented by Air New Zealand Feb. 5-12, 2012

If you are at least an intermediate skier or rider, and are familiar with Whistler Blackcomb, you could be a guide during WinterPRIDE. Please read the details below, and if you think this is for you, just get in touch!

Remember – OUR # 1 GOAL IS SAFE FUN FOR ALL!

Program Highlights
Dates
WinterPRIDE is Sunday, February 5th, 2012 through Sunday, February 12, 2012. GUIDING IS MONDAY, Feb. 6th -SATURDAY, FEB. 11th.
Traditional Program
Our traditional program continues this year meeting between Whistler and Blackcomb. This year we are starting the program on Whistler and ending the week on Blackcomb.

ATAC!
ATAC stands for All Terrain, All Conditions. This is the new name of our experts-only program.

Women’s guiding program
If there are enough women for a group, they will once again have the opportunity to ski or ride in women-only groups by meeting at specific women’s guiding signs. Obviously not all will take advantage of this, but we want to offer this service to help continue to build the women’s program.

Scheduling
Since we have a much better understanding of our day-to-day needs, scheduling will be specific this year. We will, of course, do the absolute best we can to accommodate your schedule. BTW, we already know we need you on Thursday, Friday and Saturday! LOL!

Minimum Volunteer Requirements
We ask that all guides, volunteer a minimum of 2 days. And our preference is that those two days include either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday if possible.

Training Requirements
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. If you guided and received training last year, you DO NOT need to attend on-snow training this year AS LONG AS you attend the Sunday, February 5th guide meeting/party that will be held on the evening of Sunday, February 5th in the WinterPRIDE hospitality suite area at the Aava Whistler Hotel (4005 Whistler Way, Whistler) If you can not make that, YOU MUST attend one of the on-snow training sessions. The only exceptions are Whistler Blackcomb ski instructors and volunteer guides. If you did not guide last year, you will need to attend on-snow training. Please don't ask for an exception - I can't make it.

Positions Available
This year, there are three distinct positions in the guiding program.
Guide - Responsible for safely guiding WinterPride groups of varying ability.
Sign Master - Responsible for strategically placing signs in the Go Zone.
Pod Leader - Responsible for greeting and interviewing guests to determine the best group. You will coordinate guest assignments for a specific level or program such as green, black, women's program, ATAC!, etc. You will also be responsible for getting guest counts for each group and turning them into John.

Perks!
- Every guide will get 1 apres ski ticket for each day they guide
- Daily lift tickets will be provided by Whistler/Blackcomb if you do not have a Season's Pass
- 45% off Ski/Snowboard Tuning all season long
- Complimentary rentals at any of the Whistler/Blackcomb rental locations on & off the mountain
- 10% off retail all season long; 5% off skis and snowboards all season long
- For each day you guide you will receive 1 volunteer coupons to be redeemed as Prize entry vouchers or exchanged for WinterPRIDE events. Some restrictions and limits may apply.
- Volunteer appreciation brunch Sunday, February 12th, 2012

My Contact Information
john@gaywhistler.com

RECRUIT!!
If you know of anyone that would be a great guide, please have him or her contact me via email with the required information.

RESPOND!!
Simply respond to this post and let me know the following:
Position
Ski or Snowboard
Which days you can work
Your training choice

I look forward to skiing and riding with each and every one of you, and truly appreciate your help to make WinterPRIDE guiding a whole lotta fun! I will send out regular information as we learn it. In the meantime, keep your eyes on www.gaywhistler.com for news and information.

John Sutherland
Guide Director

Host Hotel: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa call 1.866.787.1966 or book online GayWhistler.com
2012 WinterPRIDE Ski/Snowboard Guide Safety Manual

- More gaywhistler

Mountain Safety & Responsibility - Alpine Responsibility Code

Riding the Pride Train to Whistler

The count down to the 20th Annual Gay Ski Week in Whistler - WinterPRIDE is just 23 days away and Amtrak Cascades has a very sweet offer just for Pride! Save 25% when you ride the rails to Whistler... Doing a quick search I found a rate of US$57 from Seattle downtown Amtrak station all the way to Whistler Village (need to transfer in Vancouver onto a motor coach up the Mountain) - Sweet! You can add $19 and upgrade to Business Class for the train. Amtrak offers free WiFi so you can GuySpy your future dates at Pride Week... Tweet and Facebook how much fun you are having riding the rails up to Whistler.

For more details visit Amtrak search "Gay Ski" for the "Save 25% off Train Fares to Whistler, BC for WinterPRIDE Ski Week" - so what are you waiting for.... grab your posse and jump on Amtrak today! < Click to learn more >
Oh... Travel tip! For all of our American friends outside of Seattle.... consider flying into SEATAC and then taking the Train up to Whistler... the extra travel time may save you a couple hundred bucks, plus you could meet a couple new friends along the way! Visit Amtrak.com and save!

There are some great last minute deals to Whistler as well (even better if you had booked a couple months ago... but you can make a note to yourself for next year!) with room only rates coming in at just C$161/night or if you want to maximize your savings the 5th Night Free Promo is still running with rates starting at just C$130/person/night for a 5 Night, 4 Day ski package... pretty stellar deal when you consider that walking up to the ticket window the day you want to ski will set you back approx. $100 - so best get your tickets in advance for the best savings! (Travel Tip: You need to buy your lift tickets a minimum of 48 hours ahead to get the maximum discount).
< click here to check accommodations now >

This year, Manny Lehman returns to Whistler for Snowball 20 and from what we understand the light show and visuals this year are sure to impress! Most of the week’s normal programming will be back with a couple new additions including: Monday’s “Up Yer Kilt” Party at the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub at the Pan Pacific Whistler hotel. Thursday for the first time in the resort’s history they will make an official proclamation of “Pride Week” at the city hall followed by a pride march, they will also offer Skelton racing on the Whistler Olympic Sliding Centre... can you imagine the Queens dressed in a tutu flying down the track face first clocking in speeds of 77mph - that sounds like so much fun! WinterPRIDE has something for everyone from the low key apres ski parties, to the fun late night theme parties like the Cowboy party, the Gender Bender Drag Ball (think Burning Man and your alter-ego), Pool party, Furrocious Bear party, Snowstorm (for the Club Kids), Purrlesque (bi-sexual / lesbian party), Shred Betties (mostly women’s party), culinary events for the foodies; and snowmobile, dog sled, ZipTrek, Bungee, Skiing (of course!) in total there are 8 days and 65 events for you to pick and choose your own adventure! For more info call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at Gaywhistler.com

See you at WinterPRIDE Feb. 5-12, 2012