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

Outgames Begin! Travel Tips - Whistler

Wow, it has been an exciting journey to bring the 2nd North America Outgames to Vancouver & Whistler. With so much to see and do I thought I would share some great travel tips for Whistler!

The one card you want for this summer is the Outgames Fast Track Card. This card is loaded with hundreds of dollars worth of savings including some of our merchants in Whistler!

Whistler Blackcomb is offering $5 off at the ticket window for the world record breaking Peak2Peak Gondola. Whistler is now one of the most accessible alpine experiences for novice day hikers in the world. Just remember to dress in layers as mountain weather can change in a blink of an eye, and just because it is 25C (82F) in the village does not mean that it will be as warm up top... you can expect temperatures to be 10+ degrees cooler or more! The Alpine is still heavy with snow, so if you want to have a snowball fight in the middle of summer... Whistler is the place to be!

So if you decide to come up and chill in Whistler either pre/post Outgames or Vancouver Pride... the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the place to call home. Situated right at the base of Blackcomb mountain and a short walk to the very popular Lost Lake trails and of course Lost Lake itself. The Fairmont is offering Outgames passholders a special upgrade upon availability. The Fairmont has some awesome specials right now, so go on... book that room and then flash your card and get a complimentary upgrade to the next room category (subject to availability of course!)

Of course after an epic day in Whistler you have no doubt worked up an appetite! The Flipside in Village North is your place to be... here you flash your Outgames pass and get a free appie! A fun place with generous portions, reasonable prices and great food. I'll go back every night. Fish and Chips are worth the trip alone-fresh cod with skinny fries, I had the schnitzel and my eyeballs coveted the Girlfriends spaghetti at the next table. Three course $20 special included a great caesar and cheesecake with raspberries Yum Yum Yum. Added Value: Free appetizer
Description: Flipside Restaurant is delighted to support the Vancouver 2011 Outgames and offer all Outgames cardholders one Free appetizer with a purchase of a main course.

If you have gone hiking one of the thousands of trails or paddeled down the River of Golden Dreams (and maybe taken an unexpected dip in the river?!) no doubt you are looking for a good way to unwind and soak those weary bones... The Scandinave Spa is the perfect destination. Flash your Outgames Frast Track Card and save $5. Situated just north of Whistler Village, B.C., engulfed in a spruce and cedar forest on the edge of Lost Lake and Spruce Grove parks, this unique spa overlooks incredible mountain vistas and valleys. Invigorate and cleanse your body and mind in the hot baths and refreshing waterfalls, melt away with a relaxing massage, and breathe in the invigorating country air.

As you gaze up to the snow covered peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb you start to think of your winter plans and what a better way to get started than by getting a jump on the Early Bird Pricing for the Full Week Men's or Women's WinterPRIDE Pass! Enjoy a $25 gift voucher that you can use towards your 2012 WinterPRIDE pass. It is easy just purchase your pass online... and enter into comments Promo Code "Outgames" along with your card number and we will take $25 off your event pass. Buy today and save!

Travel Tips for GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE

We all love stretching our dollar just a wee bit more and this year is no exception. Here are 3 of our top tips:

#3 Pack light! No need to haul your ski boots, and all your ski gear when you can rent everything at the resort!
Whistler Blackcomb has a huge array of equipment for rental and you can switch out your gear both on and off the mountain at any of their rental locations. It is hassle free, easy and best of all it is all 2011 equipment! They even rent outer wear so all you have to pack is your helmet, gloves and goggles! Now you have extra room for that extra Apres outfit you so wanted to bring! For more information click here or call 1.866.787.1966. Make sure you inform the agent you are with WinterPRIDE and save up to 30% when booking online!

#2 Travel Discount Codes, Airline Discount Codes and web specials! Some of our travel partners have some wicked deals including our partner at Travelocity! Visit GAYtravelocity.com and take $150 of your Vacation package with the PROMO CODE: GLWHISTLER

The airlines have some great deals out there including our friends at
American Airlines: Use Promo Code: 9211BA Business ExtrAA Account Number: 527604 - using this code will track our loyality and help keep the AA.com/Rainbow programs going.

Alaska Airlines is offering a 10% Discount: Discount Code, ECMB32 - Winter PRIDE -Whistler Ski Week – into
Vancouver, BC, Canada from any AS/QX US (except Hawaii and Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay, Alaska) city. Travel dates are January 26, 2011 through February 09, 2011. Not valid for Mexico, Hawaii or Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
Book Online at: alaskaair.com/gaytravel

#1 January 24 - February 6th is Vancouver's most popular event of the year "Dine Out Vancouver" or DOV.
We hope you're hungry! Indulge in your love of food and BC VQA wine at over 200 restaurants with 3-course meals at $18, $28 or $38 and why not sleep around... at these prices, you can't afford not to. Book a hotel room for $68, $98, or $138 per night making Vancouver the perfect destination for your pre or post WinterPRIDE "city" experience. For more information on DOV visit: TourismVancouver.com