20 Jan

8 Days, 65 Parties: Whistler Pride and Ski Week Returns, Jan 24

Photo sourced from Tourism Whistler

One of the top Pride and ski fests on the planet is coming to Whistler.

Whistler Pride and Ski Festival is set to turn the Whistler Blackcomb resort into a non-stop party zone, Jan. 24-Jan. 31. Now in its 23rd year, the annual festival celebrates diversity on and off the slopes, packing more than 65 events into eight days.

Over the course of the week, guests split their time between carving up Whistler’s 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and celebrating with apres ski parties, club nights and special events down in the village. Each day during the festival, ski guides are on hand to escort groups on free guided tours of the mountain, showing off all the best runs and local secrets.

Once lifts close for the day, attention turns to apres ski parties in Whistler Village.

Photo sourced from Tourism Whistler

Each afternoon different bars will be hosting themed apres celebrations, with special libations (shot ski, anyone?), appetizers and music. Participants include Buffalo Bill’s (Jan. 26), Milestones (Jan. 27), and the Whistler Conference Centre (Jan. 28-Jan. 30).

In the evenings, a line-up of special entertainment keeps the festival pumping. Events include a night of comedy with no-holds-barred comedian Margaret Cho (Jan. 28), a special screening of the groundbreaking Indian film Bollywood Beats (Jan. 26) and even a drag take on classical ballet at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Jan. 24).

Photo sourced from Tourism Whistler

Whistler Pride and Ski Fest has also earned a reputation for its incredible club nights and parties. After dark, popular events include the colourful and energetic Bollywood Party at Moe Joe’s (Jan. 26), the Wild West-themed Cowboy Party at Buffalo Bill’s (Jan. 27), and the wild Splash Pool Party inside the spacious confines of Whistler’s Meadow Park Sports Centre (Jan. 29).

The full week of action is capped off with the always entertaining Snowball Closing Party in the Whistler Conference Centre (Jan. 31). The gala event features Grammy-nominated DJs Freemasons, plus hi-fi sound and visuals.