Even for those who find the bunny hill daunting, a mountain getaway can be seductive. Out in the fresh air all day, then warming up by the fire at night, ski holidays are a chance to be sporty and cuddly during the same adventure. Add hundreds or thousands of queers who have signed up for a gay ski week and you’ve got yourself a serious party.
Ski towns tend to be small and far away from metropolitan centres; well-attended LGBTQ2S+ events can feel like a queer takeover—within a day or two, you’ll know everybody going down the slopes.
Because the price point for ski holidays can be steep, and the accommodations in resort towns are limited, booking ahead, as well as figuring out the pass that’s the best fit for you, are good ideas. Of course, there’s always packing a few friends into the same hotel room. Possibilities!
These 12 LGBTQ2S+ ski events have all been around long enough to prove themselves a good time. Though most are in the United States, Canada and Europe, there is one in Asia and one in Oceania, making it easier for those far away from the Atlantic Ocean to hop on a gondola. Take note: several gay ski weeks happen the same week—decisions must be made.
Whistler Pride, Whistler, British Columbia
January 21–28, 2024
Launched in 1992, this ski-based Pride has become one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, attracting thousands of serious skiers and those who just want to drink mulled wine in the mountains. There’s a parade too. Organizers work in partnership with the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Lil̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (SLCC) to welcome guests to learn about the local First Nations, their history, culture and experiences.
Gay Ski Week, Aspen, Colorado
January 14–21, 2024
The event that coined the term “gay ski week,” and the template for all that followed, Aspen’s premiere LGBTQ2S+ party dates back to 1977. (The Other Side of Aspen, the adult film that made skiing seem so exhilaratingly homosexual, was released in 1978.) Nowadays, Aspen’s may be the world’s most glamorous gay ski week, and has activities like bingo and drag for when you’re not schussing. Early-bird passes for 2024 sold out by the summer of 2023.
Arosa Gay Ski Week, Arosa, Switzerland
January 20–27, 2024
Not far from ritzy St. Moritz, this cute mountain town also has lakes and trails—even camping. Last year’s event attracted about 600 people for the skiing and for the evening events like classical music, drag, night sledding and dance parties. There are three levels of passes providing access to different activities.
Elevation: Utah, Park City, Utah
February 28–March 3, 2024
A spinoff of the promoter Tom Whitman’s Elevation event in Mammoth Lakes, California, this Utah event in one of the United States’ biggest ski resorts is known for its friendliness and its themed après-ski parties which create just the right atmosphere to meet new people. This year’s Gear Party—which includes snow gear and sports gear, as well as leather gear—is sure to sell out.
Swiss Gay Ski Week, Lenzerheide, Switzerland
March 3–10, 2024
Just across the Plessur Alps from Arosa—the two resort villages are actually connected by a cable car—Lenzerheide is also adorable and has a lake that’s swimmable in the summer, skatable in the winter. The event, founded in 1992, presents a program of activities balancing just the right amount of skiing, eating and drinking. Organized by volunteers, it’s less commercial and more personal than its rivals.
Gay Ski Week/Hakuba Rainbow Festival, Hakuba, Japan
March 8–17, 2024
With more than 12 metres of annual snowfall, Hakuba Valley, home to 10 resorts, is one of the world’s most reliable ski destinations. Packages range from two days to the full nine days, all of which include transportation around the valley to official events. Ski Week runs nine days of the 10 days of the valley’s Rainbow Festival, so the closing event is a parade along the slopes.
Elevation: Mammoth, Mammoth Lakes, California
March 13–17, 2024
Attracting about 2,500 skiers and their non-skiing allies, promoter Tom Whitman’s Mammoth event is a pretty solid town takeover—the local population of the California resort town is about 8,000. With 12 events, including drag, comedy, après-ski cocktails and dance parties, you might have little time to check out local venues—which would be a shame since it’s a cool little town. Parties do sell out and lift-ticket prices get higher closer to the day so, like with many of these ski weeks, it’s worth considering a package rather than going a la carte.
European Gay Ski Week, Val Thorens, France
March 16–23, 2024
You might be a bit lightheaded here at Europe’s highest-altitude resort, at 2,300 metres—and that’s a good thing. The Val Thorens event also claims to be Europe’s largest gay ski week, with about 2,000 skiers and ski-adjacent souls in the village and across the region known as Les Trois Vallées. The region is home to 12 Michelin-starred restaurants so you might be doing as much eating as skiing. Less subtle than some other Alpine ski events, organizers promise “loud and proud” parties and shows. And raclette, of course.
European Snow Pride, Tignes, France
March 16–23, 2024
This one also bills itself as Europe’s biggest gay ski week. We smell rivalry. Like European Gay Ski Week, this event is also in France’s Tarentaise Valley, though a smidge closer to Italy. Organizers boast about the Tignes’ LGBTQ+-friendly attitudes—the mayor has led the local Pride parade since 2015—and certainly Tignes’ après-ski nightlife has an excellent reputation. The lineup of live performers and DJs for 2024 is also impressive.
Winter Pride, Sölden, Austria
March 16–23, 2024
With a gourmet three-course lunch at an altitude of 3,000 metres, where the James Bond movie Spectre was shot, this ski-Pride event sets a very high bar. There’s also a spa night, not to mention lots of drag. Various passes provide access to seven, four or three days of activities. We’re hoping that the name of the Tuesday party, “There’s No Sin High up on the Pastureland,” applies to all the events.
Jasper Pride & Ski Festival, Jasper, Alberta
April 5–14, 2024
A nice mix of “small town Pride” spirit and ski-week glamour, this might be the only entry on this list that includes a party for teens, line-dancing and poetry readings. Though located in a conservative province, the town goes out of its way to be LGBTQ2S+-friendly. The Pride Pass provides deals on lift passes and other local experiences.
Winter Pride, Queenstown, New Zealand
August 22–September 1, 2024
Yes, 10 months out, this Down Under ski week has already announced its dates. The southern hemisphere winter season is perfect for skiing fanatics who can’t contain their excitement November through March. Activities include daily après-ski parties, themed dance parties and more community-minded events like the Pride Park Run. Gay-friendly Queenstown has lots of other outdoor adventures to be had, so the festival might just be one part of a larger South Island adventure.
