Editor’s Note: This blog about the Whistler Pride & Ski Festival was originally written in 2013, and although the festival has certainly evolved, it still has the same mountain magic it started with 32 years ago! Added info by Dee Raffo.
Special Guest Blogger: Barb Snelgrove
Ski vacations often involve the obvious things: snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, maybe warm drinks by a fire but 2SLGBTQIA+ travellers attending Whistler Pride & Ski Festival (January 19 – 26, 2024) can dig into a whole lot more. Curated après, drag bingo, pool parties, and ball-style parties. Throw in a mountain-top parade and daily T-dances and there’s almost more fun to be had than a single week can contain.
Whistler, long famous for deep powder, big mountains and inviting hospitality, pulls out all the stops when Pride comes to town and the result is one of the biggest and most inclusive winter celebrations on the world Pride circuit.
With so much to see and do, here are The Whistler Insider’s top 5 must-attend events for Whistler Pride & Ski Festival, 2025. Enjoy!
1. Daily Ski and Snowboard Guiding
Last year we had Pride first-timer, Todd Plummer, tell us about his experience rolling solo at Pride and one of the key things for him was the daily guided ski and snowboard groups.
“People often talk about how difficult it is to make friends once you’re an adult,” said Plummer. “It’s not like your adolescent days when each new school, new sport, or new whatever presented an opportunity to meet others like yourself. But there on Ridge Runner, with a bunch of thirtysomethings engaging in a snowball fight, you’d never know – it felt like we were kids again!”
Undoubtedly the social core of the week, these free, daily guided ski and snowboard sessions are the best way to meet other festival attendees while exploring the awe-inspiring, award-winning slopes of Whistler Blackcomb. These volunteer-guided groups range from green runs to black diamonds, so there will be a group no matter what level you’re at. If you want to up the ante, they also have heli-skiing groups available!
New for this year is the Youth-Only Guided Ski and Snowboard Groups, where queer youth and allies (ages 13 – 18) are invited to join the free half-day, on-mountain guiding program. You can register for these daily groups on the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival website.
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2. Join the Parade
The signature Whistler Pride Ski-OUT and Parade is certainly a special festival moment. The vibrant colours of pride pop brilliantly against the white snow as skiers fly rainbows down the mountain and transfer them to waiting revellers to be paraded through the village in celebration of diversity and inclusivity.
“Skiers come down the mountain in fun, colourful outfits holding on to a larger-than-life Pride flag,” say content creators Allie + Sam Conway, who visited Whister for the festival in 2020. “Once everyone reaches the bottom, spectators join in and march through the Village. If you’ve ever wanted to be in a Pride parade, now is your time to shine! We loved this part of the Festival because it was so warm (metaphorically, of course) and inclusive. It was great to see the whole Village involved!”
The group gathers at Mid-Station for live music by DJ Cat and refreshments before they ski-OUT, welcomed by cheers and applause as they arrive at the base of Whistler Mountain.
Skier’s Plaza buzzes with excitement as locals, visitors and festival goers await the arrival of the flag. After a short ceremony, everyone is invited to accompany the flag on its journey through the village, ending at the Whistler Conference Centre where the Friday T-Dance begins!
Dress colourfully and creatively (and for the weather) to express your pride and allyship at this free public event happening on Friday, January 24. Read more about Alli + Sam’s experience in their blog, Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: Whistler Pride Festival.
3. Everybody Dance Now
It wouldn’t be Pride without the parties and Whistler pulls out all the stops! From daily après ski get-togethers and numerous minglers at local watering holes to Drag Bingo, Comedy Night, and specialty parties like Furrocious, where the dress code is leather, sports gear, or whatever lets your sexy out, there’s a lot going on.
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And then the party pièce de résistance is the legendary SNOWBALL, with DJ Abel returning to The Whistler Pride and Ski Festival for the grand finale. Drink and dance until 4 AM with dazzling lights, lasers and tech to enhance the electric rhythms.
There is definitely a party for everyone and every budget. Check out the complete lineup of diverse events and custom-pick your faves.
4. Make a Splash
A Whistler Pride exclusive, the Sip ‘n Dip is a private event at the world-renowned Scandinave Spa. Refresh and sip wine and beer in the pavilion with music by a live DJ or rejuvenate in the hot tubs, try the hot-cool-relax cycle, and cozy up by the firepits in the relaxing, natural mountain setting of the traditional Scandinavian baths.
Another Whistler tradition is the Splash Pool Party at Meadow Park Sports Centre. Float on the giant inflatables in the main pool, relax in the hot tub or steam room, or frolic in the bear-themed splash park. You need to bring your own towel and swimsuit, with lockers available on-site.
5. Oh Heeeyyyyyy!
Seeing and being seen is practically an event unto itself at any Pride function and as people watching is almost an official sport in Whistler, THIS is the time to truly “strike a pose”.
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With restaurants and pubs around every corner, Whistler Village offers ample opportunity to show off your latest ski suit at one of the many outdoor seating areas. There are also a multitude of shops in case you need to upgrade your winter wardrobe to stand out in the crowd.
BONUS!
One of the great things about Whistler is that there’s an adventure around every corner. Grab your new friends you made at group ski and zip across the mountains, blast through powdery snow on a snowmobile, or dive into arts and culture at the Audain Art Museum and Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – there’s a lot of fun to be had in the mountains.
You can buy a full festival pass or separate event tickets on the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival website.
Book 3+ nights between January 1 - 31, 2025 to receive two free First Tracks tickets (early access to Whistler Mountain). Stay longer and save more, book now and save up to 25% on lodging and up to 35% on gear rentals.
Come experience Whistler Blackcomb’s extensive terrain and adventure at every turn to see why we're known as one of the best resorts on the planet. Secure your mountain getaway with Whistler.com for personalized service and the local knowledge of our Whistler-based team. If all this has you dreaming of Whistler, enter the Find Your Edge contest to win a six-night trip, including flights, accommodation and adventures.
