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Pique's Guide to WinterPRIDE

Our list of what's what and where for this year's pride week
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Gay Ski Week: WinterPRIDE celebrates it's 20th anniversary this year with Whistler's first-ever pride march. The festival is expected to draw 2,500 people from the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Okay, so WinterPRIDE turns 20 this week and the RMOW will officially proclaim it Whistler's Pride Week next Thursday. This is big news not just for the gay community, but also for Whistler as a whole, as it has established itself as a welcoming, inclusive community for anybody and everybody.

This year, the festival is expected to attract 2,500 people —40 per cent from the U.S., 30 per cent from within in Canada and another 30 per cent from overseas.

According to Dean Nelson, 85 per cent of attendees are male, the majority of whom are of a higher than average income bracket. This means plenty of disposable income to spend on the array of (fabulous!) events that will dominate this town between Feb. 5 and Feb. 12.

But take one look at WinterPRIDE's event schedule and you see that there's an overwhelming abundance of activities to choose from. So many events! So little time! Your panic attack is completely warranted.

Fortunately, Pique has your interests at heart and has broken down the evening events for your consideration, so that you, and everyone else, can enjoy themselves. We'll only cover the events until Thursday, Feb. 9 in this issue, so check back with Pique next week or view our listings page online, for more detailed events throughout next weekend.

Saturday, Feb. 5

WinterPRIDE Welcome Reception (Whistler Conference Centre, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., $15 — includes entry to after party at Buffalo Bill's). This is the official welcome part-ay at WinterPRIDE. It's also a good time to catch up with old friends, meet some new ones and get an idea of what Whistler hospitality is all about while getting a little saucy before stumbling over the next phase of the evening.

Welcome Party (Buffalo Bill's, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. $10 for those without tickets to the welcome reception) No; the party does not end at 10 p.m. All you have to do is shuffle across the way into Buffalo Bill's, which may or may not make an appearance in his finest buckskin pants and cowboy hat. One can only hope. Come 1 a.m. though, you're on your own for the afterparty. But we suggest you sleep. There's plenty to do on Monday.

Monday, Feb. 6

Après Ski (GLC, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., $12) The first of a weeklong string of après parties, the GLC will transform itself into the "Gay, Lesbian Club" and boast the liveliest, most cultured après experience that day. Guaranteed.

Up Your Kilt Party (Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m., $15) After a full day on the hill, or nursing the previous night's hangover, or taking leisurely strolls through the snow, or simply enjoying not being at work, it'll be time for the first true party of the week. Whistler's own Ruckus Deluxe will play, so be prepared to get your jig on. Kilts are optional.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Après Ski (Bearfoot Bistro, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., $12) Okay, day two of skiing is complete and now it's time for some decadent deliciousness at the infamous Bearfoot Bistro. There will be music, culinary delights a la the Bearfoot's executive chef Melissa Craig and, more importantly, a wide selection of vodka in Canada's only vodka ice room, the Belvedere Ice Room.

Echo Valley Ranch Cowboy/Cowgirl party (Buffalo Bill's, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., $15) Okay, Buffalo Bill doesn't really exist, but there'll certainly be at least a few leather-clad cowboys so those inclined can at least pretend are the mythological namesake of the club. The night will include music from Canadian country performer Patrick Masse and the Timberline Dance Society, followed by DJ Byron James.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Après Ski (Whistler Conference Centre, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., $12) We have a challenge for you: try to hit every single après ski session during WinterPRIDE, find and take pictures with every other person who's been to every one and send them into Pique. You'll win absolutely nothing but there's a good chance your face will grace the back pages of this newspaper. How's that for a sweet deal?

Gender Bender Drag Ball (Garfinkel's, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., $15) The name basically says it all. The Gender Bender Drag Ball has been one of WinterPRIDE's marquee events, a party where anyone can be who he or she want, as outlandish as they feel they need to be. The whole week is a celebration of diversity but here it's practically demanded that you tap into your inner queen and let the rainbow streamers fly. Do it. You know you need to.

Thursday, Feb. 9:

Barefoot Mixology with Wine (Bearfoot Bistro, 1 p.m., to 3 p.m., $10) Every one needs a decent party trick, so why not master a few drink mixes? If your friends aren't impressed with that particular trick at least they'll be drunk enough to forgive you. In any case, the Bearfoot is offering to teach how to use a bottle of Barefoot (it's confusing, we know) wine and create "fabulous cocktails!" (Their words, not ours.)

WinterPRIDE March (Whistler Village, 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Thursday's the day when WinterPRIDE revs up and it starts here, with the first ever (!) pride march through the village. The march will start at mid-station on Whistler Mountain and everyone will ski down to skier's plaza. Non-skiers will meet here at 3 p.m. and together everyone will march through the village. In the words of Dean Nelson himself, behold "3,000 beautiful homos filling the village!" Will do. Then at 5 p.m. Whistler's Mayor Nancy Wilhelm Morden will address the crowd and officially welcome everyone and proclaim Whistler Pride Week at the Whistler Conference Centre.

Après Ski (Whistler Conference Centre, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.): More post-ski drinking, socializing and rubbing of tired and aching leg muscles.

Whistler Tasting Tours (Meet at FireRock Lounge, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., $109.99 per person; wine pairings are optional for another $29.99) It's a mini Cornucopia revival for pride week, featuring a tour of four Whistler's establishments, starting with the Bearfoot Bistro (which you should be well acquainted with if you've been following this event calendar), then on to Hy's Steakhouse, Quattro and ending at the FireRock.

WinterPRIDE Comedy Show (Whistler Conference Centre, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., $36) Okay, some of you don't like to ski. Some of you aren't fond of cowboys. Others have no interest in embracing their inner queen. Fine. We get it. But there's always an event that bridges people's differences and that bridge is know as comedy. Hosted by Vancouver's drag diva Symone Says, the night will include Vancouver comedian Julia Stretch and Los Angeles-based Jason Stuart.

WinterPRIDE Pool Party (Meadow Park Sports Centre, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., $36) Okay, so you don't like comedy either. Sue us. But there's one thing that everyone likes and that's seeing attractive people in bathing suits jumping into pools and then crawling out of them. Yes, this is a near-universal delight, regardless of age or sexual preference, and almost certainly why WinterPRIDE has brought the Pool Party back for another year.

Part 2 of our guide will be published on Thursday, Feb. 9.