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Ball to keep rollin’ until 6 a.m.

What: Altitude 12 Snowball Where: Telus Conference Centre When: Saturday, Feb.

What: Altitude 12 Snowball

Where: Telus Conference Centre

When: Saturday, Feb. 7

Tickets: $90 (special pricing for locals)

Ever since Altitude, annual gay and lesbian ski and snowboard week, threw its first Snowball the party has become known as one of the hottest tickets of the year.

There are big name DJs such as Tony Moran, who is on the decks this year, mind-blowing visuals, and a non-stop party vibe that shows no sign of stopping by 4 a.m., closing time for Snowball 11.

This year Tourism Whistler has granted Altitude organizers the use of the Telus Conference Centre for Snowball 12 until 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

Granted, there will be many revellers who will emerge blinking into the sunny, snowy morning still looking for a private afterparty. Nevertheless, organizers are pleased.

"It says a lot about our relationship with Whistler," said Rodney Plante, Altitude assistant producer. "We’ve been an event that’s proven itself as not needing a lot of security, a lot of policing. Our clientele tend to be more mature professionals. Their behaviour is not cause for concern."

The 6 a.m. extension is not unprecedented for Altitude; parties in past years have gone to the same time. The event must still comply with liquor licensing regulations that require organizers to stop serving liquor at 1:30 a.m.

"They’ve had extended hours in the past and we’ve never received any complaints," said Linda Gilroy, manager of conference services for Tourism Whistler.

Snowball organizers also communicated with the RCMP and made efforts to decorate with acoustics in mind said Gilroy.

"After 12 years the event has more than proven its worth to the community," said Gilroy. "It draws an older demographic that’s well travelled, has disposable income, and fits the profile of the kind of customer we’re looking for in Whistler.

"We’re trying to partner wherever appropriate to make the event the world class event they want to become."

"We’re very grateful," Plante added. "In the program we publish a page just reminding people to keep it quiet when they leave. And they will."

Snowball 12 kicks off at 10 p.m. at the Telus Conference Centre and features DJ Tony Moran and female impersonator performance artist Sofonda. Tickets are $90, with special rates for locals.

Call 604-938-0132 for information.