We (Karl and Daan) love winter, snow, and the queer community. Over the years we’ve learned that ski weeks are about so much more than skiing: they are about visibility, safety, and celebration. Karl grew up snowboarding in East Germany, and together we’ve joined Jasper Pride in the Canadian Rockies and Whistler Pride in British Columbia. Those trips left us with cold noses but warm hearts. This page brings together everything we know about Gay Ski Weeks and LGBTQ+ Ski Festivals around the world — written from our perspective and experiences on and off the slopes. By collecting all these ski events here, we hope to make it easier for LGBTQ+ travelers to plan their next winter adventure. Whether you’re new to Winter Pride or a returning fan of the annual gay ski weeks on the slopes, this is the place to start.
But wait, what are gay & LGBTQ+ ski weeks?
A Gay Ski Week is a trip to the mountains where skiing or snowboarding mixes with queer culture in a very visible way. Imagine rainbow flags waving proudly on snowy slopes, drag queens hosting après-ski events, DJs turning mountain huts into clubs, and hundreds of LGBTQ+ travelers enjoying a safe space together. These winter events are part of the broader Pride Movement, bringing visibility to queer people, even in areas where acceptance is still growing, such as rural mountain regions.
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The first official event of this kind started back in 1977 in Aspen, Colorado, and the tradition has grown worldwide. Today, some events still carry the name “Gay Ski Week,” while others are rebranded as Pride or LGBTQ+ Ski Festivals to highlight inclusivity. We use “Gay Ski Week” here because that’s the term most travelers search for when planning. Still, every single festival is about the same thing: visibility, safety, and the joy of queer people coming together in winter wonderlands as one community. Additionally, we also use resources like the Gay Travel Index to check how LGBTQ+ friendly a country or region is before heading to the mountains.
Gay Ski Weeks in Europe
Europe is home to some of the most established winter LGBTQ+ events, and for us, it’s always a highlight to explore the Alps with our community. Arosa in Switzerland waves rainbow flags all season, creating one of the warmest and most inclusive atmospheres in the mountains. France hosts two major festivals: European Snow Pride in Tignes, renowned for its extensive après-ski program, and European Gay Ski Week in Val Thorens, which typically attracts the largest gathering of queer skiers and snowboarders in Europe. Italy welcomes travelers to Cortina during Italy Gay Ski Week, while Switzerland’s Lenzerheide is known for Swing Gay Ski Week. This event combines a family-like atmosphere with great skiing. Each of these festivals mixes long ski days with unforgettable nights full of music, laughter, and community.
Gay Travel Index 2025
The Berlin-based Spartacus informs LGBTQ+ and queer travelers about how gay-friendly a holiday destination is according to several ranking factors and criteria.
Which country ranks first? Where is it safe to travel to as a gay and LGBTQ+ traveler?
You can use the GTI to prepare for your gaycation and as a guide when choosing a holiday destination.
Gay ski weeks in Asia-Pacific
Lately, LGBTQ+ ski weeks have also started to grow in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan’s Hakuba has become a favorite for international travelers who want to combine great skiing with Japanese culture. After a day on the slopes, evenings in the onsen with a queer crowd make the event special. In New Zealand, Winter Pride Queenstown brings the rainbow to the Southern Hemisphere every August, offering everything from ski races to drag shows in one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. And in Australia, Falls Creek hosts Gay Ski Week Down Under, a unique chance for queer winter sports fans to celebrate together during the southern winter. These events might be newer, but they show how queer ski culture is spreading globally, giving LGBTQ+ travelers even more chances to experience Pride on the slopes.
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Gay Ski Weeks in North America
North America is the birthplace of the Gay Ski Week movement, and it remains one of the best places to experience it – be in the USA or in Canada. Aspen Gay Ski Week has been running since the seventies and is still one of the biggest and most famous events. California’s Mammoth and Utah’s Park City host the Elevation festivals, each bringing thousands of LGBTQ+ travelers together for days of skiing and nights of parties. And then there’s Whistler Pride in Canada, where we joined the rainbow parade down the mountain and danced until our legs were sore. It’s one of the most inclusive events, welcoming every part of the community. Jasper Pride in the Canadian Rockies is smaller but full of heart and an incredible mountain setting. Each of these ski weeks shows how important visibility and safe spaces are, and how fun it can be to combine winter sports with queer culture.
Why join gay ski weeks?
For us, it’s the combination of sport, community, and freedom that makes these weeks so special. And yes, they are popular among gay bears and their friends, too. You ski or snowboard during the day, meet new friends on the chairlift, and dance in ski boots at night until you can hardly stand. The atmosphere is different compared to a regular ski holiday: safer, warmer, and much more open. We’ve had moments where we looked around and thought, “This is what Pride in the snow feels like.” Gay Ski Weeks give LGBTQ+ people the chance to be visible in spaces that are often very traditional. Whether you are a beginner or an expert on the slopes, you will find your place in the community. And honestly, the parties, concerts, and après-ski events alone are reason enough to go — especially when they are mixed with snow, mountains, and the energy of Pride. Over the years, we’ve built a collection of Gay Travel Guides that can help you plan trips far beyond the slopes.
Plan your next winter Pride trip
Planning your trip to a Gay Ski Week is part of the fun. Timing is essential: in the Northern Hemisphere, most events happen between January and March, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are held in August and September. Packing is more than just ski gear: you’ll need warm layers for the slopes, casual clothes for the village, and something fabulous for the themed party nights.
Accommodation is another important point. Choosing the right accommodation can make or break your trip. We’ve reviewed plenty of gay-friendly hotels where couples like us feel at home. We continually look for LGBTQ+ welcoming places, and Booking.com’s Travel Proud program is a reliable way to find them. Please note travel logistics: shuttle buses from airports to mountain resorts, ski passes that you can pre-book online, and early hotel reservations to secure the best spots close to the lifts.
Hands-On Checklist
- Choose your destination and event dates early (Aspen, Arosa, Whistler, etc.)
- Book accommodation with LGBTQ+ welcoming hosts
- Reserve flights and ground transfers in advance
- Buy or reserve ski passes online to save time
- Pack ski/snowboard equipment or arrange rental on site
- Bring warm layers, waterproof outerwear, and casual village clothes
- Don’t forget festive outfits for theme parties and après-ski nights
- Check health insurance and travel documents
- Download event schedules and apps where available
- Plan recovery time: spa, onsen, or wellness breaks can be essential
With a little preparation, you can focus on enjoying your Gay Ski Week to the fullest once you arrive. We always try to support local queer cafés, bars, and shops in ski towns. You’ll find more inspiration on how we highlight LGBTQ+ businesses here.
Plan your next visit to one of the gay ski weeks here
Gay Ski Weeks are about skiing, they are about belonging, and they are about finding joy in being visible together as one LGBTQ+ community — from the Alps to the Rockies to New Zealand. When we joined our first Pride on the slopes, we felt part of something bigger, a community that stretches from Aspen to Arosa and all the way to Queenstown.
That’s why we keep writing about them and why we believe they matter so much. We hope this hub helps you find your next winter adventure, whether it’s in Europe, North America, or the mountains of Japan, New Zealand, or Australia. Maybe we’ll even meet you on the slopes one day, rainbow flag in hand, ready to celebrate another Gay Ski Week together.
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Karl & Daan.