Monday, December 30, 2013

Snow Update for Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb - Holiday Snow & Terrain Update
Whistler is enjoying a great holiday season with local and destination guests alike enjoying the magic of play with friends and family on our snow covered mountains.

At this time Whistler Blackcomb has over 7,000 acres of terrain open for skiers and riders out of 8,171 –more terrain than any other mountain resort in North America!

Between both mountains all major express chairlifts and gondolas are in operation, weather dependent. Our guests have been skiing and riding groomed, snow covered trails suitable for all abilities, and the ski outs to all base areas - Blackcomb’s Upper Village, Whistler Village and Creekside Village - are providing one vertical mile of skiing from top to bottom. Check out the grooming report, updated daily as well as live lift status here: whistlerblackcomb.com

The snow in the forecast later this week has everyone drooling with anticipation and colder temperatures will enable Whistler Blackcomb’s large team of snowmaking experts to get into high gear to lend a hand to cover the slopes with even more snow.

FAST FACTS ABOUT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB’S TERRAIN AND SNOW NOW
·         7000+ acres of terrain open -  the most terrain on offer in North America
·         All major express chairlifts and gondolas are currently open including the NEW Harmony6 and the Crystal Ridge Express
·         Top to bottom skiing - 5,280 vertical feet on Blackcomb and 5,000 vertical feet on Whistler
·         Snowmaking: 250 snowguns on both mountains have converted over 230 million gallons of water into snow since the beginning of November
·         Over 800 acres of terrain is groomed on average each night
·         There is over 20cms of snow and colder temperatures forecasted for later this week
o   Call 604-932-4211 or check whistlerblackcomb.com for the latest forecast and snow stats

TIPS FOR SKIERS AND RIDERS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR DAY AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
·         Best snow is in the high alpine and head up early for less crowds and the best grooming.
·         Fresh Tracks Mountain Top Breakfast lets guests head up extra early to take advantage of pristine grooming.
·         Horstman and Blackcomb Glaciers offering great conditions for Intermediate and Advanced skiers and riders.
·         Whistler Blackcomb Snow School can guide to the best runs for conditions and abilities levels while giving lift line priority.

·         Don’t forget to cap the day with legendary après at Merlin’s Bar & Grill, Dusty’s Bar & BBQ or the Garibaldi Lift Co.

WinterPRIDE is now less than a month away and still time to secure your ski package deals.  Call 1.866.787.1966 or book online at whistlerblackcomb.com/gaywhistler





Sunday, December 15, 2013

75 Santas Open new Harmony6 at Whistler

OVER 75 SANTAS SWARM WHISTLER BLACKCOMB FOR THE OPENING OF THE HARMONY 6 EXPRESS CHAIRLIFT

WHISTLER, BC December 14, 2013 – As it turns out Santa likes to snag a few fresh ski laps as a warm up before getting on the sleigh for the big present drop. Over 75 Santas descended on Whistler Blackcomb Saturday dressed head to toe as either Mr. or Mrs. Clause for the annual “Dress Like Santa Day”. The first 75 guests outfitted in full costume were given a free lift ticket and escorted to the front of the line to ride the first chair for the grand opening of the brand new Harmony 6 Express chairlift.

At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Whistler Blackcomb’s president and CEO Dave Brownlie, cut the ribbon to officially open the first six-seater chairlift installed on the mountain. The new Harmony 6 Express, located on Whistler Mountain, replaced the old Harmony high-speed quad chairlift and has dramatically improved uphill capacity by 50 per cent compared to the old chair; going from 2,400 skiers per hour to 3,600.




With 14cm of fresh snow in the past week, and an 85cm base; Whistler Blackcomb is now offering the most vertical and open terrain compared to any other resort in North America with 5,280 vertical feet of descent spread over 5,050 acres.

About the Harmony 6 Express:
The Harmony 6 Express is the first six-pack chairlift at Whistler Blackcomb and will service terrain spanning from the edge of the Symphony Amphitheatre all the way over to Glacier Bowl, adjacent to the Peak Express. This area, known as the Harmony Zone, makes up over 485 hectares (1,200 acres) of Whistler Blackcomb’s 3,306 hectares (8,171 acres) of total terrain. With a wide variety of beginner to expert terrain options, the Harmony 6 Express will ensure skiers and riders are able to spend more time on the mountain exploring the spectacular, powder-covered alpine that Whistler Blackcomb is celebrated for.
The Harmony 6 Express has the same alignment as the old Harmony quad; spanning 1,729 metres (5,672ft) in length, with a vertical rise of 525 metres (1,722ft). The top elevation of the lift is 2,107 metres (6,912ft); the bottom elevation is 1,582 metres (5,190ft).
The new chair is part of Whistler Blackcomb’s $18 million investment into infrastructure upgrades for the two mountains. As part of the capital expansion, Blackcomb Mountain’s new Crystal Ridge Express chairlift was unveiled to the public for the first time last Saturday.

Construction on the two new lifts began in the spring of 2013 and was completed in time for winter. Excluding the opening of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in 2008, these two new lifts are the first lift installations at the resort since the Symphony Express chairlift was opened on Whistler Mountain in 2006. The last time Blackcomb Mountain underwent a lift expansion was for the Excalibur Gondola and the Excelerator Express quad chair in 1994.

Whistler's 22nd annual Gay & Lesbian ski/snowboard week is posed to be another epic year with this year's Christmas presents of the new Harmony6 and the Glacier Express Chairs.  WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 1st, 2014.  For reservations and packages call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at GayWhistler.com

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

1700+ acres open in time for US Thanksgiving at Whistler Blackcomb

Blackcomb Mountain to Open at Whistler Blackcomb Thursday November 28
PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and Full Size Terrain Park Also Opening
WHISTLER, BC November 27, 2013 – This Thursday, November 28, Whistler Blackcomb will complete its winter kick-off by opening Blackcomb Mountain to skiers and snowboarders. After two successful weeks operating on Whistler Mountain, the operations team has readied Blackcomb Mountain which will add approximately 700 acres of terrain to Whistler’s 1000+ acres for guests to enjoy.  Blackcomb’s lift operations team notes there will be seven lifts opening including the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Guests will have the option to either upload at the Wizard Express in the Upper Village, the Excalibur Gondola in Whistler Village, or cross over from Whistler Mountain via the PEAK 2 PEAK. Also opening on Blackcomb will be the Excelerator Chair, Solar Express, Jersey Cream and Catskinner chairs.  As an added bonus, the Whistler Blackcomb Terrain Park crew has been putting in long hours to have a full terrain park built and ready to ride on Thursday.

“We are extremely excited to get guests up on both mountains and are proud of the hard work our operations teams have been putting into our opening days,” says Doug MacFarlene, Mountain Manager at Whistler Blackcomb.  “We’ve been focusing on our snowmaking to help out Mother Nature and with our recent snowmaking upgrades on Blackcomb things are looking really good.  Again we would like to remind guests it is still early season, and it is important to obey signage and ski and ride on open runs only.” 

Blackcomb Mountain Food and Beverage locations that will be opening on Thursday include Merlin’s Bar and the Wizard Grill at the base of the mountain, as well as the Rendezvous and Glacier Creek Lodges on the mountain.
The hours of operation for both Whistler and Blackcomb will be 8:30am to 3:00pm with the last upload at 2:30pm and the ski out open to Whistler Village from both mountains. Lifts tickets will be available from the Whistler Village, Creekside and Blackcomb Daylodge ticket windows or online at www.whistlerblackcomb.com. Edge Cards are also available at the early bird rates until December 2 for Canadians and Washington State residents, and later that month the Grand Opening of Whistler Blackcomb’s two new lifts; The Crystal Ridge Express and the Harmony 6 Express is scheduled for Saturday, December 7.

New version – Whistler Blackcomb Mobile App and Mobile Website
The latest version of the free Whistler Blackcomb mobile app, powered by TELUS is available for iPhone and Android phones. The improved app features a completely new user interface plus reports on live mountain conditions, webcam feeds, snow and lift alerts to ensure a connected mountain experience. Through the 2013.14 winter season, Whistler Blackcomb will add more content to improve the app including a new completely enhanced Run Tracker with Cloud support and a new Friend Finder feature. The newly released mobile website quickly provides all the detailed mountain information right to any mobile device and tablet. Visit http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/app for more information.

Guests looking to plan a trip to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America can visit whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages  or call 1-866.787.1966.

The Aava Whistler Hotel is a proud sponsor and host hotel for the 22nd Annual WinterPRIDE festival January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  Plan your Whistler Gay Ski Week escape today.  Special guests include:  Ivan Gomez (BCN), DJ Phil B (SFO), DJ Pornstar (LA), DJ Paulo (LA), DJ Seth Cooper (Chicago), DJ Nick Bertossi (Vancouver), DJ Del Stamp (Vancouver) and more! Use Promo Code: "Turkey" and take an additional $22 off for #BlackFriday.  Get your festival tickets today!  Happy US Thanksgiving!


Friday, November 15, 2013

Volunteer for Pride! Winter has arrived...

It is that time of year again when Whistler is getting ready to gear up for another incredible snow season at the number mountain resort - Whistler Blackcomb!  Giving back to your community can be one of the most rewarding things you can do and GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is no exception.  Volunteer for Pride today and sign up now.

WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  Host Hotel + Pride House is the Aava Whistler

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Pssst! Whistler Mountain Opens Saturday!

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB OPENING EARLY - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16
Whistler Mountain opens 13 days early for eager skiers and riders

WHISTLER, BC November 13, 2013 - Thanks to cold temperatures, impressive snowmaking and natural snowfall Whistler Mountain will open thirteen days early on Saturday, November 16. With five lifts running, guests will have the option to upload from either the Whistler Village Gondola or the Creekside Gondola. Blackcomb Mountain will open, as scheduled, on American Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 28, 2013.

“Early season snowfall combined with our snowmaking team converting over 60 million gallons of water into snow the past few weeks, has allowed us to get things started early again this season,” says Doug MacFarlane, mountain manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “With all the excitement of opening day, we want to remind guests early season conditions will apply, especially off piste. It is important to obey mountain signage, ski and ride on open runs only and stay within the operational area marked by “Temporary Boundary” signage. Guests should be aware there will be rocks and other hazards below the snow surface; we do not recommend skiing and riding outside the temporary boundary in any circumstances.”

First upload on the Whistler Village Gondola and Creekside Gondola will begin at 8:30 am, with last upload at 2:30pm on November 16. Emerald Express, Big Red Express and the Franz Chair lifts will be running, allowing access to 1800 vertical feet of skiing and riding terrain. Runs set to open will include Ego Bowl, Upper Whiskey Jack, Upper Franz, Papoose, Orange Peel and Pony Trail. Stay tuned for more and to keep updated with the most up-to-date information about lift status, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/lifts-and-grooming/index.

Whistler Mountain dining locations will also be open on November 16, including Essentially Blackcomb Cappuccino Bar in the Carleton Lodge, Dusty’s Bar & Grill in Creekside, the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, and the Garibaldi Lift Co., Whistler’s world-famous location for après. 

Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations will operate from the Blackcomb Day Lodge, Creekside and Whistler Village on Friday, November 15 from 9am-7pm and on Saturday from all three locations from 7am-5pm. From Sunday onwards only the Village and Creekside Guest Relations will operate from 8am-5pm each day until Blackcomb Mountain opens on Thursday, November 28 and the Blackcomb Day Lodge opens again.

Ski and snowboard rentals will be available at the base of Whistler Mountain at Gondola Rentals, from 8am – 5pm, Essentially Blackcomb from 8am – 5pm, and the Salomon Store from 8am – 5pm. Can Ski Creekside will be open at the Creekside base from 8am – 5pm.
Adult Max 4 ski and snowboard lessons will be available on Whistler Mountain, and can be booked online or by calling 1-866-787-1966.

Beginning November 15, Whistler Blackcomb’s Snow Report will be updated daily throughout the season and can be accessed online or by calling 604-932-4211 in Whistler, 604-687-7507 in Vancouver, or toll-free at 1-800-766-0449.

For Canadian and Washington State residents, Whistler Blackcomb offers the EDGE Card, allowing guests to ski/ride from $69 (CDN) a day. EDGE Cards are valid for use all season long, and are available at early bird pricing until November 25 at whistlerblackcomb.com/save.
Guests interested in planning a trip to Whistler can take advantage of the Early Season Booking Offer which runs until November 15, and includes four nights lodging and a three day lift ticket deal from $99 per person, per night. To book a trip to the No. 1 rated mountain resort in North America visit whistlerblackcomb.com/lodgingdeals or call 1-866-787-1966.

Reminder:  GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is a week earlier this season.  New dates are:  Jan.26-Feb02, 2014.  Stay + Ski packages start at just $115/person/night when  you book before Nov. 15th.  New this year is a special Stay, Ski + Play Package which inlcudes accommodations for 7-nights, 5-day ski and a full week WinterPRIDE festival package for just $179/person/night.  For this and other packages call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at whistlerblackcomb.com/gaywhistler.  Book before Nov. 15th.  WinterPRIDE is proud to call the Aava Whistler Hotel home.  Official Pride Hotel for 2014.

WinterPRIDE special guests DJ's include:  DJ IVAN GOMEZ (BCN), DJ PHIL B (SFO), DJ PAULO (LA), DJ PORNSTAR (LA), DJ SETH COOPER (Chicago), DJ NICK BERTOSSI (Vancouver).  WinterPRIDE is proud to be working with Big Roger Events and ShowMax for incredible light + sound experience Whistler has yet to experience!  Get your festival tickets today!

Eventbrite - WinterPRIDE Men's Event Passes 2014

About Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,192 centimetres (469 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.


Thursday, November 7, 2013

Whistler Blackcomb awarded top scores

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB RECEIVES TOP SCORES FROM ANNUAL RESORT RANKINGS


Photo by: Jussi Grznar | Whistler, BC, Canada
Accolades Credited To Whistler Blackcomb’s Incredible Terrain And Dedicated Staff

WHISTLER, BC November 7, 2013 – The annual resort rankings are in and Whistler Blackcomb is proud to be the recipient of four “best overall” awards and 12 “category wins”. These consistent results continue to position Whistler Blackcomb as one of the leading ski resorts in the world and a must-visit destination on every traveller’s bucket list.

“Our success is credited to our prime geographical location which results in great snow and an incredible variety of terrain, but what really makes the difference is our people,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Whistler Blackcomb.  “Our staff strives every day to provide the best and most memorable experiences to all of our guests and these awards are proof of that effort. We constantly aim to improve our physical assets as we respect our natural environment. The addition of the Crystal Ridge Express and the Harmony 6 Express chairs this winter will heighten the guest experience by moving people around the mountain more efficiently to their favorite zones.  We’re confident these expansions, along with our focus on guest service, will allow us to remain at the top.”


Whistler Blackcomb Awards and Rankings 2013.2014

No.1 Overall
-       Freeskier Magazine
-       SBC Resort Guide
-       Best Overall Northwest Region, Onthesnow.com
-       2013 Ski Club of Great Britain: Highest Net Promoter Score in the world.

Accolades
-       #1 Landmark In Canada, Trip Advisor, Traveller’s Choice Awards
-       Best Gondola View in North America, Liftopia.com
-       One of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Canada’s Top 100 Employers, CAN
-       Top 25 Ski Resorts in the World, Snowaddiction.org
-       Best Winter Destination, Georgia Straight, Best of Vancouver 2013
-       Best Weekend Getaway, Georgia Straight, Beat of Vancouver 2013
-       Best Terrain in the West, SBC Resort Guide
-       Best Parks in the West, SBC Resort Guide
-       Best Terrain in Northwest Region, Onthesnow.com
-       Top 5 Canadian Resorts, Huffington Post
-       Best Après, SKI Magazine
-       Best Ski Resorts for Powder, Telegraph UK
-       Best Nightlife, Freeskier Magazine
-       Best Nightlife in Northwest Region, Onthesnow.com
-       Best Nightlife Overall, Onthesnow.com
-       Best Nightlife, TransWorld SNOWboarding
-       No.2 Lodging , SKI Magazine
-       No.2 Terrain Variety, SKI Magazine
-       No.2 Off-Hill Activities, SKI Magazine
-       No.2 Best on a Powder Day, Freeskier Magazine
-       No.2 Best Apres. Freeskier Magazine
-       No.2 Best Steeps, Freeskier Magazine
-       No.3 Top Resorts, TransWorld SNOWboarding
-       No.4 Dining, SKI Magazine
-       No.4 Digital Presence, SKI Magazine
-       No.5 Best Parks, TransWorld SNOWboarding
-       No.5 Lifts, SKI Magazine
-       No.5 Top Lifts to Lap – Peak Express, Freeskier Magazine


Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to officially open for the winter season on Thursday, November 28.
Click to book WinterPRIDE Hotel Package Now
Guests looking to plan a trip can save up to 39 per cent on ski and stay packages by taking advantage of Whistler's Early Booking Offer until November 15, 2013.  Visit whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages  or call 1-866-787-1966 for details.

Reminder:  The 22nd annual Gay & Lesbian Ski/Snowboard Week - GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  Headline entertainment include: DJ Ivan Gomez (BCN), DJ Phil B. (SFO), DJ Pornstar (LA), DJ Paulo (LA), DJ Seth Cooper (Chicago) and DJ Nick Bertossi (Vancouver).  8-days, 65-events, 26-nations, 3,000+ guys and gals enjoying diversity at the leading Mountain Resort in North America (and the world!).  Host hotel:  Aava Whistler



Eventbrite - WinterPRIDE Men's Event Passes 2014

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Waffles + Wagers

It really is amazing how quickly time ticks away... days are becoming shorter, the mornings more crisp and the snow line on the mountains keep creeping closer to the valley floor.  We are now just a short 10-days away from the Nov. 15th Early Booking offer deadline to lock in your epic snowcation getaway.  I know it can be hard to imagine the awesomeness that is to come, but our friends at +WhistlerBlackcomb have just released a "taste" of things to come.... we present:
Waffles + Wagers




The Wonder Reels S2: Waffles, Wagers and the NEW Crystal Ridge Express features a foursome of skiers and snowboarders riding up the new Crystal Ridge Express chair who decide on a friendly wager for waffles at the Crystal Hut. The friends romp and race through the iconic Crystal Zone on Blackcomb Mountain and the last one to the bottom has to buy the waffles back at the top. This video is produced by Switchback Entertainment and the featured athletes include Ashleigh McIvor, Ian Morrison, Robjn Taylor and Jesse Millen.

Remember to lock in your deals today and see you throughout the season and at Whistler's #WinterPRIDE January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  Call 1.866.787.1966 or online GayWhistler.com



Saturday, October 5, 2013

#WBSnowReady Oct03 Epic Tease

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB CELEBRATES AMAZING EARLY SEASON SNOW BY AWARDING A SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST WINNER WITH THE SEASON’S FIRST HELI-SKI EXPERIENCE 

WHISTLER BC, October 4, 2013 – Every year Whistler Blackcomb sends professional athletes up
Blackcomb Mountain to document their first powder turns of the season but, thanks to unusually large amounts of early snow, Whistler Blackcomb was able to send athletes up earlier than ever before. Yesterday, professional skiers Mike Douglas, Eric Hjorleifson and professional snowboarder Annie Boulanger were flown up to Blackcomb Mountain and the Spearman Glacier by Whistler Heli-Skiing for their first tracks of the season.

In another unprecedented first, Whistler Blackcomb also sent #WBFirstTracks social media contest winner Jeremy Bekken (aka JerBuck) along for the ride for his winning Instagram photo – a powdery smile plastered on his face the entire day. All the while, legendary ski photographer Paul Morrison and Switchback Entertainment captured the action on film and photo.



Reminder:  This coming weekend is the Legendary Turkey Sale at Whistler Oct. 11-13, 2013!

Save up to 70% off Brand names and get yourself sorted for the best snow season ever!  Room rates starting at just $89/night or stay at the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler for a special Thanksgiving Special of just $139/night.  Many of Whistler's restaurants will have some awesome Fall wine & dine specials too plus the various spas will also have some special treats and savings to get you into the spirit of #WinterIsComing.

Call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at WhistlerBlackcomb.com

Remember to book before Nov. 15 for the best deals of the season! REmind
Reminder: WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014. 8 Days, 65 Events, 3,000+ 'Mo's from around the world celebrating diversity in the snow! Visit GayWhistler.com for more info.Eventbrite - WinterPRIDE Men's Event Passes 2014

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Legendary Turkey Sale in Whistler Returns

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB’S LEGENDARY TURKEY SALE RETURNS OCTOBER 11-14

Bargain hunters to cash in on ski & snowboard equipment deals + merchandise up to 70 per cent off 

WHISTLER BC, October 3, 2013 - It’s almost Thanksgiving, and the snow is flying in the alpine earlier than normal, causing skiers and boarders to rub their mitts together at the thought of Whistler Blackcomb’s annual Turkey Sale. Yes, there will be turkeys on sale but more importantly, snow fanatics can cash in on massive deals. Demo skis will also be on clearance, as well as savings of up to 70 per cent off equipment and accessories.

“The scale of this year’s Turkey Sale is enormous. We are filling up over 20,000 square feet of the Blackcomb Daylodge with deeply discounted ski and snowboard merchandise,” said Josh Buchanan, merchandising manager of retail operations at Whistler Blackcomb. “Last year we experienced amazing traffic as people converged from all over the Sea to Sky, Metro Vancouver and abroad. This year we are hoping for the same attendance as we get ready for one of Whistler’s busiest weekends.”

For the second year in a row frozen turkeys will be on sale for $15 each on Saturday, October 12 starting at 9 a.m., until quantities last. All proceeds from the Thanksgiving birds sold will go towards the Whistler Food Bank.

In conjunction with the Turkey Sale, the International Freeski Film Festival (iF3) will also make a stop at Whistler Blackcomb on Saturday, October 12, 2013. iF3 Whistler Blackcomb will feature premieres of the year’s best ski movies, including Into The Mind, an award winning film produced by Whistler locals Sherpas Cinema. Level 1 Productions’ latest ski film Partly Cloudy features a huge step over to step up jump session on Blackcomb Mountain, closing out the festival in style. There will also be a retro ski-themed kick-off party and a rocker-themed wrap up. The premieres will be held at Millennium Place, in the heart of Whistler Village. Visit www.whistler.if3.ca for more information.

Turkey Sale hours:
Friday, October 11 - 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Open to locals, season pass holders and EDGE Card holders only. Proof of identification will be required at the door.

Open to general public:
Saturday, October 12 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 13 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, October 14 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CAN-SKI Blackcomb Open House – On Saturday, October 12, CAN-SKI Blackcomb will be marking down all of last year's high-end fashion and skiwear apparel to 50 per cent off. In addition, the store will be fully stocked with this year's latest trends from Bogner, Canada Goose, Toni Sailer and Mountain Force. The event is for the whole family with complimentary refreshments and cupcakes served from 2 to 5 p.m., as well as face painting and Jazz The Balloon Man.

Kid’s Buy Back Program - Returning to CAN-SKI this year, shoppers who purchase new junior ski gear this season can return it before May 31, 2014 for a 50 per cent voucher on next year’s gear. Those who participated in the program last year are encouraged to bring in their vouchers and shop for 2014 kids gear.

SWAP - The "Sale With Awesome Prices" is back by popular demand, selling quality pre-owned equipment for both kids and adults. Organized by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, the sale will also feature clothing and accessories from Whistler Blackcomb's chain of retail outlets. The SWAP tent will be located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those interested in selling their used equipment at the sale can connect with Whistler Mountain Ski Club.

New version – Whistler Blackcomb Mobile App
The latest version of the free Whistler Blackcomb mobile app, powered by TELUS will be available for iPhone on October 12. An Android version will be released soon after. The improved app features a completely new user interface plus reports on live mountain conditions, webcam feeds, snow and lift alerts to ensure a memorable mountain experience. Through the 2013.14 winter season, Whistler Blackcomb will be adding more content to improve the app including an enhanced Run Tracker system and a new Friend Finder feature.
Opening Day - Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to officially open on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Skiers and riders itching for snow can check out Whistler Blackcomb’s Wonder Reels season two video The Wait For Winter, a sneak peek of all the powder to come this season.


22nd Annual WinterPRIDE - one of the world's leading LGBT Ski/Snowboard weeks is one week earlier this year in a time time slot of January 26th to February 2nd, 2014.  For more information visit GayWhistler.com or Call 1.866.787.1966  Host hotel:  Aava Whistler 




Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The Wait for Winter

The 2013/14 Snow season is less than two months away and our friends at Whistler Blackcomb are
hard at work getting the mountains ready with two new lifts:  The Harmony6 on Whistler and the Crystal Express on Blackcomb.  The mountain team has also been busy with summer grooming and redesign making the transitions to the lifts easier for both skiers and snowboarders something that I am sure everyone will appreciate.

This past weekend, Whistler was hammered by an intense storm transforming the alpine with a massive blanket of snow (Sept. 29) sending the village into feverish anticipation of the coming season.  So today when Whistler Blackcomb released the next installment of "The Wonder Reels" Season 2 - we could hardly wait to share it with you.

Filmed, edited and produced by Switchback Entertainment, The Wonder Reels S2: The Wait For Winter showcases this magical time of October rains that will eventually give way to November storms. As the mountains reveal their first dustings of white, a palpable anticipation begins. Skiing and snowboarding's faithful start a ritualistic foreplay that culminates in the un-matched celebration of another opening day...

Whistler Opens November 28th, 2013 | GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is January 26-February 2nd, 2014.  Call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at GayWhistler.com reserve your snow-escape by November 15th for the best deals of the season.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Winter Is Coming - Whistler new and improved

#WinterIsComing and Whistler has never been more ready than this year.  Whistler Blackcomb has invested in several major capital projects this past summer to continue to make this resort the best on the planet.  So get those boards shined up... here is what is new this coming season!

The Harmony high-speed quad chair on Whistler Mountain will be replaced with a new high-speed chairlift capable of transporting six people on each chair, called the Harmony Six.
  • Carrying capacity will lift by 50 percent from 2,400 skiers per hour to 3,600
  • New lift will follow the same alignment, servicing terrain from the edge of Symphony Amphitheatre over to Glacier Bowl.
The Crystal Zone will undertake a dramatic transformation when the fixed-grip triple chair is superseded by a high-speed quad chairlift with a radically different aspect.
  • The bottom terminal of the new chair will start at a lower elevation on Blackcomb Glacier Road
  • New lift will simplify access to the Crystal Zone, eliminating the need to use the Excelerator Chair to access many Crystal Zone favourites such as Ridge Runner, Rock ’N’ Roll and gladed trails including Outer Limits
  • Return access to the Glacier Express Chair will also be faster, allowing quicker access to the Horstman Glacier, Blackcomb Glacier and Spanky’s Ladder
  • Skier carrying capacity will improve by 65 per cent to 2,400 skiers per hour
Crystal Zone Snowmaking Upgrades
To complement the opening of the new Crystal Chairlift, Whistler Blackcomb has invested in extensive snowmaking infrastructure for the Crystal Zone. The upgrade will ensure excellent early and late season coverage in the popular area, and boost the mid-mountain skiing options on Blackcomb Mountain.


Reminder... for all Washington and Canadian Residents make sure you purchase your Edge Card for the best value on and off Whistler Blackcomb this season with daily rates starting at just $65/day vs. the $100+ at the window.  For non Washington and Canadian Residents, make sure you book your hotel and ski package by November 15th for the best deals.  Call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at whistlerblackcomb.com  The 22nd annual Gay & Lesbians Ski Snowboard week - GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is January 26th - February 2nd, 2014.  Host Hotel Aava Whistler is getting geared up to make this an even better year!  Remember to get your festival tickets by November 30th for the best value.  Tickets now on sale!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Advertise with GayWhistler

Are you looking to reach out to the LGBT community?  Do you have a product or service you would like to launch or promote at one of the leading LGBT Mountain destinations?  GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is an excellent venue to advertise and to promote your company.

There are a variety of ways in which your company can be promoted at the annual Gay and Lesbian Ski/Snowboard week in Whistler - WinterPRIDE January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  

  • You can place an ad in the 2014 Festival guide (3,000 printed guides and over 7,100 downloads annually)
  • You can place an ad on the website of gaywhistler.com 
  • You can participate in the Welcome Expo on Sunday, January 26th, 2014
  • You can participate in the welcome bag program
  • You can have an activation during the festival
Fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with you to fulfill you marketing and activation needs.
Last year's WinterPRIDE 2013 Festival Guide for reference.
Visit

GayWhistler.com

for more information. Booking deadline is December 1st, 2013

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB SKIERS AND RIDERS PASSIONATE ADVOCATES OF RESORT

Key Strengths Of No. 1 Ranked Resort Include Friendliness Of Staff, Variety Of Trails And Sense Of On-Mountain Safety


WHISTLER, BC September 17, 2013 – As the mountains in North America receive their first
Photo by: Paul Morrison | Whistler, Canada
dustings of snow, Whistler Blackcomb is planning for the launch of two new chairlifts in December. While annual accolades from ski and snowboard magazines regularly position Whistler Blackcomb as one of the top ranked ski and snowboard destinations in the world, as the saying goes, “The customer knows best.”

Every winter thousands of skiers and riders are surveyed on the mountains to help Whistler Blackcomb assess their key strengths as well as their “Net Promoter Score (NPS).” This score determines a customer’s loyalty by asking how likely they are to recommend the resort, and to scale their answer from one to ten. With 87 per cent of Whistler Blackcomb’s customers rating the likelihood of a recommendation at either 9 or 10 out of 10, it is clear the resort has loyal customers that are passionate about everything the mountains have to offer.

“We see over two million skier visits every winter season,” says Dave Brownlie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Whistler Blackcomb. “We are the most visited ski resort in North America; that many skiers and riders can’t be wrong! Out of every metric we use to evaluate our success as a business, the NPS is one of the most important things we look at.”

RRC Associates is the third-party company that evaluates and reports the results of Whistler Blackcomb’s surveys. The data is gathered through intercept surveys where on-mountain guests are asked to evaluate the facilities, amenities, employee service, and overall aspects of their visit.

Besides sitting in one of the highest percentiles of NPS for ski resorts in North America, Whistler Blackcomb’s customers also recognized the following attributes as key strengths:
·         Friendliness of staff
·         Variety of trails
·         Overall ski and snowboard experience
·         Sense of on-mountain safety
·         Grooming
·         Snow conditions
·         Terrain park and halfpipe

“Whistler Blackcomb is constantly focused on improving every aspect of our business,” says Brownlie. “The $18 million capital expansion of the New Harmony 6 six-pack chairlift on Whistler and the new Crystal Ridge Express on Blackcomb opening this December are a testament to our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our guests year over year. However at the core of it all are our people. Every Whistler Blackcomb employee works together to exceed expectations, and when the results of our winter surveys tell us a story of success, we can’t be more proud of our team and the positive impressions they make on our guests’ experiences.”

Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to officially open on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Guests looking to book a vacation at Whistler Blackcomb for the 2013.2014 winter season can save up to 39 per cent by taking advantage of the Early Booking offer. Stay and ski/ride packages start from $97 per person, per night and are available until November 15, 2013. Visit whistlerblackcomb.com/lodgingdeals or call 1-866-787-1966.
About Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,174 centimetres (462 inches)  of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. 
Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Twitter: @WhistlerBlckcmb | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/whistlerblackcomb



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB EARLY BIRD SEASON PASSES ON SALE NOW

Save Up To $320 on Your Pass and Enjoy Endless Skiing and Riding for the 2013.2014 Season

WHISTLER, BC August 27, 2013 – Winter is just around the corner and Early Bird Season Passes for Whistler Blackcomb’s 2013.2014 ski and snowboard season are now on sale. Until October 14, 2013 guests will be able to receive up to $320 in savings on their 2013.2014 Season Pass. Unlimited Adult Seasons Passes are just $1,589 at the Early Bird price. A season pass offers the best value to guests looking to ski or ride at Whistler Blackcomb; allowing for freedom, flexibility, and exclusive Passholder perks, including 50 per cent off lift tickets at partner resorts in The Mountain Collective, as well as various discounts on Whistler Blackcomb products and services.
“It is going to be another very exciting year at Whistler Blackcomb with the opening of our two brand new chairlifts, the Crystal Ridge Express high-speed quad and the Harmony 6 Express high-speed six pack,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Whistler Blackcomb. “These new lifts will allow guests to get even more turns in at North America’s largest ski resort with better access to the terrain they love. An Unlimited Seasons Pass allows guests to make the most of every day of the season. Plus, the addition of 50 per cent off lift tickets at our partner resorts in The Mountain Collective is an incredible opportunity for our Passholders to experience some of North America’s other iconic ski areas.”
The Early Bird Unlimited Seniors (65-74) Season Pass is available for $849; Youth Unlimited Early Bird Season Pass (13-18) at $719 and an Unlimited Child (7-12) Season Pass is $439. Ten per cent discounts are available for families purchasing passes while children six and under ski free.
Season Passholder Perks Include:
·         50 per cent off lift tickets at The Mountain Collective Resorts – (Alta/Snowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows)
·         20 per cent off at select on-mountain food and beverage locations
·         Save up to 20 per cent at select Whistler Blackcomb retail and rental stores
·         $50 off select Snow School programs
·         2 for 1 Fresh Tracks Mountain-Top Breakfast tickets until December 23, 2013. Presented by the Globe and Mail
·         $100 off Whistler Heli-Skiing
·         Unlimited summer hiking access in 2014 with the PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience
·         Passholder Perks also include Tube Park discounts, lodging deals, monthly offers and more. Complete details at whistlerblackcomb.com/perks

Guests who purchase their Season Pass before October 14, 2013 can opt in for the following:
  • Purchase a Whistler Blackcomb Gift Card valued at $500 for only $399
  • Purchase three Bring-A-Friend lift tickets for only $179 (valued at $327)

Snow Advantage
Whistler Blackcomb is the consistently ranked No. 1 resort in North America receiving an annual average snowfall of 1,174cm or 38ft. Adding to Mother Nature’s bounty, Whistler Blackcomb also utilizes 235 snow guns to provide guests the best possible ski and snowboard experience from opening day in November through to the end of the winter ski season in May.
Early Bird Season Passes are on sale now until October 14, and can be purchased through www.whistlerblackcomb.com  or by calling 1-866-787-1966.  Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day for the 2013.2014 season is Thursday, November 28, 2013.

About Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,174 centimetres (462 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. 

About GayWhistler
GayWhistler (www.gaywhistler.com) is a year-round promoter of Whistler to the gay and lesbian community, and promotes and produces the annual Gay Ski Week - WinterPRIDE.  WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014 (new week - one week earlier than previous years) and has four key elements:  Sports, Culinary, Wellness and Entertainment.  WinterPRIDE has something for both the skier/snowboarder and the non-skier/boarder as well as programming for the Lesbians and Bears.  WinterPRIDE has been awarded as one of the best Gay Ski Weeks in the world by various editors and publications.  WinterPRIDE will be celebrating 22 years in 2014 with official civic status.  Aava Whistler is the official Host Hotel of WinterPRIDE

Event Tickets now on sale:  Visit http://www.gaywhistler.eventbrite.ca/
GayWhistler is a subsidiary of Alpenglow Production Corporation. 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

worldOutgames crowns Mr. Gay World 2013



25 Nations descended on the beautiful city of Antwerp, Belgium for the fifth annual Mr. Gay World competition hosted by the worldOutgames.  The Four day challenge combined Sports, Culture and Human Rights in the competition with various challenges including:  Sports challenged hosted by the Antwerp Police Academy.  
The delegates needed to work together in groups of five and complete various "rescue" missions pushing their physical fitness and mental capacities.  The winning team would move onto the final challenge which was an obstacle course with target shooting.  Mr. Aruba ended up winning this challenge.

The delegates also had to show their creative side by putting together an art exhibit depicting
LGBT life as they see it in their respective nations.  The Exhibit was called "Through Pink Glasses" and would remain on display throughout the worldOutgames as part of the Cultural celebration.  Mr. New Zealand ended up winning this challenge.

The delegates also had some one on one time with the panel of judges where they had an opportunity to express why they wanted to be the next Mr. Gay World and why they were most qualified for the job.  The judges also were given the chance to ask follow up questions and dig a bit deeper to see who would be best qualified for the job.  Mr.
New Zealand ended up winning the panel interview round.

Next the delegates needed to show how they could hold their own in a variety of run way challenges including Best National Costume.  Each nation had to come up with a costume that best depicted their national identity.  Mr. New Zealand won this challenge with his ballet inspired Maori Warrior look and went on to win
best in swimsuit.   Mexico won best photogenic and Formal Wear.  Mr. Philippines demonstrated his social media prowess and won the GuySpy People's Choice Award, and Canada went out of his way looking after fellow delegates winning Mr. Congeniality.   

In the end the esteem panel of seven judges from six nations of Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Belgium, Philippines, and Canada choose Mr. Gay New Zealand - Chris Olwage the new reining Mr. Gay World 2013.

Chris won some fantastic prizes including a 3,000 euro diamond necklace, weekend in Queenstown, NZ for Queenstown Gay Ski Week, One week in Whistler for WinterPRIDE, one week Southern Caribbean Cruise courtesy of AmazingCruises.eu, one week in South Africa for Pink Loerie, photo book by Spartacus, eyewear by Binoche, swimwear, underwear and T's by Bjorn Borg and a ring by AMICI Pink.

Mr. Gay World 2014 will take place during the GayVillage in Rome, Italy late August 2014.  For more information please visit mrgayworld.org  Casting for Mr. Gay Canada 2014 is now underway.  For more information visit mrgaycanada.ca
MGW13 Program Guide: 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

International coalition of Pride Houses Sochi 2014 Response

International coalition of LGBT sport and human rights organizations call for International Olympic Committee to host Sochi Pride House
Group rules out call to boycott Sochi Olympics in favor of concerted action for visibility and long-term change


31 July 2013

A broad group of international organizations and activists, including the largest international LGBT sports organizations, have begun a concerted effort to respond to a rising official and unofficial homophobia in Russia, and to call on the International Olympic Committee and other sports governing bodies to accept responsibility for the choice of hosts of the events they sanction. Among their first demands is that the IOC host a Pride House in Sochi during the 2014 Winter Olympics. (see below the letter sent today to Jacques Rogge)

The sports leaders and activists, working closely with the Russian LGBT Sports Federation, reject calls for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Lou Englefield (Manchester), director of Pride Sports UK and coordinator of the group, said: “We believe in action that is concrete and goals that are attainable. We also believe in listening to our partners in Russia who tell us they don’t want a boycott. Athletes should not bear the burden of Putin's homophobic regime and what is in effect the complicity of the IOC. A boycott punishes hard working athletes rather than challenging repression and those sports organisations which knowingly choose hosts that fail to respect the human rights proclaimed in their own charters.”

Marc Naimark (Paris) of the Federation of Gay Games stated: “We are heartened by the IOC's recent declaration that they have received assurances from Russian authorities that the shameful homophobic laws will not be enforced in Sochi. While this is of little solace to the hundreds of thousands of LGBT Russians who will continue to suffer under repressive local and national laws, it should offer some relief to the foreign athletes competing in Sochi. The IOC does not speak of the officials, press, support staff or visitors, for whom the same protections are needed. And we remain skeptical as to the reality of these guarantees, all the more so following declarations of Russian politicians that the laws would indeed be enforced. We challenge the IOC to demonstrate its good faith by hosting under its aegis a Pride House in Sochi, open to all, athletes and visitors, gay and straight, Russian and foreign. If the IOC truly believes the assurances of Russian authorities, then the IOC should be able to override the existing ban on a Sochi Pride House and offer a venue for all to meet safely and with freedom of expression.”

David McFarland (Los Angeles) of United for Equality in Sports and Entertainment added: “Even if there is a Pride House, this does not mean that Sochi should be business as usual. Members of Pride House International have in the past called on LGBT athletes to be visible, and the homophobic laws mean that this call is more imperative than ever for the 2014 Olympics. We know that LGBT athletes are not alone in being revolted by these laws and the behavior of Russian authorities. We are planning actions to support visibility of opposition to Russian homophobia and to support the noble principle of sport for all enshrined in the Olympic Charter.”

Dean Nelson (Vancouver), founder of the first Pride House at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver/Whistler spoke of the need to continue the process of true respect for the Olympic principle of sport for all: "Over the past four years since the 2010 Games, many sporting bodies have made tremendous headway in creating safer environments for our athletes and support staff to participate and focus on sport. No government, no politicians, can be allowed to turn back the clock. We all must defend our athletes, coaches and trainers to ensure they are able to participate free from discrimination of any sort including sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity."

Stephen Frost (London), former head of diversity and inclusion for LOCOG, the host committee for the 2012 Summer Olympics, stated: “We need to continue building long-term systemic change in the policy of sports governing bodies, starting with the most important of all, the International Olympic Committee. The IOC has made great strides to support inclusion in sport, but has only recently specified that sexual orientation discrimination is indeed unacceptable.  A remaining tool at their disposal is to include sexual orientation alongside ethnicity and gender as protected under the Olympic Charter.   This is something the Paralympic movement has already done”

Lou Englefield concluded: “Our letter to Jacques Rogge is just the first step in action on Sochi. We will be soon announcing other aspects of our campaign, including action that each and every person attending the Sochi Olympics can take part in to show the Russian authorities that their homophobic laws are unacceptable, and to show the IOC that it cannot choose hosts that flout the most basic human rights of freedom of expression and assembly.”

Current signatories to this statement (more to follow at pridehouseinternational.org or pridehouseinternational.wordpress.com):

Armelle Mazé and Klaus Heusslein, European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation
armelle@eglsf.info, klaus@eglsf.info

Euan Platt, LEAP Sports Scotland, Pride House Glasgow 2014
euan@leapsports.org

Emy Ritt and Marc Naimark, Federation of Gay Games
emy.ritt@gaygames.net, marc.naimark@gaygames.net

Lou Englefield, Pride Sports UK, Pride House London 2012
lou@pridesports.co.uk

Stephen Frost, former director of diversity and inclusion, LOCOG
frostincluded@gmail.com

Dean Nelson, founder of Pride House 2010
dean@gaywhistler.com

David McFarland, United for Equality in Sports and Entertainment
david@uese.org

---

About Pride House International
Pride House International is a coalition of LGBT sport and human rights groups, including participants in past and future Pride Houses, united to promote the cause of equality in and by sport and the creation of Pride Houses at international sporting events.

What is a Pride House?
A Pride House is a venue welcoming LGBT athletes, fans, and others and their allies during international sporting events. Akin to the various national houses at such events, they are welcoming places to view the competitions, to enjoy the event, to learn about LGBT sport and homophobia in sport, and to build relations with mainstream sport. The first Pride House was organized for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver/Whistler, with others following in Warsaw (2012 UEFA Euro football cup) and London (2012 Summer Olympics). Pride Houses are planned for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

---

Letter to Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee

Dear Dr Rogge,

I am writing on behalf of the growing number of individuals and organizations from around the world represented in the Pride House International coalition. Our goal is to promote equality in sport, to fight discrimination in and by sport, and in particular to ensure the safety and visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes, In particular, we aim to build on the success of past Games through the organisation of Pride Houses at international sporting events to increase exchanges between mainstream and LGBT sport and promote the principle of sport for all, and ultimately greater participation in the Olympic movement.

Among our concerns is the choice of host countries made by the IOC and other sport governing bodies, and especially your choice of Sochi as host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Various members of our coalition have written to you on numerous occasions on this issue, with no response. Indeed, until recently, your only response on this issue, for example the refusal of Russian authorities to authorise a Pride House in Sochi, has been to declare that this is a matter of local law over which you have no authority.

We are therefore somewhat heartened by your recent declaration to RIA Novosti news agency that you would guarantee the safety of athletes and spectators (and others, we hope) identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, in Sochi. But even more recently, a Russian legislator involved in the St Petersburg version of the law has declared that there is no reason federal law would not be enforced for all during the Sochi Olympics, raising doubt about these assurances.

Like you, we hope that no one involved in any way with the 2014 Games will have cause to fear the federal legislation. One way for you to demonstrate this is by hosting a Pride House in Sochi under the aegis of the International Olympic Committee and, to ensure everyone’s safety there, by having one or more members of the IOC present at all times. Our members are at your disposition to make this a reality and are keen to work in partnership with you.

Given the urgency of this matter, I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this with you as soon as possible and eagerly await your response.

---

For information about the Federation of Gay Games, visit www.gaygames.org.
The ninth edition of the quadrennial Gay Games will be held in Cleveland + Akron, OH 9-16 August , 2014. For information about Gay Games 9, Cleveland 2014, visit www.gg9cle.com.
About the Gay Games
Built upon the principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best, since 1982 the Gay Games have empowered thousands of LGBT athletes and artists through sport, culture, and fellowship.
About The Federation of Gay Games
The international Federation of Gay Games is the governing body  the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best”™. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986 - 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990 - 7,300 participants), New York (1994 - 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998 - 13,000 participants), Sydney (2002 - 11,000 participants), Chicago (2006 - 11,700 participants), and Cologne, (2010 – 10,000 participants). Gay Games 9 will be held in Cleveland + Akron, OH, USA 9-16 August 2014. Visit www.gg9cle.com for more information.
“Gay Games”, “Federation of Gay Games”, the interlocking circles device, and the phrase “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best” are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trademarks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, Germany, and Australia.
###
Contact:
Lou Englefield, coordinator (Manchester)
+44 7949 604610
pridehouseinternational@gmail.com

Marc Naimark (Paris)
+33 6 63 02 03 68

David McFarland (Los Angeles)
+1 (323) 850-0079 or+1 (323) 829-0788

pridehouseinternational.org
provisional URL: pridehouseinternational.wordpress.com