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First-ever Mr. Gay World to be crowned at Whistler's 17th
Annual Gay Ski Week
Whistler, B.C. (Jan. 19/09) - Already a unique celebration
of diversity and inclusiveness, Whistler's WinterPRIDE, taking place from
February 1-8, is even more special this year, bringing with it the first-ever Mr. Gay World competition.
This
year marks the 17th year of Whistler's Gay Ski Week - an event now
considered one of the largest and most-renowned gay ski weeks in the world,
attracting thousands of attendees to the resort each year. Since 2007,
Whistler's Gay Ski Week has been known as WinterPRIDE and is produced by
GayWhistler, which also operates GayWhistler.com, a year-round resource for gay
and lesbian travellers to Whistler.
As WinterPRIDE continues its evolution, this year marks a
significant development with the inclusion of the first-ever Mr. Gay World
competition. The Mr. Gay World Grand Finale on February 7 marks the conclusion
of an international search involving 1,500 men from across 40 nations,
culminating in the selection of one winner among 24 finalists. The eight-day
festival features more than 70 events, including skiing and winter sports,
culinary workshops, health and wellness seminars, après ski events, themed
parties and dances.
"GayWhistler
is very honoured to be chosen to host the Mr. Gay World Grand Finale during our
annual festival," said Dean Nelson, CEO of Alpenglow Productions/ GayWhistler.
"We feel that having this global competition in Whistler during WinterPRIDE
brings a totally new level of excitement as we welcome many new faces to
experience this gorgeous mountain destination. For competitors from some
countries, it will be the first time they've ever seen snow," Nelson said. "I
am so proud of the community of Whistler, which embraces diversity and the
value of being authentic. I cannot think of a better place to crown Mr. Gay
World."
The winner of the Mr. Gay World competition will demonstrate - through
leadership, charisma and intelligence - the ability to act as a positive role
model, ambassador and spokesperson for the global cause of equality, respect
and understanding.
Eric
Butter, Chairman of Mr. Gay World, echoed Nelson's sentiment. "I had the privilege
of being a judge for the Mr. Gay Canada competition that was held in Whistler
in September of 2008," Butter said. "I was impressed with how welcoming
Whistler was and how well the competition ran. I knew that Mr. Gay World had to
come here. It is a very unique and special place that will help inspire our
delegates around the world."
The
theme of this year's WinterPRIDE, organized by GayWhistler, is Around the World
in Eight Days, with many events themed after various countries including New Zealand, Brazil
and England.
Event participants can take
advantage of the legendary Travelocity Never Roam Alone ski guiding program
with volunteer ski and snowboard guides on hand to lead guests on Whistler and
Blackcomb mountains. WinterPRIDE brings international talent to the resort with
DJs from all over the world on hand to get the party started with daily après
ski events and late-night parties.
Highlights
of this year's festivities include the MountainTOP Party at the Roundhouse on
February 6, and the Mr. Gay World Grand Finale at The Westin Resort & Spa
Whistler on February 7, followed by the Snowball at the TELUS Whistler
Conference Centre.
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About Whistler
Whistler is Canada's
premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast
Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada.
Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America for the past 12 years in
a row, Whistler is the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games and site for more than half of the Olympic events and over 90per cent of the Paralympic events. The
resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totaling 10,000 bedrooms
among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler
also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and
countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and
snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and
watersports. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse
community of more than 9,000 permanent residents.
Tourism
Whistler is the
member-based marketing and sales organization representing Whistler, operating
the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre, the Whistler Golf Club, the Whistler
Visitor Centre and tourismwhistler.com, as well as 1.800.WHISTLER and
whistler.com - Whistler's official source for visitor bookings and information.
As the convention and visitors bureau for the Resort
Municipality of Whistler, Tourism Whistler represents more
than 7,000 members who own, manage
and operate properties or businesses on resort lands including hotels,
restaurants, activity operators and retail shops.
For winter packages and accommodation options, visit www.whistler.com or call 1.800.WHISTLER.
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About Alpenglow Productions/GayWhistler
GayWhistler is a
year-round promoter of Whistler to the gay and lesbian community, and promotes
and produces the annual WinterPRIDE event. GayWhistler is a subsidiary of
Alpenglow Production Corporation, a gay and lesbian travel and event company
that creates gay-welcoming destinations and events at locations across North America.
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Alpenglow Productions/GayWhistler
Dean Nelson
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Tourism Whistler
Vanessa Murphy
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GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE Sponsors:
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