Gays in the snow

Fresh seafood lands at Aspen’s airport many times a week, and Clark’s Oyster Bar serves it up nearly still swimming. For more low-key events, attendees may opt to take a historical walking tour, a gay horse-drawn sleigh ride followed by a ranch-to-table Spanish Basque-style dinner prepared by Chef Graeme Charles.

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Winter PrideFest, March 2-4, 2024 (Bend, Oregon, USA)

Nonprofit OUT Central Oregon established the annual Winter PrideFest to promote inclusivity and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community in rural areas like Bend.

European Snow Pride is quality choice for serious skiers and partygoers alike, as the resort spans 300 kilometres of ski runs, across the Val d’Isere and Tignes ski areas, offering an impressive line-up of Après-Ski DJs, artists and dancers from Europe’s best gay clubs, in amongst the most extraordinary mountain scenery. “The scenery is unmatched and the base of the resort goes right down into town, which makes for great accessibility and aprés ski options.

The Lodge lies 3 miles from town and 6 miles from the slopes, surrounded by lakes and wilderness. Situated smack in the middle of the village, The Crystal Lodge, with a fitness area and sauna, is an excellent choice for families or larger groups, offering one- to three-bedroom suites.

Where to Dine and Après-Ski:

For fine dining, The Wildflower at the Fairmont has a yummy breakfast menu with a pick-your-benedict corner and a broad selection of locally sourced meat and seafood dishes, pastas, and salads.

In Snowmass, the long-standing and always welcoming lunch and dinner haunt is The Stew Pot, which boasts a new upstairs bar.

One of the classiest joints in town, you can’t beat a potent, handmade cocktail or multi-course dinner at Aspen’s Michelin-recommended Element 47 at The Little Nell.

For creative cocktails and comforting Tex-Mex, Mi Chola in Aspen is your spot.

As the maritime climate brings a mixed bag, Whistler/Blackcomb’s ridiculous mass of terrain–8,000-plus skiable acres–delivers a bounty for every level of skier. True that Telluride is as land-locked as a destination can be, Kazahana’s sushi is surprisingly fresh and delicious. Surrounded by lakes and wilderness, there’s live music nearly every weekend at the onsite Lakefront Restaurant, and miles of cross-country skiing are accessible outside your door.

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

If you have kept up to date with my travels you will see that Gran Canaria keeps me coming back for more and more each year. In addition to its fantastic blue and green runs and massive terrain park, Buttermilk can also be a secret place to ski fresh lines all day after a storm off of the Tiehack chair.

It is one of the many pride events that Gran Canaria hosts every year making it one of the top gay destinations in Europe.

For more on Gran Canaria Winter Pride:

1. Nose Dive, which starts steep and mellows out, is one of the longest cruisers in the region. While most people do groomer laps on windy days, I prefer wind buff on Chair 5 – the Face, Triangle and Sliver.”

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The place prides itself on its expansive local beer selection and wine list. With its framed sports jerseys and dated dining setup, the unassuming, in-town haunt produces some of Colorado’s tastiest pies. Hang out with other outdoor enthusiasts and other skiers at these exciting Gay Ski Weeks!

Winter is usually that time of year when LGBTQ+ travelers are looking for a beach getaway – like Florida or the Caribbean – to escape the chilly winter weather.

For upscale bites (including fresh oysters) and creative cocktails, The Timber Room is within stumbling distance to/from the free gondola. Affordable and cozy with an indoor heated pool, hot tubs, and lively sports bar next door, the Inn runs a free shuttle to/from the slopes. Madrid, Spain

I had never thought about spending winter in mainland Spain until I spent 7 months living in, and falling in love with, the beautiful city of Madrid.

During winter in Madrid, I had friends come out and visit me twice and had the best time exploring the Christmas markets in Plaza Major, going shopping (especially the many gay shops), going to all the best tapas places and of course heading to all the gay bars and clubs in Chueca.

Madrid is probably the most inclusive and welcoming gay travel destination I know, whether you visit in summer or winter you are guaranteed to have an amazing time.

For more on Madrid:

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Also a contributor to publications such as The New York Times, National Geographic, and Thrillist, she strives to highlight her subject’s unseen color and untold angle. As well as skiing and snowboarding on open terrain, other activities include ice skating, snowmobiling and snowshoeing, topped off during the month of August when the international LGBT community descends for Gay Ski Week Queenstown at Cardrona Alpine Resort.