September 4, 2008

Gay Ski Week New Zealand Kicks Off

Megan Smith READ TIME: 2 MIN.

Now in its sixth year, New Zealand's biggest gay and lesbian alpine party kicked off its 2008 extravaganza in style last weekend with new sponsor '26,000 Vodka' on board.

Festival organiser Mike Sanford says Gay Ski Week NZ is delighted to welcome the Nelson-based premium handcrafted New Zealand grain vodka company to the family of sponsors.

"26,000 Vodka is a great fit with Gay Ski Week NZ and we're thrilled to have them as our vodka of choice," he said.

"Everyone's primed and raring to go for a great week of on and off mountain festivities, starting on Saturday night and continuing all week long at the Pink Palace, Queenstown's award winning fusion restaurant, Threesixty."

Mr Sanford added that those keen to get up the mountain will be spoilt for choice with recent snowfalls providing fantastic conditions.

"Coronet Peak's $30 million developments mean skiers and boarders will have first class facilities, Armani snow and more skiable terrain than ever before this year while freestylers will love showing their tricks in The Stash at The Remarkables, only the third terrain park of its kind in the world.

"For those not so serious about snow they can always try out some new positions at the snowtubing park at The Remarkables."

Skiers and boarders will leave from base hotel Crowne Plaza Queenstown and be transported to and from the ski field of the day on the Pink Bus.

Other events on offer include:

  • Four ski days around the Queenstown region, including Picnic on the Peak on Coronet Peak's massive new deck with a glass (or glasses!) of pink bubbly and shots of vodka

  • Downhill Dash for Cash

  • Magazine Lake Cruise and Dinner at Walter Peak aboard the famous TSS Earnslaw steamboat

  • QUEENStown's Got Talent karaoke at SKYCITY QUEENStown Casino, featuring special host drag artist Miss Kitty Glitter direct from Sydney

  • The Dyke Hike

  • A retro fancy dress bowls evening

  • A Central Otago wine tour

  • Nightly apr?s ski at Threesixty bar and restaurant, with top local DJs spinning cool tunes

  • The Ski Bum Party at Queenstown's new Yacht Club bar

    The WHITE OUT Dance Party, Queenstown's biggest gay and lesbian gig and a must-do New Zealand's party circuit calendar, is set to be a 2008 highlight with special guest DJs Miss Kitty Glitter and Dan Murphy from Sydney performing back to back.

    Mr Sanford said that Queenstown locals are also joining in the fun.

    "It's great to see more and more local people getting into the spirit and coming along to events, particularly the Karaoke night. Together with local businesses and our family of sponsors, the support from Queenstowners is the key to the festival's success.

    "From a tourism point of view, the Queenstown gay market is untapped - it has huge potential for growth and has been less affected by the world financial crisis."

    For a full programme of events visit www.gayskiweeknz.com.

    by Megan Smith , EDGE Assistant Travel Editor

    Megan is the Assistant Travel Editor for EDGE Publications. Based in Australia, she has been published in gay and lesbian publications in both America and Australia, and she has been on assignment as a travel-writer for Let's Go travel guides in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.

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