Whistler Pride will be celebrating their 24th go in 2016 – the longest running festival in Whistler! Out of the 3,000 people attending, 75 per cent return every year, hailing from 26 countries. Since there are no gay bars in Whistler, Whistler Pride plans events in gay friendly establishments. Each night offers multiple events, so if you are not interested in one, another might be better. There are about 65 events taking place across the eight days, some specific for lesbians, bears, otters, circuit boys or cowboys. Unlike a lot of the other Prides I get a chance to attend, Whistler Pride is attended by 85 per cent males. Usually they are split pretty even or, at smaller Prides that are just starting to grow, like Red Deer and Banff, there are a lot more women than men.

Rob and I can only attend three nights so we miss a number of the events that happen days before we arrive. This upcoming Pride, on Monday night, is a Long John Party! Expect to see guys in flannel underwear, or something else.

On Tuesday night, openly gay country singer Patrick Masse is performing at the Cowboy Party. Watch for the upcoming interview we are doing with him. Headline act is happening Wednesday night, and it is the most expensive night of the week. It is not every Pride you can see Bianca Del Rio, Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine and Varla Jean Merman in Oh Snow She Didn’t so, regardless of the price, it will be worth it. These talented queens will put on an amazing two hour show. In 2015, Whistler Pride had Margarete Cho; we heard she had the crowd laughing so hard that they just about ended up on the floor.

Thursday night is the legendary Splash Pool Party with DJ Del Stamp. Whistler Pride takes over the public pool at Meadow Park Sports Centre. I wish other Prides we sponsor could do this event as well. In the past they had DJ Nick Bertossi and DJ Pornstar DJing the event. The event is pretty much 99 per cent men, and such a large amount of guys attend that the women’s locker room is taken over. The pool is indoors, with a large hot tub and sauna, and bartenders serving drinks. On the ski slopes, most of these guys are all covered up in winter gear, so the pool party gives them the chance to show off.

Another favourite for guys is Friday night’s event "Furrocious". Guys dress up in their favourite uniforms: sports, farmer, leather, police, army and more. On the same night, for women, there is "Purrlesque", with local DJ Foxy Moron and special performances by burlesque performer April O’Peel. Plus, at another bar, there is the White Out Party with DJs Mr. Cox and Sollors. Dress up in all white for this full circuit party event with new lights and sound, and sexy go-go dancers.

The Whistler Pride Parade is not like what you usually see. Skiers come down Whistler Mountain from about mid point with a really long pride flag and other skiers holding regular flags. It happens pretty quickly so, if you want to watch, be ready. Once they are at the base, they will pose for photos then walk through the street holding the flag to the Olympic rings. You don’t see things like floats or non-profit groups walking with banners and such; just something that brings everyone together from the whole LGBTQ community to celebrate.

Saturday night starts with Snow Belles, which is the Pre-Snowball Party with DJ Kit Kat. People will slowly make their way over to Snowball with headliner DJ Yinon Yahel from Israel, opening DJ Bret Law (Seattle), and a performance by Flava. Flava is a bold, awe-inspiring and mind-boggling original, and brings a completely unique style of live performance to the party world. This is the biggest dance for Whistler Pride with amazing lights, a huge room, packed dance floor, more shirtless hot guys and more! Snowball lasts until 4am, so if you enjoy partying at the dance that late or continue the party in your hotel room, make sure you have arranged either late checkout or and additional night’s stay.

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Contributor Steve Polyak |

Locale British Columbia | Whistler |

Topic Gay Pride | Most Read Articles in 2016 | Ski and Snowboard | Travel | Whistler Pride |

Photo Gallery Travel | Whistler |