Everything for adventure-seeking gays and lesbians
Located just a two hours’ drive north of Vancouver, British Columbia lies Whistler, the award-winning mountain resort community offering everything for adventure-seeking gays and lesbians.
Whistler’s scenery will leave you speechless: towering, snow-capped mountain peaks, evergreen forests, sparkling lakes and a sophisticated alpine village with all the trimmings of a vibrant urban centre: shopping, cafés, restaurants, and bars.
Related: Exploring Vancouver
Summers in Whistler
If you’re hungry for serious recreation, take your pick: bungee jumping, zip trekking, hiking, river rafting, or mountain biking. At the end of the day, Whistler’s many innovative spas offer the best in treatments for your tired muscles.
Join the suntanned locals lounging on the sandy beaches; suit up with the rugged armour-fit riders in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park; take it easy and relax at the cafés; embark on a hiking adventure along forest trails and ascend to alpine vistas. The sky is the limit when it comes to Whistler summers.
Whistler by Winter
And in the winter, when snow blankets the mountains and the valley, skiers and snowboarders eagerly jump at the opportunity to carve through high alpine bowls or seek out perfectly groomed runs. Slow it down a notch and enjoy the serenity of gliding effortlessly on skinny skis. Or strap on snowshoes and romp through pristine snowfields.
Whatever your Whistler day holds, don’t miss out on the après scene. Drinks, food, friends, tall tales – it’s a must-do.
Whistler is a resort town of only 10,000 permanent residents and doesn’t have any specific gay establishments – at least, not yet. However, on any given day in peak tourist season that number can swell to 50,000 and everyone is here to have fun. Tommy Africa’s nightclub is best known for its friendly and progressively urban atmosphere where top DJs spin fun electronic tracks, Buffalo Bill’s and Garfinkel’s are Ski Week favorites, while Summit Lodge is your best gay-friendly accommodation option in town.
Other great gay friendly hotels are Aava Whistler Hotel (host hotel for GayWhistler’s Pride and Ski Festival), Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Pan Pacific Mountainside and Adara Hotel.
Festival and Events
Year-round, Whistler’s festival calendar is over-flowing with music and arts events, live theatre productions, sports competitions and holiday festivals. Topping gays’ and lesbians’ calendars is February’s annual Pride and Ski Festival. Guided ski tours, après ski events, martini parties, live music, dancing till dawn and loads of fun are all set against Whistler’s spectacular backdrop.