More
gays are emerging from winter hibernation to head for some of the most famous mountain
retreats for increasingly popular gay ski weeks. Today the snow-mosexual is
more visible than ever with the rainbow flag adding that missing speck of
colour.
Close
to home, Arosa Gay Ski Week was established in 2005 and has become an event for
people wanting that all gay winter experience. What better place to play host
than the Swiss Alps in January. Arrive to 2000 metres above ground to
experience an average of three-feet of snow, excellent weather (often clear
blue skies) and a huge expanse of slopes for the inexperienced and professional
skier.
While
still in its infancy, Arosa attractss over 350 gay guys and girls from across Europe
to enjoy a lively schedule for a mix bag. Small compared to the thousands that
attend the infamous Gay Whistler in Vancouver, yet the friendly and intimate
group delivers a more personal experience.
The
Ski Week Team welcomed us with a warm furore, forming like-minded ski groups helping
to break the ice (so to speak). There are certainly a lot of gay couples,
however for a lone traveller there’s singles dinner tables, just to put you in
your place.
Après-Ski
at Kursaalwas was the perfect way to unwind. Its lounge room with huge leather
sofas, open-fire place, and floor-ceiling windows with a mountain backdrop is
warm and intimate. While in the bar the music blared to classic cheese pop
disco providing a great way to relax the muscles after a couple of Swiss biers.
Wednesday
the Swiss Chesse Fondue evening by candlelight and night-time ride on the
gondola to Tschuggen plus some sledging fun too. Thursday’s Splash Pool Party
was a relatively sedate affair, a large whirlpool, Jacuzzi, and dance room – the
room so well heated the best way to cool down was in the warm salty water. Friday’s
Avalanche Party with Ibiza’s Sandra Love was a night of classic gaydar dance
music until 4am.
The
Drag Race on the Saturday afternoon ended the weeks skiing with contestants certainly
putting their heart into their costumes. Flamenco snowboarders, Birds of
paradise and sexy serenading skiers gracefully descended the slope, challenged
to blow-up balloons in the bitter cold before downing an alcoholic shot – all of
which had to be completed in good time with excellent poise and style.
The
final fling for the week was The Snow White Party with most dressed head-toe in
white. Exhausted bodies with wiped-out faces begrudgingly sipped on their last
beers, tapping their failing legs to the rhythms of house before crawling home
early.
Arosa
Gay Ski week; romantic natural Swiss Alps landscape, littered with cosy log
cabins and traditional chalets, accompanied by an incredibly laid-back and
social atmosphere. This event is easily rated 8/10.
Downpoints:
Arosa
has a limited number of restaurants many of which stop serving by 9.30pm, not
ideal for events that don’t get going until 11pm.
Switzerland
is expensive, beers will set you back FR6 (equivalent to £4) while a vodka
lemon will set you back FR15. An average meal is about FR26.
Getting there:
Flights
from Heather / London City Airport by SwissAir / British Airways to Zurich
Train
from Zurich Airport – Zurich Central – Chur – Arosa, three changes and takes
approximately 3 hours.
Arosa
town is easily walkable.
Arosa
Gay Ski Week Gold Pass CHF200
Arosa
Ski Lift Pass: CHF242 (6 days)
Other Gay ski weeks around
the world.
SWING – Swiss
Gay Skiing and Snowboarding Week, Lenzerheide, 3 – 10 March 2012: http://www.swing-on.ch/
Winter Gay
Pride event – GayWhistler, British Columbia, Canada, 5 – 12 February 2012: http://gaywhistler.com/
Bariloche Gay
Ski Week, Argentina, 9 – 15 September: http://www.barilochegaytravel.com/index.php/en/bariloche-gay-ski-2010
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