This article was published on November 7th, 2019
Queer people, if you haven’t taken in enough Pride events this year, you have one more chance to get in one final Pride event of the year! Over the past three years, Peak Pride has become one of the fastest expanding Pride events in North America. Peak Pride is a gay Pride celebration weekend hosted at world-class ski resorts in the interior of British Columbia. It started out in April 2017 at Big White Ski Resort, located near Kelowna, and in 2019 expanded to Peak Pride Sun Peaks in March 2019. The popular winter Pride weekend festival series will close out 2019 as the last Pride event in North America, with the inaugural Peak Pride SilverStar.
Kicking off the beginning of the 2019-2020 ski season, Peak Pride SilverStar will be hosted December 6-8, 2019. It marks both the first Pride event of the 2019-2020 ski season in North America, and also the final Pride event of 2019 in North America!
SilverStar Mountain Resort is located just 22 kilometers from Vernon, BC, in the North Okanagan. There are over 3,200 acres of skiable terrain to explore, ranging from wide-open green runs, perfectly groomed blue cruises, black and double-black diamond runs and chutes, to the adventurous moguls, glades, halfpipe, and terrain park. The colourful, picture-perfect Victorian-themed mid-mountain village has charming ski-to/ski-from accommodation, restaurants, pubs, and boutique shopping.
SilverStar Mountain Resort also offers sleigh rides, snowmobiling, outdoor ice skating, snow tubing, and spa treatments. If all else fails, simply grab a book, a bottle of wine, and a blanket and curl up by the fireplace, or sit outside in a hot tub enjoying the snow and fresh mountain air.
The beauty of Peak Pride is that it is a smaller event and it is hosted at some of the best rated ski resorts in North America. This means that people coming to Peak Pride will enjoy epic ski and snowboarding conditions the Thompson Okanagan region is known for around the world, but also have the opportunity to meet, hang out, and enjoy the planned activities with the other Peak Pride attendees. The event brings people together and features local queer talent throughout the weekend. There are inclusive events and activities for everyone, on and off the snow.
What makes the inaugural Peak Pride SilverStar so unique is that the entire line-up of events are free to attend! There are no tickets to pre-purchase, no cover fees at the door, and everyone is encouraged to come out, dress up, and have fun!
Here is a look at the events planned for Peak Pride SilverStar:
Friday, December 6:
7:00pm | Red Antler: A documentary film featuring LGBTQ+ professional athletes.
8:30pm | Red Antler: Mingle, dance, and meet new friends. This theme-night will feature a local DJ and surprise appearances by local drag queens.
Saturday, December 7:
2:30pm | Milky Way: A ski and snowboard parade will make its way down Milky Way into the village. Bring your Pride flags and dress up in colourful costumes. Valid lift ticket is required to participate in the ski/snowboard parade. There will be an opportunity for pedestrians to join the parade prior to its arrival into the village centre. There will be a commemorative group photo in the village.
3:00pm | Den Bar and Bistro: The après ski meet-up.
8:00pm | Den Bar and Bistro: Dance the night away at the Peak Pride wipeOUT party. The self-proclaimed ‘Khaleesi of the actual sea’, rightful heir to Poseidon’s throne, and other maritime titles, Freida Whales will perform two fabulous drag numbers, followed by Ella Lamoureux who will bring her quintessential brand of charisma to the stage with two numbers that will dazzle, daze, and deliver for the audience!
Sunday, December 8:
10:00am | TBD: The ‘I’m Never Drinking Again’ brunch. The perfect place and time to say final goodbyes and send well wishes to those at the end of the festival.
Wrap up the 2019 Pride season and start the 2019-2020 ski season with one of the coolest Pride events—Peak Pride SilverStar. Stay up up-to-date, book your accommodation, arrange your lift tickets, and learn more by visiting the Peak Pride website, and indicate if you are coming by joining the Peak Pride SilverStar Facebook event page.
See you on the slopes!
