Story, video, and photo by Kyra Thomson.
With 38 lifts, a vertical mile from base to peak, over 200 runs, and 8,100 skiable acres covering Whistler Blackcomb, it was difficult to decide where to start our first day on the slopes.
Since we were there for WinterPRIDE, I suggested attempting the runs with the gayest names such as cockalorum, in-deep, bear cub, or gandy dancer. My sensible wife Sam suggested a beginner's run. We compromised by starting on the green run Yellow Brick Road.
Besides exceptional powder, my favorite thing about snowboarding Whistler Blackcomb is that there's an easy route down no matter which lift you take. I was especially grateful for this when we reached the mountaintop, the sun came out, and I could experience advanced black diamond views safely from beginner terrain.
Ideally we'd never leave the slopes, but we didn't want to miss today's après-ski at the Maxx Fish lounge and tonight's Melissa Ferrick concert. That dining, wining, and dancing at last nights WinterPRIDE Banquet -- a fundraiser for Camp Moomba, a summer camp for kids affected by HIV/AIDS -- seemed to decrease today's boarding stamina anyway. Obviously we lack the athleticism of the banquet's Zumanity-Cirque du Soleil performers.
Our banquet table of fabulous lesbians from Seattle were amazed by the performers’ strength, while the hundreds of men surrounding us seemed mesmerized by their flawless bodies in tight Speedos. It was indeed a celebration of diversity.
Click below to check out the mountaintop video we made!
