From Altitude to Pride: A Shared Winter Story in Whistler
From Altitude to Pride: A Shared Winter Story in Whistler
Whistler is turning the page again. In 2026, a reimagined Whistler Pride Festival launches January 25 to February 1, marking a new chapter for winter Pride in the mountains. While this newly structured event represents a clear reset, it honours a story that began quietly more than thirty years ago,. It was 1992 when a small group led by promoter Brent Benaschak and Out on the Slopes launched Altitude Gay Ski Week with a simple goal: to bring queer people together on the snow.
A Festival That Grew Season by Season
Word spread quickly. Through the 1990s and beyond, the event built its reputation season by season, adding charity races and parties that established Whistler as a premier destination for 2SLGBTQiA+ winter travellers,. Despite a brief pause in 2006, the sense of community kept people coming back, creating a legacy of welcoming skiing and nightlife that continues today.
A New Chapter for Winter Pride
Under the strategic oversight of Tourism Whistler, the destination undertook a thoughtful process to shape the next era of Pride celebrations, partnering with TFD Presents, a team with more than 20 years of experience. To ensure a truly diverse celebration, TFD Presents and Tourism Whistler have invited multiple events and promoters from across Canada to come together to create a new Whistler Pride Festival experience that is fully inclusive. This collaborative approach brings a community of people together to shape the festival, building on three decades of history while expanding the vision of what Pride can look like in a mountain destination,.
“Whistler has a long and proud history of being welcoming and inclusive to all, and we are looking forward to ushering in a new era of Pride celebrations in the resort,” said Tory Kargl, Vice President of Destination & Market Development at Tourism Whistler, in a Tourism Whistler announcement. “This is a transition year as we establish a new vision, while continuing a beloved tradition that means so much to our community and our guests.”
Keeping the Heart of Pride on the Mountain
That balance between past and future is intentional. The festival may be reimagined, but it still retains its heart: daily guided ski and snowboard groups led by friendly volunteer guides, absolutely free to join for anyone with a valid lift ticket. Long considered the social core of the week, these guided sessions remain one of the easiest ways to meet other participants while exploring Whistler Blackcomb together, whether you’re carving green runs or chasing steeper terrain.
“I walked into my first Whistler Pride event more than twenty years ago and I’ve never felt like I belonged somewhere more,” said Tommy Dolanjski, CEO of TFD Presents, in Tourism Whistler materials announcing the festival. “That feeling of being welcomed and safe is what we hope to carry forward, creating something that honours the legacy while opening the door even wider.”
Après, Nightlife, and Space for Everyone
Alongside its on-mountain roots, the Whistler Pride Festival brings a refreshed mix of programming off the slopes. You can expect a Daily Après Ski Series rotating through the Village, social gatherings alongside ticketed nightlife events, and intentional spaces designed for women, youth, and gender-diverse communities. Free and low-barrier events help make sure Pride feels welcoming and accessible, while national and local performers bring the energy to life, from DJs and drag hosts to multi-venue Pride takeovers that keep Whistler buzzing well into the night.
Why Whistler Still Draws Us Back
The setting itself remains part of the draw. Whistler Blackcomb offers vast alpine terrain, iconic sightseeing experiences like the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, and a magical village setting. You'll stroll car free laneways and plazas under holiday lights. Discover dining, shops, pubs and nightlife. Pose for selfies in Olympic Plaza, or strap on a pair of skates. As a long-time Sea to Sky resident, I can personally attest to the simple pleasure of sitting on a heated outdoor patio, watching the snow fall, and catching up with friends after a day outside, whether that day was spent on the slopes, snowshoeing at Lost Lake Park, or unwinding at a spa with your sweetie. Whistler is a place where adventure and celebration naturally coexist. And what better celebration is there than Pride?
Benefits for longer stays
For those planning a winter getaway around the festival, there’s an added incentive to stay longer. Visitors who book three or more nights can receive a free $75 dining credit, making it easier to settle in and experience more of what Whistler has to offer.
Full Festival Schedule
The full festival schedule has now been released, featuring a vibrant lineup that includes a focus on the many free events happening daily,. With many events already selling out, there is an urgent need to lock in your tickets to avoid missing out. To explore the event lineup, learn more about the Whistler Pride Festival, and start planning your trip, visit whistlerpridefestival.com.
We'll see you there!
From that first gathering in 1992 to today’s reimagined festival, Whistler’s Pride story has always been about sharing the mountain together and then enjoying a darn good party afterwards! The setting hasn’t changed. And the vision continues to thrive