SameSame.com.au ~ Inside Out Australia

Winter has arrived – and three returning gay skiing events want you to join hundreds of adventure seekers on Australasia’s best slopes.

Mt. Buller in Victoria will host whiteOUT 2010 gay ski weekend from Wednesday July 21, the second annual Frosty Fruits Ski Trip starts at Hotham Alpine Resort on Thursday 19 August, and the eighth Gay Ski Week NZ will hit Queenstown from Saturday 4 September.

Ready for some thrills and spills on (and off!) the slopes this winter? Check out the details below…

WhiteOUT! 2010

WhiteOUT is back for its eleventh year, featuring an action-packed four days of fun at Mt. Buller – located a leisurely three hour drive from Melbourne.

Mt Buller has three terrain parks designed for all skill levels, a half pipe and an ultra cross course, with a dedicated snow grooming team to maintain their condition.

The winter wonderland will light up with a wide variety of special events planned for its gay visitors including dinners, social drinks and the huge WhiteOUT party.

WhiteOUT is a popular, not-for-profit, friendly ski adventure. Find out more at its website here.

Frosty Fruits Ski Trip

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Frosty Fruits Ski Trip, its second outing promises a frostier and higher experience for gay skiers, in a resort located only 90 minutes from Sydney.

Organiser Adam Bold admits that while last year’s trip to Thredbo Resort was a fantastic experience, the six-hour drive was from Sydney a deterrent for some people.

“So we researched the best ski fields in Australia, and particularly those you could fly direct to,” he explains. “We came up with the Hotham Alpine Resort.

“Not only can we fly direct from Sydney to the Hotham airport, the village is located right slap bang on the snow, on the top of the mountain. It’s ‘fly in and ski out’ accommodation – just walk out your room, slap on your skis and swoosh off!”

A four-day event program of exciting ski and non-ski events is scheduled for Frosty Fruits visitors. There are group meals and social events each day, giving everyone a chance to mix, mingle and make new friends.

Special events include the Groomed Welcome Party, presented by Hotham Alpine Resort; the DNA Dinner Party at Dinner Plain; and the ‘Disco Snowball’ final night presented by Gaydar.com.au.

One major addition to the line-up this year is a 3-day women’s speciality program, produced with support from the luscious lesbians at Avalon Media, publishers of BOUND Magazine.

Frosty Fruits Ski Trip 2010 will hit the snow at the Hotham Alpine Resort from Thursday August 19 until Sunday August 22, 2010. To book or find out more, check the trip’s official website here.

Gay Ski Week NZ

Last but certainly not least, how about a Kiwi adventure?

Held in early September each year in the gorgeous southern city of Queenstown, skiing and boarding is the main attraction of Gay Ski Week NZ, but there is plenty of official night time action to keep guests happy, plus daytime events for people who don’t ski.

Highlight events on the schedule this year include the Cowboy Dinner, Retro Bowling, Snow Gaymes, Big Gay Out, Karaoke Night, Play Day, Undy Run, Buff Party and the closing White Out Party with Sydney DJ Kitty Glitter behind the decks.

Gay Ski Week NZ organiser Mike Sanford says he’s excited to welcome gay skiers to Queenstown for the eighth year.

“Bookings are already up on 2009 and more than 800 people are expected this year,” he reveals.

Get ready for the biggest gay alpine party in the southern hemisphere! Take a look at Gay Ski Week NZ’s 2010 plans on its official website.

Photos used courtesy of Hotham Ski Company.