For all you LGBTQ+ snow lovers and winter sports jocks, you have another opportunity to get all Pride-y while doing what you love best…tramping around icy cold snow and slussing (is that a word?) down a slope wearing your gayest ski parkas!
It’s happening THIS weekend and relatively close to home…up at Enumclaw’s Crystal Mountain Resort in Pierce County and right next door to Mt Rainier! It’s MTN Pride: Pride in the Pow”, a three-day event kicking off this Friday, March 11th and continuing through Sunday, March 13th.
They have a big line-up events that naturally include DRAG shows…what could be more fun than seeing icy cold drag queens with frozen make-up and numb lips fumbling the lyrics to Cher songs?
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
It’s also a partnership with Seattle Pride, the parade group, not the festival group….
And, here’s some info on how to GET out there…
There will be a total of 20 roundtrip 56-seat luxury coaches running from Enumclaw Expo Center to Crystal Mountain on weekends and holidays. All shuttles are free of charge.
Learn more about riding the shuttle here: https://www.crystalmountainresort.com/plan-your-trip/winter-2122-parking-and-shuttle-information/free-shuttle-service
Everything else you need to know:
Crystal Mountain is excited to announce their first annual Pride event celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community March 11th-March 13th. “MTN Pride: Pride in the Pow” is a three-day event that offers fun for everyone. Partnering with Seattle Pride and QPOC Hikers, Crystal is stoked to invite everyone to celebrate Pride at Washington’s largest ski resort.
A snowshoe tour & dinner led by QPOC Hikers, an organization that connects queer people of color with hiking and the outdoors, will kick off the weekend festivities Friday, March 11th. Crystal Mountain is thrilled to partner with QPOC Hikers and have their support in bringing the MTN Pride celebration to life.
The rest of the weekend will be packed with LGBTQIA+ friendly beginner ski and snowboard lessons, drag performances, lip sync contests, and an après-ski party with raffles on Saturday and Sunday. Seattle local performers, Rowan Ruthless, Miss Monday Mourning, and Hoochie Papa will be hosting and judging the lip sync contest and performing the drag show at the mountain summit. For seasoned skiers and riders ready to go directly to the slopes, there are discounted lift tickets to access the full mountain.
“Events like this really set the standard that this mountain is for everyone. We are excited to elevate our local LGBTQIA+ community members and partner with Seattle Pride to bring the mountain to life so guests can feel welcome and safe to explore the beauty and adventure that the mountain offers,” said Christy Pelland of Crystal Mountain Events & Partnerships.
“Being ‘out’ in the outdoors is not something many in the LGBTQIA+ community can see themselves being when they aren’t always welcomed by others,” said Seattle Pride Executive Director, Krystal Marx. “Pride in the Pow can help change that by connecting with other members of the LGBTQIA+ community, outdoors, in a welcoming space.”
For those that are new to the world of snow sports, this three-day event is a great opportunity to join the festivities in a supportive, inclusive, and fun-loving environment. Crystal Mountain is home to Washington State’s only gondola, making it easy for folks that want to celebrate Pride at the mountain, but don’t want to ski. The gondola takes you up 2,400 vertical feet directly to the summit where you can enjoy the drag show, lip sync performances, views of Mt. Rainier, and then finish up the day at the lodge for the après party.
This is the first year Crystal Mountain is hosting “Pride in the Pow”, but it won’t be the last. Crystal Mountain, Seattle Pride and QPOC Hikers are excited to launch this vibrant event to continue to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that welcomes all communities to the mountain. Learn more and buy tickets at CrystalMountainResort.com
Friday, March 11
- 2pm- QPOC Hikers: Snowshoe tour & dinner (Advance tickets required: https://mtnpridesnowshoe.eventbrite.com)
Saturday, March 12
- 8:30am- Morning Mix & Mingle, Location: Cascade Lodge Patio
- 9:30am- Meet & Ski Ride Groups, Location: Cascade Lodge Patio
- 10am- Beginner Group Lessons (Advance tickets required: https://prideinthepow.eventbrite.com/)
- 1pm- Drag Performances & Lip Sync Contest, Location: Tower 16 Snow Beach
- 4pm- Après Party, Location: Fireside Cantina Patio
Sunday, March 13
- 9:30am- Meet & Ski Ride Groups, Location: Cascade Lodge Patio
- 10am- Beginner Group Lessons (Advance tickets required: https://prideinthepow.eventbrite.com/)
- 1pm- Drag Performances & Catwalk Contest, Location: Tower 16 Snow Beach
- 3pm- Après Party, Location: Fireside Cantina Patio
Use Promo Code SeattlePride to get $25 off packages and lift tickets!
Snowshoe Tour & Dinner
Climb through the snow-covered forest, indulge in tasty food & drink and enjoy the mountain environment with other queer people and allies of the LGBTIA+ community. Discover the wonder of winter adventure in the Cascade Mountains through snowshoeing with experienced guides in a supportive space while building your outdoor community.
In the afternoon, participants will meet up in the base area and start making their way uphill. The route will begin at the Crystal Mountain base area (4,400 ft) and wind up through the towering forest to Bullion Basin (6300 ft). Once at Bullion Basin, the group will warm up with drinks and make their way down to a delicious dinner back at the base area.
More information and registration: https://mtnpridesnowshoe.eventbrite.com
Meet & Ski – Daily Ride Groups
New to Crystal Mountain or simply looking for ski or snowboard buddies? Meet on the mountain for the Crystal Meet & Ski groups and make new friends – all levels welcome.
The social core of the weekend, the free ski and snowboard groups are the best way to meet other Mtn Pride attendees while exploring Crystal Mountain. These volunteer-guided groups range from beginner to expert. Each group skis/rides together for the morning, followed by no-host lunch at the Campbell Basin Lodge or Cascade Lodge (base).
The groups meet at 9:30 am on the Cascade Lodge patio on Saturday & Sunday.
Beginner Group Lessons
New to the world of snowsports? We got you covered with beginner group lessons on Saturday and Sunday. Choose from learning to ski or snowboard with a supportive, fun-loving group of other queer people and allies of the LGBTIA+ community.
For first-time skiers and riders, we utilize the custom-built snow features of our Terrain Based Learning program to provide an effective, movement-based learning experience that builds your confidence.
Lesson Package includes:
- Morning half day lesson: 10am-12pm
- Beginner Lift Ticket (Access to Discovery chair lift only)
- Full-Day Gear Rental (choice of ski or snowboard)
Please plan to check-in 30 minutes before your scheduled lesson time. If you need rental gear we suggest checking in 60 minutes prior to lesson time.
Lift Tickets
Purchase a discounted lift ticket for the weekend by clicking on the ‘Tickets’ button above. Select the days you’ll be joining us and pick up your ticket at Guest Services on the day of.
Scenic Gondola Tickets
Looking to join in the party but don’t feel like skiing or snowboarding? We got you covered with a scenic gondola ride to the summit. Our fabulous drag performance and lip-sync contests will be going down at the Tower 16 Snow Beach located at the top of the gondola. You won’t want to miss out on this party. Plan to pick up your $39 scenic gondola ticket after 12pm at Guest Services.
Free Shuttle
There will be a total of 20 roundtrip 56-seat luxury coaches running from Enumclaw Expo Center to Crystal Mountain on weekends and holidays. All shuttles are free of charge.
Learn more about riding the shuttle here: https://www.crystalmountainresort.com/plan-your-trip/winter-2122-parking-and-shuttle-information/free-shuttle-service
About Crystal Mountain Resort
Crystal Mountain is the premier ski destination in the Pacific Northwest, with world-class terrain winter or summer. High in the alpine of the scenic Cascade Range in Washington and neighboring iconic Mount Rainier, Crystal is more than a location. It is a place where something powerful exists that captures the heart and feeds the soul. Here the mountain towers in a paradise valley at the end of the road, providing an expanse of endless adventure. For more information, please visit www.crystalmountainresort.com.
About Seattle Pride
Seattle Pride is the (501(c)4) not-for-profit organization which produces the Seattle Pride Parade, Seattle Pride in the Park and other pride-related events and promotions, as well as providing grants and sponsorship support to community-based LGBTQIA+ serving organizations statewide, and year-round advocacy to drive lasting change of diversity, inclusivity, and equal human rights for all.
About QPOC Hikers
QPOC Hikers is based in the Pacific Northwest and exists to connect queer people of color with hiking and the outdoors by creating space to share stories and experiences, increasing visibility, representation, and awareness, and organizing opportunities for learning and growth.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
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