Winter Is Coming…Mt. Bachelor Beckons You for Winter Pridefest

It’s really not too early to start making plans for your winter sports vacation plans for those of you who enjoy frolicking in the snow while the rest of us, being good sensible people, cuddle up back in the lodge cradling cups of warm cocoa laced with brandy while we chat up nice buff men named “Lars” or “Helmut” and ask them about that cute tattoo they have on their bicep…

For those of you who enjoy those kinds of activities (skiing and picking up strange men in the hot tub at a winter resort) then the Winter Pridefest Ski Weekend on Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor in Bend is just the ticket for you! It’s a four day weekend of gay fun in the mountains of Central Oregon!

All the poo you need about this year’s party, which happens January 30 to February 2nd, is down below!

THIRD ANNUAL WINTER PRIDEFEST LGBTQ+ SKI WEEKEND DESCENDS ON OREGON’S MT. BACHELOR, JAN. 30 TO FEB. 2, 2020, IN BEND, ORE.
More than 700 LGBTQ+ winter sports enthusiasts expected to take part in a variety of festivities both on and off the mountain

(BEND, Ore.) — The third annual Winter PrideFest, a celebration of winter sports among the LGBTQ+ community, is returning to one of the country’s top destinations for outdoor recreation for four days of on- and off-mountain sports and social activities, Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2020, at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore.

“Winter PrideFest was conceived as a way to bring the LGBTQ+ community together over a shared passion for outdoor recreation and winter sports, and to do so in a way that is inclusive, social, educational, and above all, fun,” said Jamie Nesbitt, president of OUT Central Oregon, which organizes the annual event. “What started as a local grassroots effort in year one has quickly evolved into an event with regional and national cache, and we think there’s no better venue to celebrate diversity than Mt. Bachelor and Bend.”

At Mt. Bachelor, Winter PrideFest will feature daily organized groups for Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, plus the popular Drag Tubing. In town, attendees can take part in a Welcome Snocial at Immersion Brewing, Wigs Ice Skating at Seventh Mountain Resort, a panel discussion on LGBTQ+ people in sport, a downtown Apres Ski Party at Crater Lake Spirits, Hey Honey Dance Party at Spoken Moto, and a Sunday brunch.

“We have seen attendance at Winter PrideFest increase exponentially from 150 attendees in year one, to 450 attendees in year two, and we estimate that 700 people will be at this year’s event,” said Nesbitt. “With two-thirds of those attendees coming from outside of Central Oregon, there’s no question that Winter PrideFest has quickly established itself as a marquee winter event for the LGBTQ+ community to rally around.” 

Most Winter PrideFest events are free to attend, though space is limited for certain events and activities, and advance registration is encouraged. For more information or to register for Winter PrideFest, Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2020 at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore., visit www.outcentraloregon.com/winter-pridefest/ or the Winter PrideFest Facebook Event page.

About Winter PrideFest:
Now in its third year, Winter PrideFest is a multi-event weekend celebrating diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community and allies through various winter activities, social gatherings, and inspiring events. From a grassroots inaugural event that drew 150 attendees, Winter PrideFest is expected to attract more than 700 attendees this year to Bend, Ore., and Mt. Bachelor, Jan. 30 through Feb. 2, for four days of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, panel discussions, and evening social functions. For more information or to register for Winter PrideFest, visit www.outcentraloregon.com/winter-pridefest/ or the Winter PrideFest Facebook Event page.

About OUT Central Oregon:
OUT Central Oregon, a public charitable organization, promotes inclusivity and visibility for LGBTQ+ people by enabling and fostering community engagement. Working within the social, cultural, and economic landscape of Central Oregon, OCO develops and builds partnerships with businesses, government, and other organizations to promote and support the LGBTQ+ community. OUT Central Oregon educates the LGBTQ+ community and the public by providing public discussions, lectures, documentary screenings, social gatherings, and outdoor activities. For more information visit www.outcentraloregon.com, email info@outcentraloregon.com, or call 458-206-0588.

2020 EVENT SCHEDULE 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30
Alpine/Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing at Mt. Bachelor: Winter PrideFest attendees are welcome to ski, snowboard, and snowshoe on their own or with PrideFest Ambassador-led groups. Mt. Bachelor lift tickets, trail passes (Nordic), and equipment rentals must be purchased separately.
LGBTQ+ People In Sport Panel Discussion (5-7pm – $20): Held at Immersion Brewing, the “Beyond the traditional bounds of gender and sexuality in outdoor sports” panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ athlete leaders and influencers, including backcountry queen, advocate, and activist Pattie Gonia (@pattiegonia), Molly Cameron (cyclist), Sara Weiner (athlete), and Joey Jacinto (strength coach). 
Welcoming Snocial (7-9pm – FREE): Held at Immersion Brewing in Bend’s trendy Box Factory district, the Welcoming Snocial gives Winter PrideFest attendees a chance to meet and mingle, interact with our panelists, and pick up lift tickets and Winter PrideFest Black Strap neck tubes.  

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
Alpine/Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing at Mt. Bachelor: Winter PrideFest attendees are welcome to ski, snowboard, and snowshoe on their own or with PrideFest Ambassador-led groups. Mt. Bachelor lift tickets, trail passes (Nordic), and equipment rentals must be purchased separately.
WIGS…An Ice Breaker (7-9pm – FREE for non-skaters, $5 w/own skates, $10 w/skate rental): Following a day at the mountain, attendees are invited to put on a wig, grab some skates, and join Winter PrideFest at Seventh Mountain Resort for nighttime ice skating at the resort’s outdoor ice rink, or to relax by one of the fire pits to recount the day’s activities. 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Winter PrideFest at Mt. Bachelor (9am-4pm – FREE): Mt. Bachelor lift tickets sold separately. A full day of on-mountain activities including Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, Drag Tubing at Snowblast Tubing Park, live DJ all day, and an on-mountain Apres Ski Celebration.
Apres Ski Party (6-9pm – FREE): Back in town, Winter PrideFest will take over the Crater Lake Spirits downtown Bend tasting room for an apres ski party featuring specialty cocktails made with locally-produced spirits.
Hey Honey Dance Party (9pm-2am – $15): Featuring a live DJ, the Hey Honey Dance Party will take over the Spoken Moto space, which doubles as a1 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Alpine/Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing at Mt. Bachelor: Winter PrideFest attendees are welcome to ski, snowboard, and snowshoe on their own or with PrideFest Ambassador-led groups. Mt. Bachelor lift tickets, trail passes (Nordic), and equipment rentals must be purchased separately.
Brunch & Super Bowl Viewing (11am-2pm): Details TBD