Kevin Millins, Former Director of world-famous London Gay nightclub Heaven and head of Pure Organisation, which operates European Gay Ski Week, said: “With the LGBT protections and rights that have developed over the past 13 years that we have been running this event, it has prompted many people to question the need for LGBT-specific leisure spaces, be that gay-only bars and clubs or LGBT-specific tourism.
“But for LGBT holiday-makers, knowing the laws of the land can be critical to actual or perceived safety, making holidays another source of worry rather than a relaxing, rejuvenating leisure experience.”
Some surveys report one third of LGBT holiday-makers feel they are treated differently (negatively) due to their sexuality when on vacation, 45% of transgender travellers have reported fearing physical or verbal abuse/harassment while traveling, and 99% of lesbians state LGBTQ discrimination as their greatest concern when travelling overseas.
“For many, skiing and snowboarding epitomises feelings of freedom and self-expression. For the LGBT community, these are sentiments not taken for granted and there is huge demand for spaces that are guaranteed to be welcoming, inclusive and where LGBT people can relax, be themselves and just have fun,” Kevin continued.
“European Gay Ski Week welcomes more than 1,000 LGBT people each year, from 49 different countries, providing the rare opportunity to not only enjoy queer-specific spaces from our on-mountain gay ski guiding groups to the après parties and nightclubs, but offering an LGBT-inclusive way to get outdoors, be active and enjoy winter sports in beautiful mountain settings.”
“European Gay Ski Week offers an unrivalled travel experience, as it is the only LGBT winter sports festival to be hosted in a different mountain location each year,” he added.
From 23-30 March 2019 European Gay Ski Week will be hosted at Les Arcs, France; part of the snow-sure Paradiski area, boasting 425km of exciting pistes within a boundary of 14,390 hectares for every level of skier.
With the huge Paradiski area as its backdrop, European Gay Ski Week prides itself on delivering unique experiences, blending fantastic skiing and snowboarding with top-notch entertainment. These include high-calibre cabaret acts, parties hosted by international clubs and DJs, fine dining, a pool party and open-air on-mountain après-ski with live shows.
