Pack your bags, the slopes are calling! Crystal Mountain, the largest ski resort in the state of Washington, is planning its second annual Pride in the Pow, March 17—19.
This year's event will be the resort's third LGBTQ+-specific one and the second winter extravaganza, following last year's inaugural party.
"We did a summer Pride event two years ago, and then last year was our first winter [one], kicking off Pride in the Pow," said Emma Brice, a PR specialist at Crystal. "We're stoked. We're bringing back some of the same performers we had last year, local to Seattle, and we're partnering with Seattle Pride and QPOC Hikers to put on this event."
The first Pride in the Pow last year was a huge success. The weather conditions were phenomenal for spring skiing and snowboarding. The sun was out for most of the weekend, and participants got gorgeous views of Mt. Rainer from the summit.
For the organizers, the best part was seeing Queer people connect with a bit of the most beautiful nature Washington state has to offer, and they want to reach even more people this year.
"It was a really fun event," Brice said. "We are now continuing to promote that the mountain and the outdoors are for everyone, and just continuing to promote that space for the LGBTQIA+ community.
"We want it to be accessible, so we have a three-day lineup of beginner group lessons and snowshoe tours, all at discounted prices, just so folks can come up and feel safe and like they can have fun in the outdoors."
Crystal Mountain is offering special discounts on gear and lessons throughout the weekend. While the resort does not provide transportation, there will be free parking for participants, though the resort does encourage those planning on attending to carpool.
Lowering barriers
Everyone at Crystal is enthusiastic about the outdoors. They believe beauty can be found in nature, no matter the season. However, they are also aware that outdoor activity groups can often be intimidating for people in marginalized communities. So with the help of Seattle Pride, the resort is hoping to break the ice and pave the way for outdoorsy LGBTQ+ people to enjoy the winter.
"Our team is so passionate about this. We are grateful to get to work with Seattle Pride... It gives an extra layer of insight about how we ...try and make [the event] feel inclusive and make it feel authentic. That's the excitement for me," Brice said. "...It's not just a one-day or a one-weekend event that we put on. We're trying to continue this through all our events. We want to make it so that this community can come up anytime and feel safe and welcome in the outdoors."
Brice admits that barriers, such as high costs, have often kept some people from getting the chance to enjoy the feeling of flying down the slopes. "I think the outdoors, for a lot of communities, hasn't been accessible. In the ski industry, especially, there's a big barrier to entry. For the LGBTQ community, there's even an extra layer of not necessarily feeling welcomed," she explained.
"It's really important to us that Crystal...[be] a place where this community feels welcome. It's a very uniting place, where a lot of people feel like their best selves. You get a sense of freedom and a chance to connect with nature. That's just what we're trying to do: we're trying to open this space so this community can feel like that, too."
A mountain of fun
Pride in the Pow has much to offer. For experienced mountaineers and thrill seekers, there will be discounted access to all the slopes. For beginners, Crystal will offer discounted group lessons, a great way to not only meet new people but also pick up a fun new skill.
Of course, skiing and snowboarding are just the tip of the iceberg.
"The event starts Friday with a snowshoe tour, wine tasting, and dinner," Brice said. The snowshoe tour will only be available to those who reserve tickets in advance but promises spectacular views and a serene trek through nature.
"Saturday, we'll have ...a morning mix-and-mingle to get to know you, and then if people want to meet up and go skiing or snowboarding, they can do that. Otherwise, you can take a beginner group lesson at a discounted price that's only for the LGBTQ community and allies," Brice explained.
"Then we'll have our midday party, which will have ...drag queen performances and lip-sync contests," she said. If the weather permits, the performances will be held at the top of the mountain. Some of the queens expected to give snow-melting performances include Rowan Ruthless, Miss Monday Morning, and Hoochie Papa.
Brice added, "We'll have an end-of-day party with dancing and music and fun times. We'll do the same thing on Sunday, but instead of a lip-sync contest, we'll have a catwalk contest."
All the weekend events are optional. For those who may be intimidated by the thought of sailing down a mountain, Crystal offers other activities. All Saturday and Sunday, the lodge will offer guided snowshoe hikes for people of all ability levels. People are also free to enjoy some of the resort's iconic gondolas, which will usher performers and audience members to and from the mountain's summit.
"For folks who want to come up and just watch the contests and enjoy the scenery, you can do that. You don't necessarily have to ski or snowboard if you don't want to," Brice said.
Crystal Mountain offers lodging for those hoping to make a full weekend out of Pride in the Pow. Guests can ski right up to their chalet condos. After a long day on the mountain, the resort offers heated pools and several restaurants within walking distance.
But Pride in the Pow is not exclusive to just lodge guests. Anyone can purchase a discounted day pass and drive up to the mountain to enjoy the festivities.
Something for everyone
For anyone who has been thinking about learning to ski or snowboard, but just hasn't taken the plunge, Brice says Pride in the Pow is the perfect weekend to get out there.
"I think this is a great place to start," she said. "We're offering beginner group lessons, so it's an opportunity to connect with other LGBTQ community members and allies. It's a very inclusive space. No previous experience is required, and we'll have discounted rentals... It's a really good setting to be introduced to it.
"The advice I would give is [that] putting yourself out there and connecting with this community can be powerful. This is a great place to try it."
Whether you want to make new snow friends, learn a new skill, or hit some of the best slopes in Washington, there's something for everyone at Pride in the Pow.