Whenever I hear the phrase Winter Wonderland, I immediately think of one of those Norman Rockwell paintings. You know the ones. They look sort of like the Christmas Cards you get from your grandparents. They are Classic Americana, and the visual formula is always a variation on the same theme...an idyllic rural landscape with a snow-covered farmhouse in the foreground (usually on the left), and a picture-perfect barn sitting back a bit and to the right. There’s an expansive front porch on the house, and it’s overlooking an overly large yard, complete with a couple of kids who are busy building a snowman. They are surrounded (inexplicably) by fresh (and untrampled) snow, despite their efforts with the snowman, and the happy antics of the family dog. In the distance, a horse-drawn sleigh brings revelers to a frozen lake where iceskaters skate together in outfits reminiscent of the late nineteenth century. In some cases, there are carolers in the picture (although this narrows the timing down to the holidays), and in others, it’s merely a group of singers, or a barbershop quartet, singing for the merriment of the skaters....
But I digress (which always happens when I think about one of those Norman Rockwell-esque scenes). The fact is, that although the visual that comes to my mind when I hear the phrase “Winter Wonderland” is fascinating and idyllic, it isn’t actually my own ideal when I begin considering Winter get-aways. And that got me thinking. What do other people think of when they think of Winter Wonderlands? And more importantly, do those visions match up to what those same people like to do in the Winter? So I decided to ask a few friends about it.
Here’s what they said....
Russell G., Seattle, WA
My idea of a Winter Wonderland (and consequently, my idea of a wonderful Winter get-away) is exactly that - a Winter Wonderland. I want lots of snow, crisp Winter air, and clear blue skies, punctuated by a scattering of puffy white clouds. I also want my skis, my snowboard, and a couple hundred ski runs to choose from. You got it. I am a ski fanatic.
Born with Skis on!
I’ve been skiing for as long as I can remember. My parents took me and my brothers skiing in Aspen, Vail, Park City, Mammoth and/or Whistler as many times a year as they could arrange when I was growing up. My mom would even make arrangements with our school so we could get away to go skiing. She says skiing is in our blood and I believe her.
Dad says mom never missed a ski vacation, even when she was pregnant with us kids. We still all get together at least once a year to go skiing as a family, and my mom, now a grandma, is usually the first one out on the slopes with my niece and nephews (along with her own parents, who are also avid skiiers and still join us on the slopes).
A New Twist.
I’m single at the moment, but I can tell you without hesitation that if and when I find a boyfriend, one of the basic requirements will be that he likes to ski. I realize that sounds odd, but considering how much I like to ski, and how much my family likes to ski, it just wouldn’t work to have a boyfriend who wasn’t a skier. Fortunately, I’ve found a small group of friends here in Seattle who enjoy skiing almost as much as I do, and they have introduced me to several of the gay ski weeks that take place around the country. I guess I’ve always been aware of the gay ski week events. I can remember hearing about the one in Vail when I was a kid. But it wasn’t until I attended one with my friends that I really discovered just how awesome these events can be!
WinterPRIDE!
The WinterPRIDE event (www.gaywhistler.com) in Whistler (which replaced the Altitude event a couple of years ago) has really become one of my favorites when it comes to Gay Ski events. Whistler itself is an incredible ski destination, with more than 8,100 acres of skiable terrain, 200 runs, and the longest ski season in Canada. It’s also close enough to Seattle to make it a constant temptation for me. And when you add those facts to the long list of activities, entertainment and social festivities that the team of people at GayWhistler/Alpenglow put together for WinterPRIDE, you’ve got a ski week that is absolutely over the top fun! This year’s event, which ran from February 3rd to February 10th, included an all-star line-up - DJ David Knapp spinning at the Snowball Dance Party - Atlanta DJ John Millier spinning at the MountainTOP Party - Cirque Du Soliel performing at the WinterPRIDE Banquet - Last Comic Standing’s Debra DiGiovanni performing at Comedy Night - and more!
There are a number of other great Gay Ski events. I’ve managed to go to several. About the only problem I’ve run into is the fact that they all take place at about the same time, forcing me to choose between them. (After all, I only have so much vacation.) The Blue Gay-La (www.ltva.org/glski/), which is South Lake Tahoe’s Gay and Lesbian Ski Week is one good choice, and one of the ones I’ve attended. The entire area is a visually breathtaking, and they have some of the best skiing in North America by day (and night). They also have Blue Avenue, where you can revel in the energy of Lake Tahoe’s 24-hour gaming and nightlife. And then there are notorious Drag Races on skis...you get the idea. It’s great fun!
A couple of others that I’ve attended deserve a definite mention. In no particular order, they are the Aspen Gay Ski Week (www.gayskiweek.com), Elevation - the annual Mammoth Gay Ski Week (www.mammothgayski.com), Vail’s Gay Ski Week (vailgayskiweek.com), and Telluride’s Gay Ski Week (www.telluridegayskiweek.com). Each of them is unique, fun, and offer some incredible opportunities for skiing and fellowship!
Billy E., Atlanta, Georgia
I live in Atlanta, and we have pretty mild winters. The biggest challenges we face are the winter ice storms (which, fortunately, do not occur all that frequently). So when somebody mentions a Winter Wonderland, the first thing I think about is one of those ice storms, and that’s not good. Tree branches break everywhere, putting out the electricity and dropping on cars, or even homes. Cars go sliding all over the streets. It isn’t pretty.
Sunshine and South Florida.
I guess you can imagine, given my feelings on Atlanta ice storms, that my idea of a Winter Wonderland has nothing at all to do with ice and snow, and everything to do with sunshine, sand, and the warm waters of the Atlantic ocean. That means South Florida, at least for me. So when the ice comes, and the Winter Blues start getting me down, I head on down to the Atlanta Airport and catch a flight to Fort Lauderdale. After that, it’s a short drive to my hotel, and an even shorter walk to the beach.
Beach Buddies.
There’s nothing like a smooth, sandy beach to take the chill off, especially when it’s filled with a bunch of guys out enjoying the sunshine. Makes for some great sightseeing (and I don’t mean the waves). South Florida beaches are amazing. Miles and miles of sand, and water that’s never too chilly to enjoy. Better yet, there’s almost always a good game of beach volleyball going on nearby, which makes for great fun (and provides a good way to meet people). The beach always seems to bring out the best in people. They let their guard down, relax, and just have fun. I’m not exactly sure why that’s the case, but I’m always glad it is!
Soaking Up The Sun Au Naturale.
Sun time, for me, is almost always about the beach. But sometimes, I do like to sit by the pool at one of Fort Lauderdale’s many gay guesthouses and soak up some sun au naturale. Most of the gay guesthouses in Fort Lauderdale are clothing optional, either throughout the properties, or in specified areas, and I enjoy sunbathing sans suit sometimes. (Never really did like tanlines.) Of course, I also like swimming naked. There’s just something really amazing about being in the water without clothes. And then there’s the hot tub....
Tony T., Los Angeles
The only Winter Wonderland I want to see is the one that’s located down under. You got it! Down under as in Australia. Where our Winter gives way to the height of Summer, and the celebrations go on from dawn to dusk! 
My first trip to Australia was with a group of friends who went down to celebrate Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney. And I’ve got to tell you. I’ve never seen a party like this one! This is like the Godzilla of all Pride Festivals meets the King Kong of all Mardi Gras celebrations! Talk about parties...the Sleaze Ball...the Harbour Party...the Pool Party. Talk about the Parade...the costumes...the hot men...the music...the absolute amazing energy! There’s just nothing like it, and every gay man should attend this fantastic celebration of all things gay at least once in their lives.
Gay Sydney.
Gay life in Sydney is much like the rest of life in Sydney. Out there. Energetic. Almost frenetic. Sydney marches to a beat all its own, and its gay community does too. And it’s a good beat...friendly...open...honest...and all without any attitude. It’s the sort of place that almost makes you want to forget where you grew up, pack your bags, and move.
?
Lots of cities can only claim one gay village. Not Sydney. The gay community there is threaded throughout the community.
Oxford Street in Darlinghurst is the traditional center of everything gay. But in more recent days, Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay have become popular with the smart gay party set. (They also both provide a stunning harbor setting, and are in close proximity to the nightlife in Kings Cross. Paddington is another up-and-coming favorite. Once a bit on the worn side, its beautiful Victorian homes are now the height of fashion, and home to quite a community of gay men and women.
Newtown, a bit inland, has become a major rival for Darlinghurst, especially among the locals. There’s also nearby Erskinville, Leichhardt (Dykeheart), Redfern, and last, but not least by any stretch of the imagination - the beaches. Can you say Bondi? I can. I’ve been there, and I can tell you it’s got some of the hottest men around. For me, there’s just no contest. Winter means Sydney. And that means Summer sun and Aussie men!
Roger V., Phoenix, AZ
I grew up in Phoenix, so I’ve never really been around too much snow. About the worst it gets here in the Winter is the occasional overnight freeze, and even that’s rare. Maybe that’s why “Winter Wonderland” doesn’t have too much meaning for me. I guess when I think of Winter, it does call to mind cool nights, because nights can be on the cold side during the Winter months. ?
Still, that’s really relative. I’m talking low forties, and most people from the Northeast or the Midwest would pretty much laugh me out of the room if I told them what I considered cold. Really, the only “Winter” thing I can even think of here in Phoenix is curling up in front of the fireplace with a good book and a bowl full of Chili. Of course if you want to talk about Winter get-aways, that’s another story entirely. I do like to escape a time or two in the Winter, and when I do that, I usually head down to Puerto Vallarta for a few days. I enjoy traveling to Mexico throughout the year, but PV is my Winter place, because I’m usually trying to get away because I’m feeling stressed, and the pace in Puerto Vallarta is always relaxed, the weather is fine, and the guys are always friendly.
Lots of people don’t think of Mexico as gay friendly. I disagree. Especially when it comes to Puerto Vallarta. In recent years, the LGBT community down there has exploded, especially in the Zona Romantica - the area just South of central Vallarta. That’s where most of the gay guys go when they visit PV. There are quite a few bars, restaurants, and shops that are gay owned and/or gay managed in the Zona Romantica, and the entire area is generally welcoming and open. A lot of gay people also live in and around the Zona Romantica - both Mexican nationals and ex-patriots from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Some of the ex-pats. live there seasonally, but others have “made the leap” and moved to PV permanantly. It has created a strong sense of community there, and that community in turn provides the framework for the gay tourism business.
When I travel to PV (an easy direct flight from Phoenix on US Air), I usually take a cab from the airport into the Zona Romantica. One time I did rent a car, but it was really more trouble than it was worth. Cabs are cheap, and you can walk to most places, or even take a bus if you’re going somewhere further afield. For me, PV is not about exploration and adventure (although there’s lots of both to be found if that is what you’re looking for). Rather, it’s my secret place to take advantage of well-deserved down time. Honestly, when I go to PV, the most exploring I do is when I go looking for new restaurants that may have opened since the last time I was down.?
And trust me. There is no shortage of great restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. (I’ve also been known to visit during their International Gourmet Festival in November - an annual event I can highly recommend!)
I guess you can tell that I’m sold on Puerto Vallarta - Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. It’s a great destination, and one that’s particularly nice in the Winter when you need a good dose of sun and sand!
