"Top To Bottom" Guide For The 2024 Telluride Gay Ski Week
Welcome to Telluride Gay Ski Week - a week-long celebration of the beauty and diversity of our LGBTQ+ community.
This is not your average gay circuit party. It's an opportunity to come together and revel in the spirit of diversity, equality, and inclusivity. Our town and mountain are ready to welcome you with open arms and provide an unforgettable experience.
To ensure you have the best time ever, we've created a cheeky “Top To Bottom” Guide packed with all the necessary info. From fashion tips on how to pack to event reminders for those “can’t miss” moments ahead, explore the guide and get ready to make lifelong friends and memories.
Welcome to our town, our mountain and our event. Here’s to a week of flying our flags high and skiing our hearts out!
Checking In, Picking Up Passes And Getting Ready
Basecamp hospitality lounge open daily from 8:00 - 2:00 pm in Mountain Village and 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the Après-Ski location of the day
When you arrive in Telluride, start by checking in and picking up your ski passes and event credentials (wristbands) at the TGSW Basecamp - located in Heritage Plaza in Mountain Village. Look for the big tent surrounded by pride flags. Equipped with 30+ years of local knowledge, our friendly staff is here to welcome and get you set up for the week with recommendations for just about anything.
Lift Tickets do not need to be used consecutively but are only valid for a 10-day window from February 24 - March 4. Partially-used multi-day tickets are not eligible for credits or refunds. We suggest taking a photo of the ticket ID code as they are there is no way to replace if lost without knowing the ID code.
Wristband Info
Wristbands will only be given out at Basecamp and at venues to the specific parties.
Only wristbands purchased through Front Gate Tickets are valid. If you purchased from an unauthorized source and/or the ticket is counterfeit, you will not be allowed entry.
Tickets must be scanned in order to receive wristbands.
Wristbands must be worn securely on wrist and cannot be slipped on and off.
Wristbands are non-transferable and non-exchangeable.
Do not remove between days, stretch or tamper with your wristband in any way or you will not be allowed entry.
Subsequent and/or multiple presentations of a counterfeited wristband are void and will be seized by security staff.
If your wristband is removed by security/event staff for any reason, it will not be replaced.
All ticket-holders must pass through security at venues and are subject to bag inspection. Prohibited items will be confiscated by event staff.
The event takes place snow or shine.
There are absolutely no exceptions to this wristband policy.
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Kick Off The Week In Style
Opening Reception on Saturday, February 24 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Telluride Arts HQ
Kick off the week alongside fellow attendees at the elegant Opening Reception. Enjoy live music from DJ Leaux, food from Chef Will Nolan and a cash bar. Enjoy complimentary passed appetizers prepared by chef Will Nolan.
It’s Time To Hit The Slopes
Group Skiing (FREE with lift ticket) - Daily from 9:45 am - 1:00 pm
Explore some of the best ski terrain in North America alongside friendly, knowledgeable locals. Group skiing is a great way to make new friends and enjoy all the mountain has to offer.
We offer both group skiing for intermediate and advanced skiing levels. Both groups are inclusive and open to all who feel comfortable in them.
Do you want to be a Guide? Click here to get in touch.
The on-mountain dining guide can be found here. Pro tip! For reservations at Alpino Vino and Bon Vivant, diners will need to arrive at 10:30 am. Reservations open at 11:00 am and are usually full by 11:10 am.
Take a trip back in time in the old western-style “Gay Chalet”
Daily from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Mid-Mountain Cabin At Gorrono Ranch
The Gay Chalet is a cozy, rustic place to warm up next to a wood stove, meet new friends and recount your day from top to bottom.
Venue capacity is limited and tickets are required to ski-in-ski-out venue. If the chalet happens to be full, we might ask that you wait until a spot opens up inside. Not to worry! The outdoor bars will be open and there is plenty of seating in the waiting area.
Explore The Non-Skiing Recreational Activities At Telluride Gay Ski Week
Not just for skiers, Telluride Gay Ski Week invites everyone to celebrate the magic of wintertime in the San Juan Mountains. Home to activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, horseback rides, snowmobiling and more, the world famous mountain town has something for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Not a fan of the outdoors? Try a cooking class with Bravo TV’s Top Chef Eliza Gavin, a spa treatment at the award-winning Peaks Resort, a historical walking tour led by a longtime local expert or a shopping trip through downtown Telluride. Explore the non-skiing activities and join us for a fun winter experience in the heart of the Rockies.
Explore all the options below and join us daily for fun winter activities in the heart of the Rockies.
Kick back at the end of a day in the mountains and enjoy the free Après-Ski
Daily at different venues around Telluride and Mountain Village
Après-ski - pronounced [AH]·[PRAY]·[SKI] - is the French phrase for social hour “after-skiing” and Telluride takes its Après-ski seriously. Join us at these dynamic social gatherings throughout the week to connect with others and cap-off a day on the slopes. When it comes to Après-Ski, we have it all - fancy cocktails, historic watering holes, incredible views, and several local breweries to explore. From extra hoppy IPAs to locally distilled peppermint schnapps, kick back at the end of a long day in the mountains and enjoy!
Explore our Après-Ski partners below and join us daily for a fun transition into the evening.
Feb 24 - Opening Reception at Telluride Arts HQ featuring the “Love is Love” Art Exhibit with DJ Leaux and food from Chef Will Nolan
Feb 25 - Tomboy Tavern presented by Twisted Tea featuring CASTLE
Feb 26 - StrongHouse Brew Pub
Feb 27 - Element 52 presented by AETHER Apparel
Feb 28 - The Peaks Resort & Spa Great Room presented by CashmereRED & Westerlind with DJ Leaux
Feb 29 - Digi Dave’s Après-Ski at The Peaks Resort & Spa Great Room presented by Matthew Hintermeister: LIV Sotheby's International Realty with kidpeace
Mar 1 - Gus Kenworthy’s Après at The Peaks Resort & Spa Great Room presented by Junipero with kidpeace
Mar 2 - Pool Party at Mountain Lodge presented by Absolut with DUGAN and Sage Grey’s Mile Hi Go-Go Company
Dining Out In Telluride
Celebrated chefs, culinary excellence, extensive wine lists, creative cocktails, extraordinary service and our favorite local dives
We are honored to showcase our dining partners that support the LGBTQ+ community. Our dining partners are an instrumental component of our event experience and we carefully select each partner for good reasons – we believe in them and their alignment with our fans. They believe in us.
These are the restaurants that make Telluride great. Such a special place is destined to draw special people. That list includes some of the country’s most celebrated chefs, many who now call Telluride home. Truth is, you work up an appetite here, and whether you’re looking for a fresh pizza, foie gras, or free-range steak, we’ve got a collection of restaurants that get our mouths watering just thinking about them.
Explore our dining partners below and book your reservations in advance. Tables in Telluride fill up fast! We recommend these restaurants any day of the week but you might find more TGSW attendees on the days below.
Saturday, February 24 - Uno Dos Tres Tacos & Tequila
Sunday, February 25 - The Wood Ear
Monday, February 26 - The Cosmopolitan
Tuesday, February 27 - The Gay Sleigh
Wednesday, February 28 - Esperanza’s
Thursday, February 29 - The National
Friday, March 1 - Kazahana
Saturday, March 2 - 221 South Oak
Late Night Food - The Cornerhouse Grille
Laugh Your Heart Out: Experience an Unforgettable Night of Stand-up Comedy
Wednesday, February 28, 7:00 pm at the Sheridan Opera House Featuring Daniel Webb, Brad Loekle, Roz Hernandez, Gus Kenworthy and host Dave Amirault.
Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together and get ready for a legendary stand-up comedy show from the funniest entertainers in the business. Enjoy a side-splitting evening of live stand-up comedy.
Step Into Telluride’s Storied Past With The Historical Walking Tour (FREE)
Wednesday, February 28 from 2:30 pm - 4 pm starting at Historical Museum
The Historical Museum will host the Walking Tour on Thursday afternoon, March 2, allowing attendees to explore the unique history of the charming town. Attending the Tour, along with exploring the museum is great way to discover the mining, Ute Native American, ski and festival history that has earned the town the designation of a National Historical Landmark.
Ski Parade and Dancing on the Deck (FREE)
Friday, March 1 at 1:00 pm From the top of chair lift 7 to Gorrono Ranch
Join Gus Kenworthy, Dave Amirault, CASTLE and the staff and attendees of Telluride Gay Ski Week to ski down to Gorrono Ranch in costume while a DJ sets the party vibe. Be center stage for the whole mountain to see!
The vibrant colors of pride will pop brilliantly against the snow as skiers fly rainbows down the mountain in celebration of diversity and inclusivitfy creating a signature visible moment of the week.
Flag-bearing skiers and snowboarders will carry Pride flags while making turns down the mountain from the top of chair lift 7 to Gorrono Ranch to be welcomed by the DJ spinning tunes.
Dance Your Heart Out At The Parties
Disco Welcome Party (FREE)
Wednesday, February 28 at The Alibi at 9 pm featuring KIDPEACE
Join us on Wednesday night for a FREE welcome party at The Alibi - a cocktail lounge and club with the charm of a cozy mountain retreat and the vibrant pulse of disco music. Arrive early as the venue capacity is limited!
Sweet Madness Dance Party (Free)
Thursday, February 29 from 1 - 3 pm at Bon Vivant - Top of the Polar Queen Express (Lift 5) with CASTLE
For those of you that have skied in Europe, you may be familiar with the legendary champagne DJ dance parties… we’ve recreated this experience at an on-mountain location with 360° views of the surrounding mountains. Pro Tip - Reserve an early lunch and enjoy Bon Vivant’s delicious menu. Then join us in the open area outside the restaurant afterwards to dance the calories away. Start day-dreaming now and we’ll see you at Bon Vivant on the hill! If dining, we recommend being in line to put your name in by 10:30 - 10:45 am. They typically book out for the day shortly after they open at 11 am.
White Party - 2 DJ's, 2 Venues, 1 Ticket
Thursday, February 29 at 9 pm at Sheridan Opera House and The Alibi featuring DUGAN and DJ Sean O’Grady
Highly regarded by locals as one of the best parties of the year, the White Party is exactly that. Be sure to pack your best outfits and come dressed head to toe in white ready to party. Hop from venue to venue- both are located two minutes away from each other and the crowd will rotate throughout the night.
Friday, March 1 at 10 - Late at The Alibi with Tone Ranger
Yeehaw! Saddle up cowboys and cowgirls for a good ole barn burner. Lasso your compadres and giddy up to the western themed after-party following the Burlesque & Drag Show on Friday night at The Alibi. Western, rodeo and country attire is strongly encouraged - think collared shirts with pearl snap fasteners, vaquero design accents, tassels, blue jeans, leather belts with buckles, cowboy hats and boots.
Saturday, March 2 from 2 - 6 pm at Mountain Lodge Featuring DUGAN and Sage Grey’s Mile High Go-Go Company.
Take a break from the slopes and relax your muscles in a soothing, heated pool with a hot tub. Of course, DUGAN will be spinning tunes to keep the party vibes going strong. The pool party is bigger and better this year with a new venue, The Mountain Lodge, featuring a larger indoor/outdoor space with a heated tent so you can stay warm even with a speedo!
Saturday, March 2 at 10 pm at the Sheridan Opera House Featuring Bears in Space
Close out the week rocking your best sparkly fashion at the historic Sheridan Opera House with a DJ and go-go dancers. Sequins, glitter and everything shiny will make this an epic close to a fantastic week. Let’s get sparkly!
Bring Your Cash And Make It Rain At The Burlesque & Drag Shows
Friday, March 1 at the Sheridan Opera House - Doors at 6:30 pm/Show at 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 2 at the Sheridan Opera House Doors at 6:30 pm/Show at 7:00 pm
Telluride Gay Ski Week is excited to present a one-of-a-kind show in conjunction with Telluride Theatre combining burlesque dancers and drag queens Suzy Wong, Pattaya Hart, Zhané Dawlingz, Sunny Dee-Lite, Geo and a pit crew of go-go dancers from Sage Grey’s Mile High Go-Go Company. Join us for a night of elaborate costumes, sensual dancing and striptease from the glorious exotic dancers of The House Of Shimmy Shake alongside death drops, splits, kicks and costume reveals from some of the best drag queens in America.
It’s Brunch, Bitch - A Tongue-Popping, Fan-Flicking, Lip-Syncing Extravaganza
Drag Brunch on Saturday, March 2 at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm at the Mountain Lodge
The brunch will feature fabulous queens Aria PettyOne, Pattaya Hart, Zhané Dawlingz, Sunny Dee-Lite, Geo, Salacious Behavior and Avery Martini dressed in oversized wigs, sparkles, and six-inch heels while lip syncing to your favorite pop diva song - it will be a full-on party and a way for us to celebrate and love each other in a safe space. We’ll also have a crew of stage kittens from Sage Grey’s Mile High Go-Go Company to help with the dollar bills. Now, sashay away!
Fashion Guide - How To Pack For Telluride Gay Ski Week
Telluride Gay Ski Week is right around the corner and it’s almost time to start picking out your outfits and packing!
Yes, you’ll need the requisite outerwear like waterproof ski jackets and pants but there’s so much more! With a week of themed parties, it can’t hurt to have a little guidance. Curated by our staff experts, explore the fashion and packing guide for all the info you need for a week of fashion, fun and more!
Support The Businesses That Support Telluride Gay Ski Week
Meet our allies and supporters and be sure to visit their businesses during Telluride Gay Ski Week
Telluride Gay Ski Week is gearing up for an epic week of skiing, shows, parties and more! Never a solo endeavor, our supporters and allies truly elevate everything that we do. Check out our local supporters below and take advantage of their special offers and make sure to stop by while you’re in Telluride.
Questions? Get In Touch!
For general event questions or info, please email info@telluridegayski.com call (970) 728-8037 or use the button below.
Thank You For Your Support
Thank you to everyone who helps make this event possible!
Town of Telluride and Town Of Mountain Village staff, Telluride Tourism Board, Town Of Mountain Village Owners Association, Town Of Telluride Public Works, and all of our Restaurant and Après-Ski partners, volunteers and staff whose hard work and dedication makes the Telluride Gay Ski Week a success.