Announcing The 2025 Lineup
Winter is in full swing at the world-class ski destination of Telluride, Colorado as Telluride Gay Ski Week (TGSW) releases their lineup of performers. Set for February 22 - March 1, 2025, the LGBTQ+ winter celebration of outdoor recreation will feature Olympian Gus Kenworthy, live performances from Horse Meat Disco, Bears in Space, DAD SF, Perfect Lovers, Drag Queens Suzy Wong, Raja Gemini, Willam and Pattaya Hart, AJA Dancers, stand-up comedians Sam Morrison: SUGAR DADDY and special guests to be announced, Telluride Theatre's House of Shimmy Shake Burlesque Performers, Sage Grey's Mile High Go-Go Company Dancers and more.
“We are honored to have such a dynamic array of LGBTQ+ artists and personalities join us in our third year as the producers of Telluride Gay Ski Week”, said Steve Gumble, Event Director. “Our partnership with hometown hero, icon and Olympic medalist Gus Kenworthy continues as he returns in the role of event host. We are also excited to welcome back familiar faces like Suzy Wong and Bears In Space while we welcome some incredible new talent like the legendary DJ collective Horse Meat Disco and Drag Race’s Raja Gemini and Willam. Having these artists come to our little mountain town is a big honor and these shows are not to be missed!"
These artists, performers and personalities are set to join TGSW attendees for a week full of spectacular evening shows, on-mountain events, culinary experiences, après-ski parties and more.
Improved Events & New Venues for 2025
After two years of continued growth, TGSW has partnered with the Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association to expand into a new venue, the Telluride Conference Center. The larger space will accommodate more attendees during the evening events and will also serve as a central meeting place throughout the week to pick up tickets, browse the merch store and explore the pop-ups from TGSW partners. The venue will host all the TGSW evening events and après-ski from Wednesday to Saturday.
The pool party, an event favorite, has also received a facelift and upgraded to a larger venue, the Peaks Resort & Spa. The Peaks is the largest spa in Colorado, featuring a heated, indoor-to-outdoor pool, roman tubs, and hot tubs.
Events
The 2025 TGSW schedule of events is highlighted by daily après-ski gatherings with a dynamic lineup of evening performances and parties during the second half of the week (Weds-Sat) including the Burlesque & Drag Show, Glitter Ball featuring Horse Meat Disco, The White Party featuring Bears In Space, The Hoedown featuring Perfect Lovers & DAD SF, the Pool Party featuring DUGAN & DONNI3 and more. During the first half of the week, après-ski will be held at Communion Wine Bar, The Wood Ear, Stronghouse Brewpub and Altezza at the Peaks to showcase some of Telluride and Mountain Village’s best bars and breathtaking views. During the second half of the week, Après-ski will be held at the Telluride Conference Center, featuring special host Gus Kenworthy and lively DJs including DUGAN & DONNI3, kidpeace and DJ Leaux. Highlighting the charm of the destination, attendees can also enjoy The Gay Sleigh, a horse-drawn sleigh ride with a ranch-to-table Spanish Basque dinner, a Historical Walking Tour and daily dinner recommendations from restaurants that are proud to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Continuing the cherished partnership with the Telluride AIDS Benefit (TAB), the opening night of TGSW coincides with the closing night of the TAB Fashion Show Gala and the TAB Fashion Week Wrap Party. A highlight of the winter for many, the Fashion Show fundraiser is considered one of Telluride's best productions and has been regarded as a “Broadway Pop-Up” and "Cirque du Soleil meets New York Fashion Week". The evening will kick off with a collaborative Après-ski event hosted by Communion Wine Bar where TGSW attendees can interact with Fashion Show models and designers.
TGSW presents a one-of-a-kind Burlesque & Drag Show featuring elaborate costumes, sensual dancing and striptease from the exotic dancers Miss Lovevontopp, Sapphire, Cheeky Dee of Telluride Theatre’s The House Of Shimmy Shake alongside death drops, splits, kicks and costume reveals from drag queens Suzy Wong, Raja Gemini, Willam Belli, Pattaya Hart and performance dancers from AJA Talent. The show will feature the “Hoedown” after party with DJs Perfect Lovers & DAD SF.
For those night owls looking to keep the fun going, The Alibi will serve as the official Late Night Lounge for attendees to kick back and relax in a cozy, modern lounge located in the heart of downtown Telluride. With fun events and warm ambiance, the Lounge offers a comfy space to meet friends, recount the day’s events, and plan out fun activities.
On-Mountain Events
Home to more than just skiing, the slopes will host on-mountain festivities with a signature flare, highlighted by the Ski Parade and Dancing On The Deck where attendees can dress up in costumes and ski down to Gorrono Ranch with other attendees and a massive pride flag where CASTLE will be spinning party tunes. Gorrono Ranch will also serve as the venue for an exclusive on-mountain daily gathering place, playfully named the Gay Chalet. The cozy, rustic western-style cabin will offer a welcoming opportunity to take a trip back in time and warm up next to a wood stove while meeting new friends and enjoying special cocktails with craft spirits from event partner Hotaling & Co.
With a nod to the legendary on-mountain champagne parties of Europe, TGSW will recreate a similar experience at the Sweet Madness Dance Party at Bon Vivant, one of Telluride Ski Resort’s best restaurants. French dining, panoramic alpine views and dancing with music will make this a party to not miss.
Culinary Experiences
TGSW is thrilled to partner with Telluride Sleighs & Wagons to offer an intimate dining experience unlike anything else - The Gay Sleigh. The evening features a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the historic Aldasoro family ranch to an authentic sheep-herders tent followed by a ranch-to-table Spanish Basque-style dinner prepared by Chef Graeme Charles. The ranch offers sweeping, panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains.
Each evening TGSW highlights some of the destination’s best culinary talent with its dining partners The Grand, The Cosmopolitan, Esperanza's Tequilas, The National, Kazahana and 221 South Oak. The National has teamed up with James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist Arnold Myint (aka Drag Queen Suzy Wong) for a special dinner Thursday, February 26.
2025 Telluride Gay Ski Week Lineup:
Host: Gus Kenworthy
DJs: Horse Meat Disco, Bears in Space, DAD SF, Perfect Lovers, DUGAN, D0NN13, kidpeace, DJ Leaux, CASTLE
Comedians: Sam Morrison: Sugar Daddy, Special Guest TBA
Drag Queens: Suzy Wong, Raja Gemini, Willam Belli, Pattaya Hart, Aria PettyOne, DaVaiVai, Mix Trix, Jaided, Slymm Jymm
AJA Dancers: Pollux, Jesse Hoisington, Ethan Kirschbaum, Christopher Kelley
Telluride Theatre's House of Shimmy Shake Burlesque Dancers: Miss Lovevontopp, Sapphire, Cheeky Dee
Sage Grey's Mile High Go-Go Company: Baxter, Billy Upchurch, Cody Moore, Yoshi, Sapphire, Vixen D’Amore, Miss Daddy Long Legs
Tickets
4-Day Passes, Single-Event Tickets and discount lift tickets are on sale now. The 4-Day Pass comes with daily access to the Gay Chalet, daily access to Après-Ski, Stand-Up Comedy Show, Comedy After-Party, White Party, Burlesque & Drag Show, Hoedown, Pool Party (options with and without) and Glitter Ball. Skiers and snowboarders can save $46 each day on 1-3 days of skiing and $56 each day on 4+ days of skiing. Lift tickets do not need to be used consecutively but are only valid for a 10-day window from February 22 - March 3. All lift ticket purchases must be accompanied by event ticket purchases to TGSW. For information or to purchase tickets, click here. To purchase tickets by phone, call (970) 728-8037.
About Telluride Ski Resort
Skiers, snowboarders and winter enthusiasts from the LGBTQ+ community will gather and enjoy 2,000 skiable acres with alps-like vertical of over 4,400 feet of terrain with wide beginner runs, gladed tree skiing, multiple terrain parks, playful groomed blues, open bowls, steeps, chutes, inbounds hike-to, and some of the most advanced terrain in Colorado. For those new to the terrain or looking to make some friends while making some turns, guided ski-groups will be available. Not just for skiers, Telluride Gay Ski Week invites all to celebrate the magic of wintertime in the San Juan Mountains. Recommended alternate activities include yoga, spa activities, snowshoeing, nordic skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, fat tire biking, horseback rides, museum tours, fishing and more.