boiMAGazine "Holiday Ski Adventure"

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Whistler Pride & Ski Festival
British Columbia, Canada

The award winning resort of Whistler & Bar, and Alta Bistro just to name a
Blackcomb is all set to host the 26th few. During Whistler Pride the Bearfoot
annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival Bistro’s Ketel One Ice Room (Vodka
January 21-28, 2018. Whistler Pride tasting) is always a big hit. Last year the
is one of the largest in the world and festival offered a special wine paired
biggest in Canada attracting men dinner at the Cellar by Araxi which sold
and women from 26+ countries for out in three weeks. We are excited to
the weeklong celebrations on and off reveal this year’s special dining events
the slopes. The festival has four key in early December!
elements that include: Sports, Culinary, Whistler Pride is the first mountain
Health & Wellness, and Entertainment.  resort to offer a pride parade that
Every day Whistler Pride assembles starts on the mountain where parade
a gaygal of experienced skiers participants ski down the mountain
and snowboards ready to take the with Rainbows, Trans Flags and colour
snomosexuals out on the slopes of costumes and then marches through
Whistler and Blackcomb. The Whistler the village to the Whistler Olympic
Pride ski/snowboard guides expertly Plaza. It was in February 2010 when
place the pride guests into similar Whistler Pride and the Pride House
skiing/riding abilities so everyone can team marched for the first time during
enjoy the awesomeness of the 8,176 the Winter Olympics to hold a press
acres this skier’s paradise has to offer conference to defend Johnny Weir after
(It is North America’s biggest ski resort homophobic remarks made by Olympic
so it can be a wee bit intimidating Sports commentators. The tradition
on where to ski). There is no other ski continues and every year the parade
guide program like it on the planet and grows and becomes more and more
is one of the key events that truly sets colourful.
this gay ski week apart from all others.  In total Whistler Pride offers eight days
Other sporting events at Whistler and over 65 events that showcases
Pride include a daring slide on the some of the best queer talent
world’s fastest track, the Whistler internationally and locally. This year
Sliding Centre, where you have Whistler Pride welcomes back The Cube
the opportunity to try your skills at Guys (Italy) as the headliner for the
skeleton or bobsled and imagine main event on Saturday, January 27th
yourself at the Winter Olympics! A at Snowball26 - a mega dance party
fan favourite is whipping through closing out the week long celebration.
the forest on a zipline where you can Making his Canadian debut is Superstar
chase your friend on parallel lines with DJ/Producer GSP (Greece) headlining
SuperFly Ziplines. Whistler Pride also the naughty and bit racy Furrocious
offers snowmobile tours, dog sledding, Military Bear Ball on Friday, January
Nordic Skiing and snowshoeing.  26th. Join us January 21-28, 2018. For
Whistler is well known for its award more information visit gaywhistler.com 
winning restaurants including the
Bearfoot Bistro, Araxi, 21-Steps Kitchen



Best U.P. Ski Resorts

Mount Bohemia

Instead of heading west, head north this winter and test your skills at the
freshest powder the Midwest has to offer. Mount Bohemia is all natural snow
with no grooming and boasts steep runs and expert terrain that challenge
even the best skiers. Bohemia is now home to Voodoo Mountain, the only
Snowcat Mountain in the Midwest. The resort is a magnet for Midwestern
backcountry skiers seeking serious terrain without breaking the bank for a trip
out West. Season passes cost $99 and a stay in the yurt-hostel is $35 a night.

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BBilgacSknjaocwk RMeosuonrttain & Indianhead Mountain

It’s no surprise that Big Snow Resort in Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula is one of the most popular places to ski in the
Midwest. Mile long runs give skiers a big air experience and
the three terrain parks give snowboarders rugged courses
rival to western mountains. With an annual snowfall of
more than 17 feet and two mountains to choose from, Big
Snow offers 410 skiable acres, 56 trails, and 15 lifts with
plenty of activities off the slopes. Round out your stay with
a the chance to ice skate, snowmobile, snowshoe, sit by a
Saturday night bonfire or find yourself in a Yeti Snow Fort.

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boiMAG 11

Marquette Mountain

Dubbed the Boulder of the Midwest, Marquette Michigan has a reputation of
getting buried in snow from time to time. Marquette Mountain receives an
average of 19 feet of snow each season. Just five minutes from Marquette’s lively
downtown, skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can take full advantage of
the region’s notorious lake-effect snow. Whether you want moguls, glades, long
cruising runs, a terrain park, halfpipe, or a racecourse, Marquette Mountain has
it covered. The mountain also stays open until 10 p.m. for night skiing Tuesday
– Sunday. Although there isn’t lodging at the base of Mount Marquette, there are
plenty of hotels in the area.
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on the Bromo Mountain When I asked Whitman about the exciting new
events he has in store for Elevation Mammoth’s
Chad Callaghan Sweet Sixteen year, he was a bit coy: “We
“What are we going to do this weekend?” have a few surprises coming up for the Sweet
“I guess… go out in Boystown?” Sixteen , and I can’t tell you all of them.” Clearly,
–every Chicago gay. he understands the art of keeping a boy in
Admit it, you know you’ve had that suspense.
conversation. You probably had it last Friday,
Thursday if you’re a “planner.” I hate to break That right there is Elevation in a nutshell – it’s
it to you, but the gays of Chicago have been as much about the moguls as it is about the
having that same exchange for at least the last mashups. The music promises to be massive
16 years. Yes, we love parties. Yes, we love hot this year, with Whitman unleashing his familiar
dudes and dirty beats. But no, we do not love roster of heavy hitters on the mountain to spin
the status quo. us into a sweat: DJ Josh Peace, The Perry Twins,
Gays Crave Adventure. That’s the sentiment that DJ Blacklow, DJ Dawna Montell, and DJ Casey
prompted Tom Whitman to look northward Alva.
and upward, 10,000 feet upward to be exact.
16 years ago, the White Knight of LA Nightlife Over 2,500 guys from SoCal and across the
hoped that his horde of homos would follow country will flock to Mammoth Lakes this
him to the hills. And follow him they did. March hoping to get a taste of that sweet,
In the decade-and-a-half since Whitman first athletic action. (Yes, I’m still talking about
schemed up his 4-day ski soirée, Elevation Gay snowboarding.)
Ski Week has become the gold standard of gay
getaways. Its legendary status is due, in large Coming into its 8th year, the February Elevation
part, to Whitman’s uncanny ability to be always event in Park City has really come into its own
dependable but never predictable. with over 1000 guys, multiple ski resorts, and
Whether it’s Elevation Mammoth - the crown 7300 acres of the most pristine slopes in the
jewel of gay ski weeks - or Mammoth’s 8-year- country in one resort alone. The Elevation brand
old brother in Park City, you know exactly what has developed such a cult following among
you’re getting into with an Elevation event: sassy ski bunnies and homo board bros that
superb slopes for shredding, damn-good DJs diehards have begun listing both stops as “can’t
for dancing, and fun feisty dudes for… having miss” on their winter to-do lists. You’ll recognize
a nice conversation by the fire ;) a couple of Whitman’s signature DJs (Josh
Whitman’s magic lies in his ability to give Peace, Casey Alva) on the Park City playlist.
people those expected extravaganzas that
we look forward to every year (the Onesie With just how easy it is to travel to Park City
Party, the Rock ‘N Bowl), mixed in with just the (it’s only a 30 minute drive from the Salt Lake
right number of new tricks pulled from his airport), it’s no surprise that Elevation Utah is
waterproof snowboarder sleeves. picking up major steam. The artsy downtown
“I’m super excited about the 16th anniversary vibe of Park City combined with killer skiing
of Elevation Mammoth,” says Whitman, “and and Utah boys with killer bods make this stop
not just because Sweet Sixteen is a good kryptonite for bromos and those who love
excuse to add some new elements and shake them.
things up a bit.  It’s also amazing because so
many people who attend have been coming Which brings me to my final (just the) tip: As
5, 10 and even all 16 years.  It’s become part much fun as it is to shred the mountain before
of the gay culture, certainly in California. And shredding the dance floor, you can have a
Elevation Utah has really come into its own. helluva time at Elevation even if you aren’t
Every year, more and more guys come from a skier or a boarder. Take a lesson with all of
around the country and around the world. and the other SoCal boys who’ve never seen a
an event can’t ask for anything better than snowflake. Can you imagine a better start to
that.” a gay romantic comedy than tumbling down
the hill only to land in the arms of a mountain?
Otherwise, browse the shops in Mammoth
Village, take a soak in the hot tub, explore the
snowshoeing trails, and meet up with all the
sporty shorties at the 10k Apres wearing your
snazziest green Christmas Sweater (it’s Saint
Patrick’s Day)!
boiMAG 15







10 City ICE RINKS:

Maggie Daley Outdoor Skating Ribbon
337 E. Randolph St.
Skate rental stops 30 minutes before close.
Hours: Mo-Th: 12:00 PM-8:00 PM,
Fr: 12:00 PM-10:00 PM,
Sa: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Su: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM,
(312) 552-3000
McFetridge Indoor Ice Rink
McFetridge Sports Center
3843 N. California Ave.
(773) 478-2609
McKinley Ice Rink
McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
(312) 747-5992
Midway Outdoor Ice Rink
Midway Plaisance Park
1130 Midway Plaisance North
(312) 745-2470
Morgan Park Sports Center Indoor Ice Rink
Park No. 577 at 11505 S. Western Ave.
(773) 840-4622
Mt. Greenwood Outdoor Ice Rink
Mt. Greenwood Park 3721 W. 111th St
(312) 747-3690
Riis Outdoor Ice Rink
Riis Park 6100 W. Fullerton Ave.
(312) 746-5735
Rowan Outdoor Ice Rink
Rowan Park: 11546 S. Avenue L
(773) 646-1967
Warren Outdoor Ice Rink
Park: Warren Park 6601 N. Western Ave.
(773) 761-8663
Wentworth Outdoor Ice Rink
Wentworth Park 5625 S. Mobile Ave.
(312) 805-3936

boiMAG 19

(Continued on following pages)

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22 boiMAG





In The Know... on the go...

Enjoy the 104th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Washington St. and Monroe St.
and the opening of the McCormick Tribune Ice Free admission; skate rental is $12 Mon–Thu
Rink and the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating and $14 Fri–Sun/Holidays.
Ribbon on November 17. Don’t miss Caroling millenniumpark.org
at Cloud Gate, the Dance-Along Nutcracker, the
Wreathing of the Lions, Do-It-Yourself Messiah, C  aroling at Cloud Gate
gingerbread house decorating and more.
Featuring your favorite seasonal traditions, Fridays, November 24–December 15, 6–7pm
ice skating, music, exhibitions and family fun, Millennium Park, at the Cloud Gate sculpture
Millennium Park will be the epicenter of holiday Bundle up and belt out some holiday classics as
fun in Chicago. local Chicago choral groups lead hundreds of
Topping the list is the 104th Annual Christmas celebrants in song. Free admission.
Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November www.millenniumpark.org
17, in Millennium Park at Washington St. and
Michigan Ave. at 6pm. D  ance-Along Nutcracker
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium
Park will open earlier in the day on Friday, Sunday, December 3, Dance Lessons at 11am
November 17, at noon, with skating continuing & 2pm; Performances at noon & 3pm
through March 4, 2018. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
There’s more skating and family fun just across Sugar plum fairies and mouse kings of all ages
the BP Bridge at the Skating Ribbon in Maggie and abilities are invited to point their toes to the
Daley Park. The Wreathing of the Lions has familiar music of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.
been a tradition at the Art Institute of Chicago Optional beginner lesson by Ballet Chicago
for more than 25 years, watch on November precedes each performance. The Dance-Along
24 as cheery holiday wreaths are placed on the Nutcracker, created in 1985, is the property
regal lion statues on the museum steps (where of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom
they’re up all season), then head inside for art- Band, the world’s first openly gay musical
making activities. And you won’t want to miss organization. Free admission.
the Dance-Along Nutcracker at the Chicago www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
Cultural Center on December 3rd with dance
lessons and live music for children of all ages M  aggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon
and abilities under the world’s largest Tiffany
stained-glass dome. Opens November 17, weather permitting
Bundle up and get ready to belt out some Mon–Thu, noon–8pm; Fri, noon–10pm; Sat,
holiday classics during Caroling at Cloud Gate. 10am–10pm; Sun, 10am–8pm
This festive series is part concert, part sing- Ugly Sweater Skate, December 9, 10am–10pm
along at Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” on Fridays, Skate with Santa, December 16, 10am–noon
November 24 through December 15. Concerts Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph St.
are free and scheduled from 6 until 7pm, Among the “alpine in a city,” lace up your skates
weather permitting. and enjoy an ice skating experience unlike any
Admission is FREE to all Millennium Park holiday events other on a path of ice winding through the
and supported by the Chicago Transit Authority. rolling landscape. Free admission; skate rental is
$12 Mon–Thu and $14 Fri–Sun/Holidays.
M  cCormick Tribune Ice Rink www.maggiedaleypark.com

November 17–March 4, weather permitting H  oliday Thorne Miniature
Mon–Thu, noon–8pm; Fri, noon–10pm; Sat, Rooms and Neapolitan Crèche
10am–10pm; Sun, 10am–9pm
Millennium Park, at Michigan Ave. between November 18–January 7
Open daily 10:30am–5pm; Thursday until 8pm
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.
The Art Institute’s Thorne Miniature Rooms
are once again decked out with tiny seasonal
trimmings that offer a window into festivities
from a Victorian Christmas to a traditional
Chinese New Year.
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boiMAG 25







In The Know... on the go...

(continued) Gingerbread House Decorating Party
The spectacular Neapolitan crèche is one of
the few and finest examples found outside Sunday, December 17, 1–4pm
of Naples. Free for children under 14 and The Park Grill at Millennium Park, 11 N.
Chicago residents under 18. Michigan Ave. Enjoy decorating a gingerbread
www.artic.edu house complete with candy, icing treats and a
hot chocolate bar. Free admission, $25 for each
W  reathing of the Lions gingerbread house.
www.parkgrillchicago.com
Friday, November 24, 10am
Art Institute of Chicago entrance, 111 S. D  o-It-Yourself Messiah
Michigan Ave. Kick off the holidays at the
26th anniversary of this Chicago family December 18 & 19, 7pm
favorite. After adorning the lions on the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in
historic Michigan Avenue steps with their Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St.
traditional holiday wreaths, move inside at Celebrating its 42nd year, the Do-It-Yourself
10:30am for wreath-making fun inspired by Messiah brings together a world-class
the museum’s collection. Wreathing of the conductor and soloists, an all-volunteer
Lions is a free event. orchestra of local professionals and amateur
www.artic.edu musicians and you, with the other 1,500
audience members, in a thrilling performance
LW  uorrieksGhaorpden Bird Feeder of Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah. $15 per ticket.
www.harristheaterchicago.org
December 10, 1–3pm  
Millennium Park, Lurie Garden at Monroe
St. and Columbus Dr. Learn about the birds The Chamber Music Society of
that remain here in the winter months Lincoln Center
and help them find much needed food. Brandenburg Concertos
Each family will make one bird feeder;
recommended for ages 6 to 12 years old. December 20 / 7:30pm
Free, advance registration avail. Harris Theater for Music and Dance in
www.luriegarden.org Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St.
  CMS’s presentation of the complete
Brandenburg Concertos performed one-on-
CONCIERTO NAVIDEÑO /  a-part at the Harris has become “a fixture of
CHRISTMAS CONCERT the holiday season in downtown Chicago”
according to the Chicago Tribune. Don’t miss
Thursday, December 14, 2017 the performance which is an essential year-end
Harris Theater for Music and Dance in musical tradition. Tickets start at $30
Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St. www.harristheaterchicago.org/tickets/2017-
Samuel del Real’s Latin Quintet will 2018-season/cms2-brandenburg
perform a series of international Christmas www.harristheaterchicago.org and
songs such as Have yourself a Merry
Little Christmas, El Burrito Sabanero, The H  olly Days
Christmas Song, and much more. They
will discuss the instruments that create December 27–30, 10:30am–3pm
these expressive sounds and where they Art Institute of Chicago, Ryan Learning Center,
originated.  There is lots of student/artists 159 E. Monroe St. Take inspiration from the
interaction.  Share the joy as this ensemble exhibition Rodin: Sculptor and Storyteller and
enhances students’ understanding of and create a work of art with your family.
enthusiasm for music. Admission to the Art Institute’s Ryan Learning
www.harristheaterchicago.org Center is free and museum admission is always
  free for kids under 14 and for those Chicago
residents under 18.
www.artic.edu

boiMAG 29