Celebrate 5 days of wintry bliss! The east coasts best and biggest LGBTQ ski event. Winter Rendezvous. Gay Ski Week, Stowe, Vermont Jan 22-26, 2020

2020 Winter Rendezvous celebrates 36 years! Join hundreds of LGBTQ winter enthusiasts for 5 days of world class skiing and boarding at Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont. This fun filled event offers a host of outdoor activities, parties, and entertainment sure to delight avid skiers and non-skiers alike!

The event coincides with Stowe’s Winter Carnival Festival, and attracts hundreds of LGBTQ skiers, riders and winter enthusiasts to the quaint village of Stowe for five days of wintry bliss. Participants experience a diverse lineup of activities and entertainment. Skiing and snowboarding on Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak 4,393 ft., and Spruce Peak offering 116 trails and 39 miles of terrain. World class cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Trapp Family Lodge, the official Nordic Center of Winter Rendezvous. Other outdoor activities include ice skating, horse drawn sleigh rides, snowmobiles, dog sledding, hot tubs and bonfires.

Ski Party Play is the theme of this action packed event. Happenings include the Kick-butt Karaoke party opening, daily on mountain après-ski parties, VIP Bonfire Bash with complimentary selection of cocktails, Vermont craft beer, wine & cheese, courtesy of Green Mountain, Trapp Brewery, The Alchemist, Wildhart, Barefoot Wine and Cabot Cheese, giant indoor pool party at Trapp Lodge with DJ Keith James, Drag Bingo hosted by Vermont’s own House of LeMay, closing Blow Out dance party at the RustyNail Stage with DJ Steve Sidewalk and Live performances by, legendary drag icon, Varla Jean Merman and comedian Jen Kober. There is something for everyone, skiers and non-skiers alike at Winter Rendezvous.

Things to do at Winter Rendezvous

FULL & WEEKEND 2020 PARTY PASSES & SINGLE EVENT TIKETS ON SALE NOW!

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SKI & RIDING AT STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Hit the slopes for world class downhill skiing and snowboarding at Stowe Mountain Resort all week long! Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont offers spectacular skiing not only on one mountain but two: Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, which has the lift-served vertical drop of 2,360 feet and an average annual snowfall of 333 inches. There are 116 trails on Spruce Peak and 39 miles of ski terrain on Mount Mansfield. 

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AT TRAPP FAMILY LODGE

Trapp Family Lodge has 37 miles of groomed trails and 62 miles of backcountry trails suitable for cross-country skiers of all ages and abilities. Pick up all your equipment at our resort’s Nordic Center, which includes a retail shop, and be sure to make the exhilarating trip to Slayton Pasture Cabin where you can warm up on the hearth of a roaring fireplace and replenish your energy with homemade soup, sandwiches, and hot chocolate.

SNOWSHOEING AT TRAPP FAMILY LODGE

Trapp Family Lodge offers ample terrain where you can snowshoe on your own or with a scheduled group tour. Before venturing out onto the trails (or off the trails), take advantage of their expertly taught classes and clinics. They’ll cover everything you need to know about snowshoeing in Vermont, from understanding binding systems and choosing the right clothing to efficient, energy-saving techniques for steep hill climbs. Whether you want to join a group tour or go out on your own, they can help you plan a route that suits your experience and confidence.

DOG SLEDDING IN STOWE

Experience a unique adventure into Vermont’s winter wonderland. Dogsledding is an interactive outdoor experience that’s thrilling for all ages. Stowe offers several options for those interested in dogsledding. Learn how to handle, harness and hitch a team, while enjoying the scenery.

ICE SKATING AT SPRUCE PEAK LODGE

Located just steps from the Spruce Camp Base Lodge, the ice rink at the Spruce Peak Village Center is free to use and open to the public. Bring your own skates, or rentals are available at Stowe Mountain Resort and The Lodge at Spruce Peak. Rink is open daily from 12 – 6 p.m. Operation is subject to change, due to inclement weather.

Topnotch Resort Spa

Treat yourself to a day at the spa! The Topnotch Resort’s award-winning spa spans over 35,000 square feet and offers Private men’s and women’s spa lounges with fireplaces and juice bars, Co-ed sauna and steam room, a 60 foot solarium indoor pool with ample relaxation areas, indoor hot tub with cascading waterfall, an outdoor adult pool (open year-round for ages 18 and over) featuring a Jacuzzi, and much more. A full-service salon A spa boutique with signature Topnotch Spa products, clothing and gifts!

Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum

When you need a break from Stowe Mountain Resort’s slopes, take a peek in this quirky little museum. Nestled in downtown Stowe, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum aims to “collect, preserve and celebrate Vermont’s skiing and snowboarding history.” Items found on display here include various skis, boots and chair lifts. The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum is open between noon and 5 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets cost $5 per person (or $10 per family) and include access to the museum’s seven exhibits, restrooms and a small gift shop.

Ben and Jerry’s Factory

Ben & Jerry’s Waterbury Factory churns out delicious Chunky Monkey, Phish Food and other ice cream flavors in the nearby town of Waterbury, Vermont. Visitors are invited to watch the sweet treat being made on a factory tour, which includes a free sample. Admission costs $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and is free for kids younger than 12. The 30-minute tours are offered every day

Stowe Breweries

Vermont has more breweries per capita than any state in the United States. Stowe is home to some of the best breweries in Vermont.

Grab your Winter Rendezvous tickets here.

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About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.