Mt Buller turns pinks for a whiteOUT!
As Mt Buller continues to experience the best snow season it’s had in 20 years, the Victorian alpine resort is again set to host whiteOUT!, Australia’s premier gay and lesbian snow event.
From 26-29 July, Mt Buller’s snow vistas will provide the perfect backdrop for this fun-filled event that offers an action-packed schedule of skiing, social activities and a wide variety of entertainment for its gay and lesbian guests.
‘We first developed whiteOUT! in 1999 in response to the demand from the local gay and lesbian community for a snow-based event,’ said Daniel Lehrer, a member of the volunteer committee responsible for organising the event. ‘Since this time, it has grown year-on-year to become the biggest gay and lesbian snow event in Australia.’
‘With skiing and snowboarding by day and fabulous social events by night, whiteOUT! books out the best venues on the mountain to ensure that all attendees have a great time. We listen to our participants and work with local businesses in order to provide not only great skiing, but also a fun atmosphere for all who attend.’
Highlights of the three-day event include the official whiteOUT! launch party held at Cattleman’s Cafe on the Friday night, various lunch-time and après social events, and a special ski race designed specifically for the group.
‘whiteOUT! delivers a great program of activities that has something to offer everyone, and its reputation has steadily grown,’ said Lehrer. ‘While whiteOUT! has traditionally drawn Victorian based crowds, we are now getting attendees from interstate and have even received enquiries from as far away as Germany and South Africa.’
This year whiteOUT! coincides with Mt Buller’s very own Christmas in July, which whiteOUT! organisers have adopted as the theme of the event. In line with this theme, there will be a stunning White Christmas dinner held at Abom on the Saturday night followed by a lively after-party at Kooroora Hotel, Mt Buller’s favourite night spot.
‘Skiing and snowboarding are really social sports, but for too long gay and lesbian snow enthusiasts have assumed they were alone in their interest and, as a result, some have given up the sport altogether,’ said Lehrer. ‘whiteOUT! provides gays and lesbians of all ages with the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people in a really fun and casual environment and, most importantly, make the most of the awesome snow at Mt Buller!’
‘Mt Buller has already had 83cm of natural snow and it’s only the fourth week of the season, so we can’t wait to see what it’s like when whiteOUT! comes around.’
For further information about whiteOUT! please email info@whiteout.org.au. To register for the event or to book any aspects of the holiday, contact High Country Reservations on 1800 039 049.
