Stowe Vermont Gay Ski Week 2012 - Winter Rendezvous 2012

Although the majority of North America's gay ski weeks take place in the West (think Aspen, Park City, Whistler), the charming and picturesque town of Stowe, Vermont has been hosting its own increasingly popular gay ski gathering for more than two decades. Winter Rendezvous takes place over four days in late January (Jan. 18 through 22 in 2012).

Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Stowe during Gay Pride.

This year's Winter Rendezvous is the 28th anniversary of the event. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, the festival features plenty of other outdoorsy activities, including snowshoeing and dog-sledding. Plus there are the social goings-on - parties (a classic disco ball one night, a blow-out house party the next), social mixers, dances, and entertainment - Miss Richfield 1981, comedian Shawn Pelofsky, DJ Harrison, and plenty of others appeared at last year's event.

Last year, Stowe gay ski week's official host hotel is the elegant Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa. Other properties in town offering special lodging deals during Winter Rendezvous include the gay-owned Arbor Inn Stowe Motel & Snowdrift Inn (an excellent value with nice room), the mid-priced Sun and Ski Inn, and the 10-room Timberholm B&B, a romantic and handsomely decorated option that's a good bet if you plan to spend much time in your room. Details about 2012 accommodations will be posted as they become available.

For general tourism information on Stowe, check out the website of the Stowe Chamber of Commerce