Snow time on the slopes

Gay and lesbian skiers and snowboarders are set to descend on Victoria’s Mt Hotham this winter for the annual four-day Frosty Fruits ski trip.

Frosty Fruits founder Adam Bold told the Star Observer that, although starting small, he aims to have the event grow to rival international gay and lesbian ski events.

“We want this to become a big event. I’d love to have 400 people on the mountain in a couple of years,” he said.

“While there are a number of community … events around, there isn’t a commercial one and there is nothing of the scale of Gay Ski Week NZ in Australia.

“The intention is we’re trying to build an event that has international standing. This is a 10-year project.”

Bold said the event is an intimate gathering of people with a passion for hitting the slopes, and has grown each year. It is now in its third year.

So far 36 people are booked on a chartered flight from Sydney to attend the event, with around double that expected to attend.

The Frosty Fruits trip is for all levels of skiier or snowboarder, from novice to the more intrepid slope-goer.

“Every year about 40 percent of our participants have not skied before,” Bold said. “It’s very accessible for people.”

Bold said this year he also hopes to attract more women.

“We recognise there are not a lot of events out there for women, so we’re trying to cater for that. Once we get things happening, we can look at things like a women’s program.”

The trip is all-inclusive, so accommodation, food, lift hire, clothing hire and instructors are paid for.

Bold said partners who don’t want to hit the slopes quite so much are also looked after.

And while most Australians have been complaining about recent cold snaps, Bold couldn’t be happier.

“I was very excited it got cold early and they’ve already built a snowman up there,” he said.

“Last year we were there … they had one of the biggest snowfalls since the ’80s. It was fantastic, fresh powder snow every day.

“We’re hoping it will be a really good season this year.”

The Frosty Fruits gay and lesbian ski event runs from August 18 to 21.

info: To book, visit www.pointsofdifference.com and follow the links to Frosty Fruits.