About GayWhistler

GayWhistler.com is a year-round promoter of Whistler to the gay and lesbian community and produces and promotes GayWhistler ski week, WinterPRIDE every year. Alpenglow Productions Corporation (APC) is a gay and lesbian travel and event company creating gay-welcoming destinations and events at partner resorts. The GayWhistler/Alpenglow Team, in partnership, is dedicated to bringing alternative vacation options to the gay and lesbian community worldwide.

We have visited most of the gay resort destinations in the world and nothing can compare to all Whistler has to offer. Though Whistler is not a gay resort, it is gay friendly and your sexual orientation is not an issue so we invite you to come and enjoy Whistler for one or multiple seasons. GayWhistler officially invites you to come to Whistler, B.C 365 days a year.

Who We Are

Dean Nelson – CEO, Community & Media Relations
Dean is a fifteen year veteran of Whistler and enjoys sharing this very special mountain destination with as many people as he can.  He loves to shred it up on Whistler with epic face shots in the winter and in the summer hiking around the pristine valley and gorgeous alpine.  On a professional level he has opened six hotels in Vancouver / Whistler and knows how to make things happen and throws a great party.  As a past board member of Vancouver Pride, InterPride 2008 Conference and Executive Producer of Mr. Gay Canada he is committed to the global fight of equality for all humans.  It’s fabulous to be Gay!

 

Ken Coolen – COO, Operation & Finance
Ken is a natural event planner with a strong background in Food & Beverage management; Ken has thrown this energy into many events in Vancouver's gay community over the years. Logistics Coordinator for the AIDS Walk for eight years, Dining Room Coordinator for AccolAIDS since its conception, and recently Dining Room Coordinator for the Fowl Dinner; the list of Ken’s accomplishments is as big as his heart. In his first year with Vancouver Pride, he was swiftly tapped to spearhead the Parade Committee and has successfully grown the parade to over half a million in attendance and nearly 3,000 participants. Keeping a balance of fun and high energy with a reminder that our fight for equality has only just begun has elevated Vancouver Pride as one of the première prides in North America.  He is excited to give something back to the great community that has provided many years of support and friendship.

 

Carson – Manager of Volunteers
Carson a long time resident of Whistler and avid skier with a need for speed is the glue of WinterPRIDE. Carson sits on a variety of Whistler committees including MY Place and AWARE with a passion for preserving the natural beauty of our fragile ecosystem and with that, the discipline of protecting the environment from the management level down to the front line regardless of role. Carson is no stranger to giving back to the community with leading a loyal army of volunteers for various festivals such as Cornucopia, Whistler Film Festival, WinterPRIDE and variety of other events throughout the year.

 

Leigh Cousins and Mandy Randhawa, collectively known as Flygirl bring over 10 years of dedicated party experience to the local Vancouver market with an unsurpassed reputation nationally and internationally. FLYGIRL’S high standard for venue selection is legendary, and their goal is simple, to provide uplifting, memorable and safe events. Flygirl, the club experience of a lifetime!

John Sutherland

John is dedicated to the slopes and LOVES showing off Whistler and sharing his passion for snowsports. As a former ski school director and ski area manager, among other positions, he's got tons of industry experience, which helps create a great guiding program. He's from Seattle, but loves Whistler so much he commutes every weekend. "I can't wait to work with everyone again. I'll see you after the Olympics!"