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Western 1 |
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Western Canada most often refers to the vast geographic region of Canada, west of Ontario, that ncludes the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The West, as it is commonly referred to, is home to about one-third of Canada’s population, and includes the modern major urban centres of Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Victoria. These centres have thriving LGBT communities, with year-round activities, annual festivals and events. There are also numerous other smaller urban centres, with active LGBT communities, hosting annual celebrations, and events of interest. To name a few, the communities in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia host the annual Okanagan Pride Festival, and the world-class resort of Whistler, home of WinterPride, Whistler’s Gay Ski Week, attracts visitors from around the world.
Vancouver Vancouver, considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities, is a hip, modern, multicultural oasis, surrounded by temperate rain forests, gorgeous sandy beaches, and a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped majestic mountains. Two million people call metropolitan Vancouver home, and it is one of the most diverse, cosmopolitan urban centres on the planet. Diversity is a welcome part of everyday life, which makes for a comfortable, live and let live urban environment. Vancouver’s LGBT community is a thriving, vital part of the city’s cultural mosaic, with the annual Pride Parade and Festival attracting hundreds of thousands of people each August. 2008 marks the 30th year of celebrating the rainbow in Vancouver, and the Vancouver Pride Society is anticipating close to half a million people to take part in the festivities. Vancouver is also home to the largest gay community in Western Canada, and one of the main focal points of LGBT life is the eclectic Davie Village, located downtown, in an area known locally as the west end. Rainbow banners line the street posts of the 24/7 Village, where the majority of Vancouver’s gay pubs, restaurants and dance bars are located. This is a great starting point for LGBT visitors to Vancouver, and many of the city’s best hotels are located within easy walking access, or a short taxi ride. The more funky Commercial Drive area, located just five minutes east of the central downtown core, is a residential and commercial area, popular with Vancouver’s thriving lesbian community. Known locally as “The Drive,” this former Little Italy neighbourhood has its own unique character, and is jam packed with dozens of cafes, a diverse range of ethnic restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops. The Drive is easily accessed by car or transit. As the third largest film production centre in North America, Vancouver has been the location for numerous big screen Hollywood productions and television series, including the highly successful L Word series. Vancouver also is home to Out on Screen, Vancouver’s queer film and video festival, which are proudly celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. Same-sex marriage was legalized in British Columbia on July 8, 2003, and since that time, numerous couples from around the world have made Vancouver their destination of choice, when deciding on a location to take their vows. Vancouver is also being recognized by the international LGBT travel community, and was named the #1 Canadian travel destination of choice, in both the 2006 and 2007 survey of gay and lesbian travellers, conducted by San Francisco based Community Marketing. Excitement is also running high in Vancouver and nearby Whistler, as they prepare to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. There has never been a better time to plan a visit to this beautiful, and fascinating part of Canada.
WHISTLER Whistler Village, a world renowned, world-class ski resort located within two hours of downtown Vancouver, is easily accessed by car, motor coach, rail and air. Whistler and its resort partners are regularly rated #1 in North America on numerous levels by such prestigious publications as Conde Nast Traveler, Freeskier Magazine and Skiing Magazine among others. Over 7,000 acres of skiable terrain on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains can be reached directly via lifts originating in the heart of Whistler Village, just steps from major hotels.Whistler is also world renowned for the annual gay ski week each February, known as WinterPride, featuring tours, après ski parties, live entertainment, a dance-til-dawn Ball and more. For additional information: www.gaywhistler.com . Whistler Village is world-class in every sense, with fabulous accommodations, excellent restaurants and pubs, a thriving nightlife and shopping galore. What is not as commonly known is that Whistler is fast becoming famous as a full-service, year-round destination, featuring world-class golf courses, river rafting, horseback riding and a multitude of other exciting outdoor adventures. Excitement is also building as Whistler prepares to co-host the 2010 Winter Olympics. |
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WESTERN
