There is snow on the mountains, and work is underway to ensure a number of non-skiing events still go ahead in Queenstown for those who have already booked flights and accommodation for Gay Ski Week. A number of people and businesses are working behind the scenes to ensure the welcome mat remains rolled out to gay travellers, after the news the Livewire Group, which runs Gay Ski Week, has gone into voluntary liquidation, two days before the revelry was to begin. The Southern Lakes Lesbian and Gay Society, which was founded last year, is working to see which events can still be run. Reigning Mr Gay New Zealand and Christchurch resident Aaron Comis is among those who have booked a trip to Queenstown and will still make it a holiday. He has taken the initiative of setting up a Facebook group which will share details about events which are continuing as they are confirmed. A venue is currently being sought for a Gay Ski Week dance party. At this stage, it has been confirmed that Queenstown's Got Talent karaoke at SkyCity Queenstown will definitely go ahead on Friday 29 July. Entry is free, but R20, and the night will be hosted by Auckland drag MC Miss Ribena. Gay Ski Week's host hotel Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is working with The Southern Lakes Lesbian and Gay Society to see how it can help: "There are a few people that are stepping up to see if the events can continue and we are meeting them to discuss whether we can assist," says the hotel's General Manager Jim Moore. The hotel is also offering discounted rooms to those who have lost their bookings. NZSki, which runs The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, says it's hard to tell who has booked specifically for Gay Ski Week on its system, as it doesn't differentiate. However CEO James Coddington says there have been no cancellations for the event's time period so he expected people who have planned on coming are still doing so. "It is disappointing for everyone - the organisers, especially Mike who has put a lot of work into this, the supporters/sponsors and of course the participants," he says. "As always we will do our best to deliver the very best product and service we can on our mountains."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 21st July 2011 - 1:42pm