Around 500 gay and lesbian skiers are expected to celebrate the fifth birthday of Gay Ski Week NZ 2007 in Queenstown in the first week of September. Established in 2003 by Queenstown resident Mike Sanford, the week features an array of on and off mountain events with an accent on après ski. Gay Ski Week NZ is the Southern Hemisphere's biggest gay and lesbian alpine party and opens with the '42BELOW GAYSKIWEEKNZ.COM' 5th Birthday Welcome Party at Bezu restaurant and bar on the 1st of September. Over eight days, the event features five skiing days around the Queenstown region – including a Picnic on the Peak at Coronet Peak with pink bubbly – The DNA Magazine Dinner and Cruise, a saucy set of Gaylick Games at Pog Mahones Irish Pub, several après ski parties at various salubrious venues, a retro dress up bowls evening, a Central Otago wine tour and Queenstown's biggest gay and lesbian gig, the White Out Dance Party – with a new look and theme for 2007. “Yes, we are even taking over the TSS Earnslaw steam ship and flying the rainbow flag,” reveals Sanford. This year, the Crowne Plaza Queenstown is the official home of the event and will host après ski parties and breakfasts in its threesixty bar and restaurant. “We've got a fantastic line up of events and are looking forward to welcoming back many people who come year after year, including Sydney couple Dan and Sean who were at the first gay ski week in 2003 returned in 2005 and will be back for 2007.” Each ski day, the Pink Bus will transport skiers and snowboarder to and from Crowne Plaza Queenstown to the skifield of the day. Sanford says Queenstown is perfect for the event and plans to toast the event's birthday in style with a round of 42Below – the vodka company has once again signed on as sponsor. Event tickets to all paid events are now on sale at the official GSWNZ website at the link below. Ref: Gay Ski Week (m)