Tue 25 May 2010 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
A Wanaka ski resort manager has stripped down to the bare essentials in a campaign supporting Gay Ski Week. Snow Park NZ operations manager Sam Lee has whipped off his snowsuit and been photographed naked to show his raw enthusiasm for the annual event. Lee says he first got the idea for the campaign in 2009. “I had to take lead and one afternoon stripped down to make it happen,” he says. However, local media would not run the picture, as it was a bit too risqué, so the campaign quickly came to a stop. Lee saw Gay Ski Week NZ 2010 as the perfect opportunity to show all his glory to the world. "It's great to have events such as Gay Ski Week NZ going on in the town and from what I hear it's loads of fun, no matter what team you bat for." Lee said it was loads of fun taking the pictures, but the cold did create a small issue. "We did have a photo from the other side but because of the cold it needed some serious airbrushing and won't be used," he says. There are a series of photographs which involve the staff naked and going around the mountain doing their work, which will be released later in the year. Gay Ski Week NZ 2010 will be held from September 4 – 12 in Queenstown. While there is plenty of action on the slopes, there are also continual events during the day and night – so even those who don't ski can keep busy. On this year's schedule are a Cowboy Dinner, Retro Bowling, Snow Gaymes, Big Gay Out, Karaoke Night, Play Day, Undy Run, Buff Party and the closing White Out Party. Organiser Mike Sanford says bookings are already up on last year, with more than 800 people expected. See the complete Gay Ski Week 2010 schedule on its official website.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 25th May 2010 - 11:01am