Aspen Gay Ski Week, US
The original gay ski festival, now in its 33rd year, held in the former mining town so pathologically fabulous its ski-patrol uniforms were designed by Ralph Lauren. It presents a packed, fairly chilled line-up of films, comedy and music, a "Battle of the Sexual Preferences" ice hockey match, and the Drag Downhill, a cross-dressing ski-off.
• 17-24 January, gayskiweek.com
WinterPRIDE, Canada
In Whistler, Canada's biggest resort, this event is famous for its hard partying, with a programme that's sporty, sophisticated – and wildly hedonistic. Yoga classes, wine tastings, speed dating, cookery lessons and a fashion show are among the more sober options.
• 1-8 March, gaywhistler.com
European Gay Ski Week, France
Closer to home, Tignes in France's vast Espace Killy ski area, will be this year's host resort for the week which drew a crowd of more than 600 in 2009. A strong women's events programme, guest DJs and après session Abba Mountain are among the attractions.
• 20-27 March, europeangayskiweek.com
Swing, Switzerland
Considerably less fruity than its name suggests, this gathering in Lenzerheide cultivates a pipe-and-slippers vibe, adding just a film screening, a fondue dinner and a couple of cabaret evenings to group skiing around 155km of pistes.
• 6-13 March, swing-on.ch
Solden, Austria
Anyone who has sampled après at one of Austria's livelier resorts will know that the locals aren't afraid to party hard. For the last 11 years, Solden has staged this raucous week of sport, boozing, drag cabaret and club nights.
• 20-27 March, gaysnowhappening.com
EuroSki Pride, Austria
This year's launch in Saalbach boasts a performance from Boy George and a huge main stage night with live acts, DJs and fireworks, plus seven sweaty club nights. If the online video trailer is anything to go by – with its butt-naked muscle boys prancing to house tunes in the snow, with only a strategically planted ski for cover – it should be a riot.
• 20-27 March, euroskipride.com
