December 25, 2012
Killington Winter Pride Names LGBTQ Center as Beneficiary
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Burlington, VT - The organizers of Killington Winter Pride announced that the Vermont-based, RU12? Community Center has been selected as the principle nonprofit beneficiary for the 2013 event scheduled for February 1 - 3, 2013.
RU12? Community Center celebrates, educates, and advocates with and for LGBTQ Vermonters. They offer a wide range of programs from social and educational events to health and wellness programs to direct services and advocacy.�
"We are thrilled to team up with an organization that has demonstrated such a strong and long-standing commitment to the LGBTQ community here in Vermont," said Megan Skiles, founder and Event Director of Killington Winter Pride.
The Gay Network Alliance of Riders (G.N.A.R.) and RU12? Community Center are partnering to produce Winter Pride in an effort to promote wellness, diversity, social engagement, winter sports and pride.�
"Working with Killington Winter Pride has been amazing. Their vision for Winter Pride is just so inclusive and celebratory of the LGBTQ community," said Kim Fountain, Executive Director of RU12?. "The Center works with communities throughout Vermont and we continually hear from them that they want more LGBTQ-focused events and spaces. This event is providing exactly that on a really big scale."
Killington Winter Pride is a fun-filled weekend aimed to celebrate the LGBTQ movement. The three-day event will feature an exciting lineup of on-snow activities, Pride parties and live entertainment. Event festivities will take place at Killington Resort, the largest ski resort in Eastern North America. The Resort boasts 71 miles of skiable terrain or 140 trails, six terrain parks and a superpipe spread across six peaks with 22 lifts. For those who might not ski or ride, there is a Tubing Park, snowcat-drawn sleigh rides and spa services.
Conveniently located in the heart of Vermont, just hours from Massachusetts and New York, Killington Winter Pride hopes to draw locals and guests throughout the East Coast.
G.N.A.R., also known as Gay Network Alliance of Riders, is the official marketing and tourism organization for Winter Pride. Their mission is to bring together the LGBT community and its allies through the vehicle of winter sports. G.N.A.R. is committed to promoting equality, wellness, diversity, social engagement, winter sports and pride.
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Killington Resort is a four season destination that sits on 3,000 acres in the heart of the Green Mountains in Central Vermont. The Resort boasts more than 70 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread out over six peaks and offers the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in the East.
After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course as well as 45 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. In addition, the numerous apr�s, dining, shopping and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for over 50 years.
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For more information or to register for this year's event, visit www.GnarWinterPride.com
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
