Annual gay ski festival Winter Pride is taking place in Whistler, Canada from February 3-10, with more than 3,200 skiers and snowboarders expected to attend.

Now in its 16th year, the gay ski festival includes a free ski and snowboard guiding programme, dog-sledding, as well as lectures, cookery classes and parties.

The resort is also gearing up to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, with £35 million being invested in snowmaking machinery and £103 million in the super-fast Peak to Peak Gondola, due to open in December 2008.

Last season the Symphony Amphitheatre, a 1,000-acre expanse of intermediate and advanced terrain, opened on Whistler Mountain, and Whistler Blackcomb resort saw 40% more snowfall than average, boosting visitor numbers.

Whistler Blackcomb chief operating officer Dave Brownlie said: “With the landmark Peak to Peak project under way, the return of the popular Symphony Amphitheatre and a host of other  improvements, this winter promises to be one of the most exciting yet.”