The Euroskipride event hopes to attract some of Europe's gay community for some fun in the snow.

SkiRebel.com has learned that Saalbach Hinterglemm ski area in Austria will host the leading ski and party week for Europe’s gay community from the 20th to the 27th of March.

The Euroskipride event, new to the leading Austrian resort this winter, will begin with a kick-of “Snowballs and Snowgirls” party then continue with multiple events including a dance session at the top of the Schattberg mountain along with international DJ’s and an evening with Boy George Experience Live, aka Keith George.

“The word ‘gay’ originates from the English vocabulary and is the word to cover, in general, the gay and lesbian world, but is also translated as: colourful, happy, carefree and fun-loving,” said a resort spokesperson. “This will be the motto of the week long event in Saalbach Hinterglemm, with a great social programme and enhanced by the colours of the rainbow.”

BlueTomato Productions Ltd, who are based in England and Madrid, are hosting the event in partnership with the Tourist Office of Saalbach Hinterglemm.

“We are looking forward to this new event which is part of a diverse programme on offer by Saalbach Hinterglemm,” said Wolfgang Breitfuß, Director of the of Saalbach Hinterglemm Tourist Office. “Naturally, economic considerations have also played a role: The number of people who make up the gay community should not be underestimated and are a lucrative market who are especially loyal customers.”

According to the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) the number of travel fanatic gay and lesbians in Germany alone are estimated at 5.5 million.

“Enquiries for this new event are increasing every day from all corners of the globe, not only Europe wide, but also from the USA and South Africa,” said Julie Jenkins, the Tourist Office Project Manager for Euroskipride.

The event is supporting the CWAC project which endeavours to provide children with AIDS a better quality of life. Prominent patrons include George Michael, Simon and Yasmin Le Bon and Christopher Biggins.

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