Photo: Mike Crane / Tourism Whistler
Ready for some spring skiing, free live concerts and mind-bending ski and boarding competitions?
North America’s largest “winter sports, music, arts and mountain culture” festival is coming to Whistler, April 11-April 20. The World Ski and Snowboard Festival features 10 days of world-class competition, free hip hop and electronic dance music shows and, of course, all the skiing and boarding you want at one of the continent’s highest-rated resorts – all just two short hours from Vancouver.
Here’s a peek at what’s in store:
WSSF | Dave Humphreys / dhump.ca
Live sports : Spectator sports offerings range from the heart-pounding to the goofy and absurd. At the World Skiing Invitational , see competitors face off in an adrenaline-packed slopestyle competition and truly jaw-dropping big air jump competition. Equally impressive, the Shred Show sees the world’s best snowboarders compete on a huge, 70-foot table jump. Meanwhile, furry mascots do battle in Mascot Mayhem , while local pets participate in the Whistler Dogfest and roller-skaters face off in roller derby on Super Brawl Sunday .
WSSF | Dave Humphreys / dhump.ca
Music : The motto of the festival is “Party in April; Sleep in May,” so you can bet there’s plenty of live music, DJ performances and club events. Options range from casual apres-ski shows in pubs and bars to big kickoff and closing bashes at the Whistler Conference Center. The highlight is the free outdoor concert series , every day of the festival from 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. in the heart of Whistler Village in Skier’s Plaza. Acts performing include The Glitch Mob, De La Soul, Cut Chemist, the Original Wailers and more.
WSSF | Dave Humphreys / dhump.ca
Arts : Not surprisingly, art shows at the festival focus on adrenaline-pumping ski and snowboard film and photography. At Intersection , see the results after filmmakers are given just seven days to shoot and edit the best five-seven minute short film on the festival. Upping the ante, the Olympus 72hr. Filmmaker Showdown highlights films made in just three days’ time, while the Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown showcases the best action photography from around the world. Other events celebrate the art of live graffiti .
Mike Crane | Tourism Whistler
Hit the slopes : Of course, you can’t forget to leave time for some skiing and boarding of your own. The resort is made up of two separate mountains that rise more than a mile out of Whistler Valley. 8,100 acres of mountain terrain feature runs for skiers and boarders of all levels, with plenty of challenging trails for experts. Throw in balmy temperatures and sunny days and you’ve got a recipe for unparalleled spring skiing.
Has anyone been to the World Ski and Snowboard Fest before? How was it? Let us know below.
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