Rugby World Cup vs. Gay Ski Week NZ

It could have been a clash of rugby balls and drag queens in Queenstown during September 2011.

Gay Ski Week NZ celebrated its eighth annual event in the adventure capital with 900 attendees and early September has been its regular spot.

However, Queenstown is expecting a massive influx of tourists for the Rugby World Cup in September 2011.

Gay Ski Week NZ organiser Mike Sanford says the rugby teams probably asked for the September date so they could join in the fun.

“Accommodation in Queenstown during September 2011 will be full of rugby crowds wanting to watch men toss their balls around,” he says.

Gay Ski Week NZ has launched new dates for the event as for the event to grow the accommodation must be available.

The dates for Gay Ski Week NZ 2011 are 23 -31 July.

This is the first time Gay Ski Week NZ has moved from its September spot and it has proved to a successful move.

“We had to make a quick decision on the dates as the Host Hotel was full this year and we’ve had a mad rush of people wanting to book for 2011.

“Also bringing the date forward means we only have only eight months till kick off,” Mr Sanford says.

The date change has been a hit with the experienced skiers as July has peak winter conditions.

Gay Ski Week NZ creative director Craig Lawson says the demand is already massive for 2011 and he is finalising the entertainment for the schedule.

“It’s exciting as the event has grown we can expand our global search for top talent,” he says.

Mr Lawson says there is only one downside to moving the event away from the Rugby World Cup.

“It would’ve been interesting to see if any of the rugby players turned up to the DNA Magazine Pool Party - yummy!”

Early Bird Packages are now on sale.

For booking details and the full schedule go to www.gayskiweeknz.com

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