Instead of people roaming around Whistler Village with Canadian, American, German or other national flags wrapped around their shoulders like during the Olympics, it’s more likely you’ll see people draped in rainbow flags this week.

WinterPRIDE, the 18th annual gay ski week, is now underway and you’ll find rainbows everywhere from store windows to the banners on Village Gate Boulevard. Nobody needs to wallow in the post-Olympic letdown with the pride party in town.

Dean Nelson, CEO of festival producer Gay Whistler, is inviting everyone to “get your pride on” this week with activities and parties galore from the MountainTOP Snowball dinner and dance to cocktail seminars, guided ski sessions, workouts at the Core and more. Having started on Monday (March 1), WinterPRIDE continues through Sunday (March 7).

“Get out there; show your pride,” Nelson said. “Show the world that we’re proud of embracing diversity.”

WinterPRIDE headquarters and guest relations is Pride House, the gay-, lesbian-, transgender- and bisexual (GLBT)-friendly Olympic pavilion that’s been open daily in the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre hotel since Feb. 8. Anyone looking to buy tickets to events (or rainbow flags, for that matter), or just find a relaxing, social place to hangout is welcome to stop by between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

With the 2010 Olympics having taken over many local venues, including the Whistler Conference Centre where many WinterPRIDE events are usually held, programming is a little different at the festival this year, Nelson said. For example, there was no suitable venue for the popular comedy show, so that event is on hiatus, he said.

But there’s still a ton to choose from for guys and gals. Nelson said the MountainTOP Snowball on Saturday (March 6) will likely be the most popular event of the festival, with guests enjoying a trip up the gondola, dinner and tunes by Grammy-winning DJ and remix master Hex Hector.

The dinner/dance format is new to WinterPRIDE, and Nelson said everyone is welcome.

“All our events are open to everybody,” he said.

Event highlights for today (Thursday, March 4) include a wine mixology seminar at Pride House at 2 p.m., and the Bubbles and Boobies party for the girls with spa treatments, chocolate fondue and more at Solarice starting at 9 p.m. Also tonight is the Pool Party at Meadow Park Sports Centre, featuring a beer garden, swimwear fashion show, a drag performance by Drag Diva Jaylene, and tunes by DJ Tracey Draper.

The GLC is party central for WinterPRIDE, and Nelson said because of a partnership with MuchMusic to use the TV station’s Olympic soundstage, the “lighting and sound experience is going to be like no other.” The GLC is the spot for the Village T-Dance on Friday (March 5) from 3 to 6 p.m. with California-based DJ Mark Bisson, as well as the Snowstorm party with a drag show and go-go boys later that night.

Friday night actually boasts two parties — Snowstorm at the GLC and Furrocious at the Longhorn.

For all the WinterPRIDE details, visit www.gaywhistler.com or stop by Pride House at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre.