With just under seven weeks until Gay Ski Week QT 2012 begins, organiser Sally Whitewoods says it is "all go" - ticket sales are booming and bookings are coming from as far afield as the United States and Canada.
Mrs Whitewoods and her wife Mandy stepped in at the 11th hour last year to save the event, after the company that previously organised it was placed in voluntary liquidation in July.
The couple had spent the past year preparing the new-look event, which was as much for the Queenstown community as the gay and lesbian guests.
"We want everyone to support it," Mrs Whitewoods said.
"If you want an event here, you have to support it. That's what I think Winter Festival does so well: people from Queenstown support it.
"Without the locals, it's really hard to make it successful."
Mrs Whitewoods hoped to attract 1000 people to the resort for the seven-day celebration, who would bring with them "the pink dollars", meaning the wider benefit for the community was likely to be significant.
"After this first year, hopefully, we can get an idea of what people tend to spend.
"We haven't really got any take on that yet, [but] it's got to be worth a lot when you know what accommodation is selling for, and how many are coming to events and skiing on top of that."
This year, Cardrona was the major sponsor for on-mountain activities, although a special "Gay Ski Week line" would be set up at Coronet Peak for its Singles Night Skiing event on August 31.
For those who needed a break from the slopes - or were keen for a different kind of apres-ski - Mrs Whitewoods said there were plenty of options.
Included in the programme for the week was the Rocky Horror Night at Dorothy Brown's Boutique Cinema in Arrowtown, with "compulsory fancy dress" and the Casino Royale Gala Evening - a black-tie event being held at the Skyline.
While those events were strictly for Gay Ski Week QT members, the Queenstown community was welcome at any other event, particularly the Wine Down Consumer Evening on August 27, which included wine tasting and the additional option of attending three masterclasses, focusing on regions, wine styles and top labels.
"The Wine Down Consumer Evening is obviously something for the whole community.
"Wine Down happens anyway. It just happens it's through Gay Ski Week [but] it's for all of Queenstown. It's a community event."
Also included in the programme was karaoke at SkyCity Queenstown Casino, the Friday Frolics Party at Dux de Lux and the Mystery Dance Party at the World Bar.
"Ticket sales are going really well. The response seems to be really positive.
"I think it's going to be a case of watch this space and see what happens, but I think it's going well."
• Gay Ski Week QT will be held from August 25 to September 1.
