What It’s Like to Be a Go-Go Dancer in a Ski Town Where the Party Never Ends
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What It’s Like to Be a Go-Go Dancer in a Ski Town Where the Party Never Ends

“Whistler is like Never Never Land for adults.”

While Whistler has a reputation as a party town, you won't find a strip club there. (Not these days anyway, the last one closed years ago.) Some of the dance clubs have so many stripper poles you'd think they employed strippers, but those tend to be used by patrons—both men and women—instead.

However, there are a number of go-go dancers working in Whistler whose job it is to perform for hoards of locals and tourists alike, including the Americans who invade on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, in the Canadian ski town where the party never seems to end. VICE interviewed a few women who have been go-go dancers in Whistler to see what it's like to have that job in a town where weekdays and weekends seem to blend into one another.

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Kassa Nova, former Whistler go-go dancer

VICE: Why did you move to Whistler?
Kassa Nova: Why did I move to Whistler? Why does anyone move to Whistler? I didn't exactly plan ahead for it—I just booked a one-way ticket and hoped for the best. I wasn't an outdoors, athletic ski bum like the rest of the town. I just liked to party. I had a friend who offered up the idea, and I jumped on it. And as much as it almost killed me, I wouldn't change it for a second.

I was a dancer for about a year before I gave it up in Whistler… I do still pursue it a bit in [Vancouver], but the party will never be the same.

What was your favourite part of being a go-go dancer in Whistler?
My favourite part was the party, inevitably. Whether or not I was a dancer, everyone was there for the same reason. As much as I loved to dance, it was the party that got me on the podium or the countertop, or the pool table or speakers. I go-go danced on top of everything. No shame. I also really hate pants, so that was definitely another favourite for me.

What do you do for work now?
I currently manage a gym in Vancouver. It's not nearly as interesting, and I have to wear pants. I hate pants.

What are some of the strangest stories you have from your time in Whistler?
I have lots of stories from crazy to interesting to weird. Getting blackout [drunk] every weekend leads to some interesting endeavours to say the least. I do recall having drinks thrown on me because someone's boyfriend was watching me dance. I was pushed off the podium one time and sprained my ankle, which lead to crutches for three weeks. I also dove headfirst into a snowbank once half-naked because snow angels are important.

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The number of times I woke up wearing last night's gear on a countertop in a house I didn't know how I got to or where the hell I was wondering why I had to drink 36 beers and 14 shots the night before or if it's too early to start drinking to subdue the hangover. I can still taste the Jäger. And where the fuck are my shoes? Definitely probably lost with my morals the night before.

Jenn Patterson, current go-go dancer in Whistler

VICE: How did you get into go-go dancing?
Jenn Patterson: I saw a friend advertise for it on Facebook, and I was working a promo event at the club through a modeling company I was with. I came that night, and she tells me to just watch the dancers try out that evening because I didn't really know what a go-go dancer was when I started. Five minutes later, they say a girl didn't show up, so I tried out on the spot that night, and they hired me [immediately].

My first night working, I was definitely nervous. It's different when you get up there and start dancing—it's like my alter-ego because I'm actually pretty shy. It's a different Jenn when I'm up there; it's one of the best jobs I've had.

What is MLK weekend like in Whistler?
This is my fourth MLK weekend working. Because the legal drinking age in the States is 21, so for the most part, it's a lot of kids coming up here who are 19, and it's their first time in the club. With the number of bars and nightlife here, it's pretty crazy. We have to get there early—the club will be packed by 8 o'clock. When I go to work on MLK weekend, I have to walk by the line to go get ready because everyone is already waiting to get in.

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How do you choose your costumes?
I don't like to wear too many repeat costumes because of all the photos we get, so I've taken a big interest in fashion design. I make a lot of the bras and accessories, add sparkles and gems—the more the better for go-go dancing.

What's a story you have from go-go dancing?
There's a lot of stagettes and bachelor parties here, so when we see the bride-to-be come in, we like to put her up on the podium and showcase her, and her friends all go crazy.

The worst thing about dancing is that you sometimes get negative attention from girls. For the most part, they're lovely, they'll compliment your costume… But I've had girls stand behind me before and have heard nasty things they've said… I overheard a girl talking with her boyfriend: He said I looked good, and she said, "No, her butt is too flat." She was a really pretty girl and tiny like me—I felt like we had the same body type. But you know what, that's OK, I'll just brush that one off.

What's the party scene like in Whistler? It seems pretty carefree, and anything goes.
[At the bars that have stripper poles], they encourage people to get up on them, they encourage girls to get up on the bar and dance, body shots are a big thing… For locals nights, there's a busy spot each night. At Tommy Africa's, Tuesdays is their big one.

I just feel like Whistler is always different. In the city, it's the same vibe all the time. In Whistler, every weekend is different: Crankworx, The World Ski and Snowboard Festival, MLK weekend, May long weekend… Different crowds from everywhere.

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Diana Brownie, former Whistler go-go dancer currently working in Mexico

VICE: Why did you decide to move to Whistler?
Diana Brownie: I had graduated from University of British Columbia and didn't really want to grow up yet. Whistler is like Never Never Land for adults. I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my degree yet, so I decided to take a year off and spend it having fun with my friends in the mountains.

What were your favourite parts about being a go-go dancer in Whistler?
Being able to do what you're passionate about as a job is always a great feeling. I've been dancing since a young age and started working as a professional dancer in Vancouver seven years ago. There is no better feeling in the world than getting up on stage and dancing your heart out. The adrenaline rush is insane. I can go into work in the worst mood ever and leave with a smile plastered on my face.

Working as a go-go dancer in Whistler specifically, I would have to say my favourite part about the job is the people. I made some very close friendships and have some fantastic memories with all the staff [at Tommy Africa's]. Everyone there is really just one giant family, and we all look out for one another. What is your job now and where at?
I've traded in my snow boots for sandals and am currently living in Mexico working at a resort in Playa Del Carmen. I still go-go dance at some of the local nightclubs for special events. What is one of the most interesting things that happened to you while working as a dancer in Whistler?
I've got to dance for some pretty awesome DJs in Whistler. Dancing for Paul Oakenfold was a really cool experience, as well as Datsik and Sticky Buds. Those shows are always a blast because the energy coming off the crowd is so hype that it pumps you up even more. Costume malfunctions while you're dancing are always an interesting experience. I also design and create dance costumes, and sometimes things don't hold up as well as you'd hope while you're on stage. I've had pieces fall off or fly into the crowd before. Getting your jewelry, shoes, bra caught in your tights is always fun. Trying to get your self unhooked without the crowd realizing you're stuck is hilarious. What's the craziest party memory you have from your time in Whistler?
The afterparty after the Paul Oakenfold show. And the annual Tommy Africa's house boating trips. I won't go into details as my parents will probably read this—hi mom!

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Follow Allison Tierney on Twitter .