Free outdoor concerts rule at Whistler's big blast, April 8-17. You never know who'll show up -- Justin Timberlake dropped by last year. -- Photo by Steve Li

How much snow do you need for a decent apres-ski party? Many of British Columbia's choice ski resorts have been afflicted by low snow all season, but that hasn't stopped organizers of Whistler's 2005 World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Marking its 10th anniversary, this edition of WSSF includes enough skin, bling, celebs and all-star action to make you forget the skiing is at best so-so.

The show goes non-stop April 8 - 17. It includes a truly peculiar parade of dogs down Whistler's main corridor; a new event called Gelandesprung that's best described as retro ski-jumping; a free outdoor concert series that sees surprise acts like last year's Justin Timberlake rapping with the Black Eyed Peas; Slopestyle and Superpipe events for both skiing and snowboarding; plus constant parties featuring all kinds of boring stuff: Girls body-painted from head to foot, bikini contests ... you get the picture.

WSSF's must-do's include the annual Pro Photographer Showdown. Some of the world's best action shooters match their pictures with music and compete for Best of Show.

Last year's winner, Indonesia-based surfing photographer Jason Childs, will be there. Word on the Whistler streets is the devastation of the Tsunami has influenced his work. This photography action takes place at the Telus Conference Centre, April 13.

Along the same vein is the WSSF's new Masterpiece in Motion. Using a snowboard topsheet as a canvas, artists capture the spirit of riding. Anyone can enter -- judges are in search of innovative visual art and graphics that depict the essence of the sport.

A jury (mostly sports magazine photo editors) choose the winners. Artwork from 30 finalists is displayed at festival events, functions and on the web. The overall champ will score $2,000 US.

Also new, a Friday night booty call called Sexy, Strong and Sweet. Girl Powder -- an online community of women snowboarders networking, supporting, fundraising, shopping, sharing rides to reach the mountain safely -- throws this party April 15 at Whistler's Garibaldi Lift Co. It includes a Booty Call Lingerie Fashion Show and a live performance by Mudbath and Milka. A $5 fee raises dough for Boarding for Breast Cancer and puts you in the running to win a snowboard courtesy of Girl Powder.

Fashion Exposed is yet another WSSF fashion show, this one on the streets of Whistler -- dates TBA. The theme is mountain function vs. urban chic. On April 16, the last party of the Festival is the Smirnoff Experience -- an all-night rave, Euro style at the Telus Conference Centre.

Perhaps the biggest parties surround the World Skiing and World Snowboarding Invitationals. For the first time in Festival history, competitions have an all-inclusive format. Dubbed "snowsports unity," WSSF hosts the events simultaneously instead of on the traditional separate weekends. Finals for both Slopestyle and Superpipe will be held consecutively on April 14 and 16. Athletes include very big names. Watch for Charles Gagnier who won the 2005 X-Games and US Open Slopestyles; Jon Olsson, first in the 2004 World Skiing Invitational Big Air; and Ontario's own Sarah Burke, first in the 2005 US Open Superpipe and second at the 2005 X-Games Superpipe.

As for the skiing, expect to download from both Whistler and Blackcomb's mid-stations -- there likely won't be enough snow to ski-out. Snow in the glades and off-piste may be sketchy. Does the snow coverage really matter? If you're heading to Whistler during WSSF for a ski vacation, then yes, snow coverage matters. If your objective is to ski some then party, Whistler during WSSF is a good bet.

For more on the World Ski & Snowboard Festival, visit whistler2005.com.