Last night a new show called Peak Season premiered on MTV Canada, that is like the The Hills and The City, but maybe better? It takes place in Whistler, B.C. which is a plus, and rather than being a “reality show” it’s actually supposed to be a docudrama series. It captures all the partying and the drama of a tight-knit group of people living in Whistler. It stays true to the fact that there are a lot of Aussies, so there is a balance of Aussies living in Whistler with Canadian born people as well. MTV The Aftershow’s Dan & Jessi do a hilarious job of showing the extreme differences between how the Peak Season cast members differ from The Hills cast members when they go out for dinner, deal with drama, and go partying. It was so bang on. Peak Season is just a lot more fun, a lot more real, and a lot less pretentious. It’s time to grope the slopes with Peak Season!

Interestingly enough, When Adam and I were in Whistler for a week in February during Gay Ski Week (because I was there as a sponsor through masc and he was helping me), we were invited to a dinner party at the house we were staying at (did I say house…? I meant mansion) and this couple was there as well as friends of the host. They were there filming a new show called Peak Season that hadn’t been picked up by any network yet, and after dinner we got to see the promo reel, introducing the characters and how they relate to each other…and now, it’s on MTV! Pretty cool. You can actually download the first episode for free right now on iTunes!

Here’s the core cast / group of friends and what they’re all all about…

Amanda Scheller

(MTV Description) Origin: Coquitlam, BC

Whistler certainly has its share of cliques, but you’d be hard pressed to fit Amanda Scheller into any single one of them. As a former sponsored snowboarder, Amanda can ride with the best of them, while off the slopes she heats things up bartending at legendary Whistler hotspot Garfinkles, and pursuing a newly discovered modeling career.

Having moved to Whistler just over a year ago at the beginning of her relationship with Dré Morell, she’s still a relative newbie in Whistler, but she’s making her mark very quickly.

Dre Morel

(MTV Description) Origin: Whistler “Born and Raised”

Dré Morel grew up in Whistler and for many years had managed the classic Whistler skate/snowboard shop, The Circle. However, his passion for music lead Dré to commit his energy to becoming a DJ and he now aspires to study music production and to produce his own tracks. Dré’s talents on the turntables have seen him quickly rise through Whistler’s pulsating nightlife scene and he now spins at one of Whistler’s hottest night spots, The Savage Beagle.

Despite, or perhaps as a result of, being a local himself, Dré has developed a distinct aversion to dating local girls. No surprise then that Dré has been dating Vancouver hottie Amanda Scheller. But can any girl hang on to Dré as his career takes off to new heights?

Elle Hetherington

(MTV Description) Origin: Australia

An Australian, Elle Hetherington visited Whistler for the first time last year, spending the winter living with her boyfriend and 14 other roommates from the world over.

As she returned home to Australia at the end of last season, Elle broke up with her boyfriend and reconnected with Matt James. This season, Elle plans to visit Whistler for a month, but will she be able to maintain her relationship with Matt while keeping her promise of letting him enjoy his own Whistler experience? Or will the wild Whistler lifestyle take it’s toll on their relationship, just as it did on her previous one?

Ian Ross

(MTV Description) Origin: Halifax

To Ian Ross, “party like a rock star” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a way of life. For this swinging bachelor, everything is turned up to 11: his brash personality, his megawatt smile and his full throttle approach to every aspect of his life. A coast to coast transplant from Halifax who came to Whistler on a 6 month contract more than 4 years ago, Ian spends his time working at the high end Four Seasons Resort.

Ian truly is living the Whistler dream, or at least his version of it. Brash, energetic and motivated to have the time of his life, Ian’s nights are spent living the high life in the VIP lounges of Whistler’s hottest bars. Devoutly single, Ian never lacks company given the close and often hilarious bromance he shares with his buddies Colin, Scoot and Denis.

Lauren Horton

(MTV Description) Origin: Ontario

Lauren Horton is on a mission to have the time of her life! Working as a bartender/server at a local Whistler pub, Lauren is a girl that knows how to have fun. But for Lauren, Whistler is not an easy town to make it in as this resort town high in the mountains is known for its wild nights and carefree days, and does not hold back on reeking havoc on Lauren in her relationships with boys and friends.

A scrappy, pull-no-punches type of girl, Lauren speaks her mind readily and loudly as she aspires to become more in life. But one gets the feeling that, while not ev­erything goes Lauren’s way, this feisty girl will always come out swinging, and usually come out on top.

Matthew James

(MTV Description) Origin: Australia

Part of Whistler’s unique charm is seeing and hearing kids from all over the world mingle together as they begin new lives, new jobs, and new friendships in a new town, and Matt James is the perfect example of this. With a job lined up working in the Whistler/Blackcomb Rentals at the Four Seasons, Matt’s never far from the mountain that he travelled so far to experience.

A recent University graduate with a degree in Commerce, Matt came to Whistler with the goal of pushing his boundaries and escaping his comfort zone. But things change when Matt’s girlfriend Elle comes out for a visit. Will she infringe on the wild life of Whistler that Matt had hoped for?

Stephanie Just

(MTV Description) Origin: Whistler “Born and Raised”

Like most Kids in Whistler, Steph just dreams of not only snowboarding everyday, but getting paid to do it. The last few years have seen her make considerable sacrifices, living a starving artist lifestyle and putting every ounce of time and energy into her burgeoning snowboarding career as she strives to make the leap from amateur status to pro – when sponsors will pay her to ride full time.

As a girl in a guy’s sport, Steph is making a career out doing what she loves the most. With an unfiltered mouth and a hold-nothing-back personality, Steph is driven and focused. Will this winter be the season that changes her life and lets her live out her dream?

Related Stories:
• A Week in the Peak: Part One
• Whistler Road Trip: Prelude
• Gay Athletes Get Their Own Pad At Vancouver Olympics