West Dover, VT – Ski resorts across the U.S. have scheduled special ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Feb 14.
At Mount Snow in southern Vermont, the procession is a ride up a chairlift, the altar is a podium positioned at the pinnacle of a heart painted on the snow and formal footwear is replaced with ski or snowboard boots. That is the scene couples wanting to renew their vows, or tie the knot for the first time, will enjoy this Valentine’s Day during Cloud Nine Nuptials at the summit of Mount Snow Resort. It is the second year of the event, which is free to participate in, following the success of the inaugural edition in 2012 during which 17 couples renewed their vows and two other couples officially got married.
The ceremony will be conducted by local justice of the peace, Cyndee Frere, followed by a reception in the Summit Lodge with cake, coffee and hot chocolate. A dozen adventurous couples have already RSVP’d to take part in the festivities and Mount Snow Events Manager, Tim Dolan, expects to hear from many more in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day.
“We would love for Cloud Nine Nuptials to grow and attract dozens of people every year,” says Dolan. “Last Valentine’s Day we saw how such a simple event can turn into something very special and memorable for our guests, which means a lot.”
Mount Snow is also offering a lift ticket deal for Valentine’s Day; two for $49 when purchased in advance online. For those who want to spend the night, there’s the Valentine’s Package which includes a night of lodging at the slopeside Grand Summit Resort Hotel, lift ticket, breakfast and a room service delivery of champagne accompanied by chocolate covered strawberries. Harriman’s Farm to Table is hosting a dinner featuring a Sweetheart Tasting Menu prepared by Executive Chef Michael Giorgio.
Cozy up with your valentine at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. Both California resorts near Lake Tahoe will be distributing “I heart Squaw” and “I heart Alpine” buttons all day on Feb. 14. Staffers will be hiding little red velvet bags around both mountains for all to find, weather and conditions permitting. The bags will be full of Valentine’s chocolates and candies, along with a few 2012-13 lift tickets. The scavenger hunt starts when lifts open at 9 a.m.
Lift lines for male and female singles for those who want to meet their match will be established on Squaw’s legendary KT-22 chairlift. Lifties will be pairing up daring singles all day long from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Valentine’s Day at Alpine Meadows, get a numbered sticker from guest services or from the lift ops at the Summit and Roundhouse chairlifts in order to find and meet your match. Keep an eye out for your matching number while you are skiing or riding, and if you find them, bring them to the Last Chair Bar to get discounted drink specials.
Couples can book the Lake Tahoe Lovers’ Getaway package and get a three-night stay, two two-day adult lift tickets and a private, full-day couple’s ski or snowboard lesson at Squaw and Alpine Meadows starting at $195 per person per night. Call (800) 731-8021 or visit www.squaw.com/trip-planning/tahoe-vacation-packages/lake-tahoe-lovers-getaway-package. The Lake Tahoe Lovers’ Getaway package can be booked February 13-16 for Valentine’s Day, though it is valid for stays through April 28.
From the elegant Lodge Dining Room to the cross country ski trails, Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort will be celebrating the romance of Valentine’s Day from Thursday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 17.
Sweetheart specials will be offered in the Lodge Dining Room, the Ram Restaurant and Trail Creek Cabin. The Lodge Dining Room will prepare a very special four-course prix fixe menu complete with a champagne toast. Drink specials will include a Sun Valley Sweetheart martini. Providing the music for dancing will be the Brooks Hartell Trio and guest vocalists Teddy Cunningham and Melodie Taylor-Mauldin. Special Valentine mementos will be given to each couple. Dinner will be served from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., call (208) 622-2800 for reservations.
The cozy Ram Restaurant will serve their regular menu along with a special four-course prix fixe menu from 6 p.m. until 9:30 pm. Music will be provided by Larry Harshbarer on the piano and all the ladies will receive red roses. Call (208) 622-2800 for reservations.
Romantic Trail Creek Cabin will be the Valentine’s setting for those who wish to take a sleigh to dinner – drive-outs will be welcome as well. Dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and a strolling accordionist will provide the entertainment. All ladies will receive a red rose. For reservations for the sleigh, call (208) 622-2135 and for drive-out reservations, call (208) 622-2800.
The resort also will offer a Sweetheart of a Deal Package at $174 for a room in the Lodge or Inn February 14, complete with breakfast at the new Konditorei and a delicious box of sweetheart chocolates from Sun Valley’s Chocolate Foundry. For reservations, call (888) 978-3475.
On Sunday, Feb. 17, the Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center has planned a fun, family favorite, the Sweetheart Relay. The fun begins at 10 a.m.
And if your mountain is named “Loveland,” you just have to do something very special for Valentine’s Day! The Colorado resort’s 22nd Annual Valentine’s Day Mountaintop Matrimony ceremony and reception is a Loveland tradition where new couples are joined in matrimony and married couples renew their vows in a mass wedding at The Ptarmigan Roost Cabin, elevation 12,050 feet, located at the top of the ski area’s Lift #2. The Honeymooner’s Apres Party for all participants and their guests follows the ceremony at the Loveland Basin featuring music, wedding cake, spirits and even a best dressed contest. Participating couples must pre-register online in order to receive the two-for-one lift ticket special. For more informationcall (303) 571-5580 Ext. 141.