Romantic Happenings – Valentine’s Week
As an early Valentine’s Days treat, a Love Potions Workshop will be offered Feb. 12 at Sanctuary Studio in Gunnison from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Learn how to make a botanical love potion and sensual massage rub, bringing home samples of both along with knowledge about aphrodisiac herbs and how they can enhance your love life. The cost is $25.
On Feb. 14, bring a spouse, significant other, friend, family member, an open mind and playful heart for an all-levels Valentine’s Partner Yoga at Sanctuary Studio from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Participants will experience couples yoga where both people do the same posture simultaneously, mirroring each other, balancing and counter balancing to co-create the posture, as well as partner-assisted yoga. The cost is $25 per couple. After class, enjoy 15% off at Brick Cellar Bar and Bistro for participants. For both workshops, visit www.gunnisonsanctuary.com or call (970) 275-8927.
Or treat a special someone to a Leftover Salmon concert at Center for the Arts Crested Butte on Feb. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. Leftover Salmon held their very first performance in Crested Butte and ended up becoming architects of the jam grass genre. Brandishing both acoustic and electric guitar, bass and banjo, Leftover Salmon is anchored by founding members Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt (now a Crested But local) and rounded out with Andy Thorn, Greg Garrison and Jose Martinez. The early-bird ticket price of $30 is available until Feb. 5, when the tickets increase to $35.
On Feb. 14, the Center for the Arts Crested Butte offers two sweet options for singles and couples. From 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., attend a free opening reception for A Sweet heART Show, featuring mixed media on wood, watercolor and acrylic on canvas artwork by Suzanne Pierson and Becky Chappell, that is on display until Feb. 28. Stay and dance the night away at Valentine’s Swing Night presented by Crested Butte Dance Collective from 8 – 10 p.m. Instructor Pat Addaboo will provide some handy tips before the dancing commences. The cost is $25 for couples and $15 for individuals. For the details about all these happenings, visit www.crestedbuttearts.org or call (970) 349-7487.
It’s an easy one-mile snowshoe or cross-country ski (one way) along a trail lit by tiki torches to Crested Butte Nordic Center’s Valentine’s Day Yurt Dinner on Feb. 14 or Full Moon Yurt Dinner on Feb. 15. Doors open at 6 p.m., and a five-course, gourmet dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $70 for adults, which includes a trail pass and equipment rental but not gratuity or alcohol. For reservations and a calendar of other yurt dinners, call (970) 349-1707 or visit www.cbnordic.org.
Located mid-mountain at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR), Uley’s Cabin is planning a romantic lunch menu for two on Valentine’s Day and a gourmet sleigh ride dinner. For reservations, menu and more information, call (970) 349-2275.
CBMR also has a unique and quick solution to getting acquainted with others looking for a special someone: Twister of Love chairlift speed dating on Feb. 15. A raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes is given to participants each time they board the Twister lift for dating or just fun conversation. Afterwards, there is more fun to be had on the deck of the Ice Bar at Uley’s Cabin, located next to the Twister Lift. The event runs from 1 – 4 p.m. with music, drink specials and prizes on tap.
What could be more romantic than snowshoeing under the stars and full moon? During CBMR’s Moonlight Snowshoe Tour on Feb. 15, explore moonlit mountain trails after being transported by a snowcat. The tour starts at 5:30 p.m. and costs $85. For snowshoeing reservations, call (970) 349-4554. For information about CBMR events, visit www.skicb.com/events.
Kindle the Flames All Winter
There’s good reason why Crested Butte has become known as as one of the most romantic ski resorts over the years. Here’s some special ways to surprise a loved one.
• A sleigh ride, Crested Butte style, is being pulled by a snowcat at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and dining at cozy Uley’s Cabin mid-mountain. Call (800) 810-7669 for reservations and prices or visit www.skicb.com.
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides and horseback riding with a stop to warm up with hot cocoa by the fire are offered by Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures and begin and end at Almont Resort. The one-horse open sleigh is perfect for two-person or family outings of up to four adults and two small children, with 30-minute rides available at 10 or 11 a.m. Horseback rides are at 1 p.m. with snow-covered mountains as the perfect backdrop. Go to www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com or call (970) 349-5425.
• Snuggle up under blankets and get pulled by a team of dogs in the thick of mountain terrain capped with snow. Dog sledding with Lucky Cat Dog Farm is one of those lifetime experiences not to be missed. Two-hour and lunch tours are available. Visit www.luckycatdogfarm.com or call (970) 641-1636.
Romance & Valentine’s Vacation Packages
Spend a romantic Valentine’s weekend in a cozy cabin on the river at Three Rivers Resort in Almont. Choose from a cute modular-style cabin with a shared hot tub or a premium cabin with a private hot tub and gas fireplace. With the Valentine’s Sweet Deal, stay two nights and receive a $50 gift certificate to Garlic Mike’s Italian restaurant in nearby Gunnison, consistently voted as a top date night destination by locals Cabins start at $140 per night. This deal is available for Feb. 14 – 16, 2014. Visit www.3riversresort.com or call (888) 761-3474.
The Ruby of Crested Butte bed and breakfast has two deals that pair lodging and daily gourmet breakfasts with yurt dinners and dog sledding. With the Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe Dinner Package, stay four nights and receive two tickets to attend Crested Butte Nordic’s Valentine’s Yurt Dinner on Feb. 14 or Full Moon Yurt Dinner on Feb. 15 (trail pass and rental equipment included). The price starts at $425 per person. Or have a pre- or post-Valentine’s getaway with the Mush Ado about Dog Sledding Package that includes three nights lodging (available Sunday - Thursdays only with this deal, a three-hour dog sled tour with Lucky Cat Dog Farm and a picnic in the snow during the tour that includes hot soup, homemade breads, cookies and hot cider. This package starts at $575 per person. Book by calling (800) 390-1338 and visit www.therubyofcrestedbutte.com.
Vacation Packages & Visitor Information
To save on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association reservation hotline at (888) 559-0841 or go to http://book.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. For destination information, call (800) 814-8893, go to www.VisitGCB.com or find GCBTA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta.
