Skiing is a true love

When I first realized my relationship with my now husband might be serious, there was one thing I had to check on. If he didn’t like outdoor winter sports, we had no future.

I might not be kidding. Outdoor winter sports – skiing the most of all – has been my first love most of my life. If you don’t have room for that, I’m just not that into you.

We are closing in on 40 years of marriage, not because he was already a pro-ski guy, but because, at my suggestion (read: demand), he took it up and like me, fell deeply in love.

Since then, while I’m not a big embracer of Valentine’s Day as an important event, I do always like to celebrate the love of my life — skiing – with the guy who was able to accept he was not alone in this long-term relationship.

And while ski areas have yet to return to the event-filled schedules of the pre-pandemic era (they may never and that may just be fine), there are ways to celebrate your love of skiing with someone who shares it, or, as I faced back then, someone you’re luring into the relationship. Here are some great ideas for your Valentine’s Ski Week in 2023.

Embrace the European Way:

The ski day plays out differently in Europe, and there’s no reason why you cannot have a European-style ski day in America as well.

Start your day with an espresso or another hot coffee type you love, along with pastries, and then hit the slopes. Ski all day until about 2:30 – opting for a quick snack if you need sustenance before then. Then, cruise into a slopeside big time meal. Fondue is preferred, but any special meal will do. Linger over it, sip some wine or a good beer and then cruise back to your home base, your day complete.

In other words, this one day, skip the quick burrito from the food truck and opt for a long, leisurely slopeside gourmet meal. Most every area has a great sit-down dining option. Use it this time.

Ideal spot: The WhistlePig Pavilion at Spruce Peak, Vermont. Raclette prepared over an open fire, amazing cocktails and a true alpine setting. (https://www.sprucepeak.com)

Make new discoveries, together:

Particularly if one of you brought the other to skiing or riding, consider adding a new angle of winter sports together. If you’ve not tried Nordic take a beginner lesson together and learn how to glide along through nature. Nordic is a great addition to ski life: should there be a windy or colder day, it’s a great option. And any day, just like cycling, it gives you a unique and new view of spots you may have passed many times before.

Ideal spot: JacksonXC (https://www.jacksonxc.org) has been a world-class XC destination for years, and officially since 1972. There are top notch lessons, 150 km of trails to explore and it’s all tucked in a lovely village. For your insta-moment (or private moment), head to the Kissing Bridge Trail. Apres your Valentines by heading right across the street to the Wildcat Tavern for its weekly Hoot Night, one of the best open mic nights in the ski world, in a classic ski pub setting.

Treat Yo Self:

It’s not just a Parks and Rec bit – it’s a life decision. This V-Day, practice a little self-love and treat yo self to that special ski related item you’ve been longing for. The new expensive jacket? It will last forever and keep you warm and dry. The new skis or board? It’s just going to make your mountain days better. The fancy apres ski hat with the sparkles? Who cares if it’s useful: It’s fun.

Ideal spot(s): For gals, a great spot to find amazing Treat Yo Self attire is Spruce Hurricane in the heart of North Conway Village in New Hampshire. From earlier mentioned sparkly apres hats to fancy winter boots to amazing ski and ride attire, this spot is special. In Vermont, First Chair at Spruce Peak delivers the amazing goods.