Romance on the Slopes

This story was Published in The Lowell Sun, The Maine Sunday Telegram & The Providence Journal

 

Published: February 2002

By Heather Burke

Valentine’s Day approaches. The pressure is on to conjure up an amorous schedule for your special someone. Sounds like an ideal time to whisk your loved one away to a romantic ski lodge. Picture the cozy setting of a crackling fire, the two of you sipping après ski toddies after an invigorating day on the snow-covered slopes. Perhaps you might even have the good fortune to get snowed-in.

Here are some lodging properties that ooze alpine charm with a dose of nearby vertical.

At The Pitcher Inn in Warren, Vermont, the gracious staff will carry your ski bags and light the fireplace in your themed room. Each room of this 1993 authentically rebuilt Inn has a unique character. The Mountain Room, the Trout Room, and the Mallard Room are a few of the sixteen architecturally appointed suites.

I personally recommend the Ski Room, modeled after a vintage ski lodge and filled with memorabilia including wooden skis and a flexible flyer sled, even a hand painted 1950’s ski mural. Sounds rustic, but it is actually extremely well-appointed, right down to the steam shower and the hidden TV that magically appears from beneath a genuine ski area “lost and found” bin.

The Innkeeper explained that the Hollywood film crowd frequents this one of a kind Vermont Inn and their Alta Spa across the street, but he would not reveal names. Good innkeepers don’t kiss and tell, out of respect for their guests’ privacy. Too bad, it would have made a great anecdote – Hollywood moguls descend upon Vermont moguls.

Ski nearby Sugarbush or Mad River Glen by day and return to your special themed room at the Pitcher Inn each night. Surely Cupid would give alpine approval to this getaway.

The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont, combines old world hospitality with plenty of winter adrenaline. The elegant hotel dates back to 1769 and is a dramatic landmark on the historical town common.

Après ski at the Inn’s authentic Marsh Tavern is a must. This is the actual watering hole where the Green Mountain Boys plotted their revolutionary tactics over 200 years ago. Today, you will find musicians, lovers, and locals enjoying the Tavern.

For added excitement, the Equinox hosts the Land Rover Winter Driving School. You can get behind the wheel and learn to master snow and ice; great training for slippery commutes to the slopes.

I would be remiss not to mention the scads of outlet shops in Manchester, for the non-skier – this is a shoppers’ haven. Nice to have options: high-speed alpine runs or power shopping, both should be followed by a spa treatment back at the Inn.

From the Equinox, you are just 20 minutes from Stratton Mountain Resort, noted for its fun cruising terrain and high capacity lifts including four high-speed six-passenger quads and a twelve-passenger base to summit gondola.

Or head to Bromley (just 10 minutes from the Equinox) with its unique southern exposure, skiers and riders get plenty of sun. Bromley is smaller, 1,300 feet of vertical, but speedy transport on the base to summit quad means plenty of runs on this lesser known, less crowded and extremely friendly ski hill.

The Mount Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire is a magically romantic setting in the White Mountains. This year marks the 100th birthday of the historic hotel, which has been restored to its 1902 grandeur in recent years. The hotel opened for winters two seasons ago, making it one of the most palatial ski and stay places in New England.

A short shuttle ride across Route 302 is Bretton Woods Ski Resort, now New Hampshire’s largest ski area.

What was once a snooze of a ski area now has something for everyone. In recent years they have dramatically expanded terrain and added four high speed quads. The wide-open cruisers and the more classic meandering trails tucked between are all groomed to perfection. The new gladed runs on both the eastern and western flanks of the mountain are fun and naturally challenging. Bretton Woods’ ego-pleasing runs are framed by the incredible view of Mount Washington, and the landmark Hotel below.

The calendar of events at this resort is as extensive as the famous guest list at the century old hotel. For Valentine’s, skiers can engage in a couples’ slalom race and a matching skiwear contest, and a sweethearts’ après ski party with live musical entertainment. The resort also offers on-site cross-country skiing, ice-skating, snowshoeing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Staying at the Hotel Mount Washington is as grand as it gets. Formal evening dining and dancing, live shows in the Cave nightclub – it’s like a skiing cruise ship without the obligatory lifeboat drill.

Be sure to put your sports coat on your usual ski checklist when you head to the Mount Washington.

These fine resort properties offer the perfect formula for a romantic ski getaway. Plenty of alpine exhilaration by day, fantastic après ski activities, fine dining and luxurious accommodations.

I don’t believe the Italian, Saint Valentine, was a skier back in 270 A.D., but as an advocate of couples in love, I’m sure he would approve of getting out on the slopes for some R & R, recreation and romance. A little vertical drop makes the horizontal bop that much sweeter on Valentine’s Day.

Contact Info:

The Pitcher Inn in Warren, Vermont, 1-888-867-4824 or www.pitcherinn.com
Sugarbush Ski Resort, Warren, Vermont 1-800-53-SUGAR or www.sugarbush.com
The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont, 1-800-362-4747 or www.equinoxresort.com
Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton, Vermont 1-800-STRATTON or www.stratton.com
Bromley, Manchester Center, Vermont 1-802-824-5522 or www.bromley.com
The Hotel Mount Washington, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, 1-800-258-0330 or www.mtwashington.com
Bretton Woods Mountain Resort, New Hampshire, 1-603-278-3320, www.brettonwoods.com
 

 

©All Rights Reserved on all Stories and Photos on this Web Site. Stories and Photos can not be reproduced in anyway without the express written permission of the Author and/or Photographer.