How to Enjoy Winter this Valentine’s Day
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue; the Snow is Excellent, Made Just for You
As Valentine’s Day rolls around, and activity options remain limited, we’d like to remind folks how vey compatible Nordic ski centers are with romantic retreats. Well-situated in the heart of February, the holiday coincides with some of the season’s finest snow conditions. The skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking and winter hiking are just about as luxurious as can be now, with deep powder cut through with smooth, sturdy corduroy for skate skiing, pristine tracks for classic, and single- and double- track trails aplenty for biking and hiking. Whether you make a day of it and explore all the winter terrain offers or plan a shorter couple’s outing complete with a picnic, don’t miss these stellar conditions.
So how to make this dreamy V-Day getaway a reality? Start with a place to stay: this doesn’t have to be a glamorous resort, or even a remote cabin—sometimes your own home, spiced up with some special decoration and culinary treats and a little daytime outing can be just what the (love) doctor ordered for you and your significant other. Of course, I would never dissuade anyone from a weekend in a snow-covered cabin, with excellent skiing on its doorstep. For those looking to travel, ski centers like Mont Sainte Anne in Quebec or Maplelag in Minnesota (to name a few—look here for more) offer accommodations from the rustic to the ritzy.
Regardless of where you decide to spend the night, here are a few essentials to keep in your planning.
Pick a route with a view. As you map out that perfect ski, snowshoe or what have you, try to work in a destination that rewards you and your partner (or partners—a Feb. 14 adventure with friends can obviously be just as memorable), and offers a nice stopping point for snacks and drinks. If it’s daytime, look for a summit or overlook to best soak in the winter wonderland around. If you opt for a moonlit, extra romantic outing, perhaps ask the local ski center or trail organization about where to find a warming fire or day-use cabin to rekindle your love and reheat your soup. If you are toasty enough outside, take a load off under the stars, somewhere with a nice panorama of the overflowing night sky.
Bring the goods. Be sure to stock up on your favorite aphrodisiacs and warming treats before hitting the trail. Bars of dark chocolate travel well, while a thermos of soup makes a quick, delicious and intimate meal for two. A baguette to tear and soak is always recommended. Some of the wine world’s newest innovations make toting your favorite vino on a little ski trip a cinch: with a box or can of wine you won’t worry about breaking a bottle on your trek and can pack whatever amount you need.
Dress for the weather—and the occasion. Just because love is in the air doesn’t mean February isn’t cold. Layer up, maybe with your favorite sweaters and coziest long johns. Matching base layers, anyone? Be sure to bring a blanket or two for any sort of picnic stop—a nice flannel can double as tablecloth and star-gazing cover. Check out these fashions from SWIX!
Whatever plan you make with you loved one(s), so long as you get a glimpse of the natural beauty that abounds in this mid-winter month, it can’t help but me heartwarming and memorable.
