Celebrate Valentine's Day in the Mountains: Top 10 Date Ideas
February in the mountains is a beautiful amalgamation of the thick of winter and the coming spring. Snow still blankets the ground while temperatures are heating up, making it an ideal time to take advantage of all the opportunities the snow brings. The abundance of winter adventure makes it easy to get creative with your Valentine's Day, coupling an outdoor adventure, day at the spa, or local experience with a decadent, cozy dinner out. Whether you're looking for high adventure or a relaxing indulgence, the Winter Park area has it all and more.
1. TAKE A HOT AIR BALLOON TOUR
There's something undeniably romantic about floating above the Fraser Valley with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Up your date game on a hot air balloon ride with Grand Adventure Hot Air Balloon Tours.
2. SNOWMOBILE THROUGH THE FOREST
Book a guided tour or unguided rental to explore our thousands of acres of National Forest and BLM land with your Valentine. Grand Adventures and On the Trail both offer the best of touring Grand County on a sled. Definitely an outside-of-the-box Valentine's Day date - chocolates and flowers pale in comparison to the adrenaline rush and breathtaking views you'll get exploring the Rocky Mountains.
3. CATCH A MOVIE + BOOK A LANE
The Foundry Cinema + Bowl has been a game-changer for the Winter Park area. What a gift to our rural community to have a place to gather, enjoy good food and drinks, play games, and bowl! Check out their current showings, book a lane, and celebrate with that special someone.
4. GO NIGHT SKIING
Granby Ranch is open for night skiing this Valentine's Day! Included with a day pass or available to purchase separately, night skiing runs from 3:30-7pm, meaning you and your date can catch the sunset on skis on your first laps before skiing under the moon and stars. Enjoy live music at Granby Ranch's 8350 Lounge between laps or reserve a table at Bluebird Bistro to finish off your evening.
5. ENJOY A SPA TREATMENT
Start or end your date by treating yourself and your partner with a massage or skin care treatment at one of our local spas.
6. TEE UP THE ROMANCE
Fraser's The Birdie Lounge Golf Simulators and Bar is offering a Valentine's Day special "for lovers only." Book a bay for $45/hour (a $20/hour discount). We love this unique date opportunity The Birdie Lounge has brought to town!
7. SOAK IN THE HOT SPRINGS
One of Grand County's lesser-known gems: Hot Sulphur Springs Resort + Spa offers 20 naturally fed mineral hot springs pools tucked into the mountainside right in the heart of Hot Sulphur Springs. The most magical time to go is after a day of skiing or adventuring just as the sun is setting. Soak up the starry night sky after it gets dark. You can even book a massage to really up the relaxation. An added bonus - all massages come with a complimentary day pass to soak in the pools. Please note that, while so-very-Valentine's-Day, the spa does not provide couples massages.
8. BOOK A PRIVATE SLEIGH RIDE
Cozy up under a blanket, sip some hot cocoa, and soak in Grand County's winter wonderland on a sleigh ride through secluded woods and open meadows. Dashing Through the Snow offers private rides on a smaller, more intimate sleigh, making it an ideal way to enjoy a romantic mountain experience with your Valentine's date!
9. PAINT AND SIP: PAINT YOUR DATE
Granby Ranch is hosting this unique Valentine's Day date experience! Sip on unlimited complimentary house wine as you create a masterpiece of your partner from 5 -7pm this Valentine's Day. No artistic experience is required to enjoy the fun, relaxed guided painting session. You can even enjoy a meal together before or after at Granby Ranch's Bluebird Bistro. Be sure to reserve your Paint and Sip spots and table at Bluebird Bistro in advance.
10. DINNER FOR TWO
Follow up your romantic adventure with a dinner out! Some of our favorite spots for a cozy table for two are Volario's, Deno's, A-Frame Club Grill, Solstice Bistro, Bistro 28 at Pole Creek Golf Course, Tabernash Tavern, and Devil's Thumb Ranch House,
We recommend making reservations in advance - not only is it Valentine's Day, but February 14th kicks off President's Day weekend. And think about how romantic it will be when your partner asks where you're going for dinner after your mountain adventure, and you can answer, "We have reservations at Deno's at 8." Cupid's work here is done.
BUT WHO'S WATCHING THE KIDS?!
If the only thing between you and your Valentine's Day date in the mountains is finding childcare, we've put together a few options for local childcare while you take advantage of Winter Park this Valentine's Day:
If you have kiddos ages 5 - 12, you can drop them off at YMCA's Camp Chief Ouray for Parents' Night Out from 5 - 9pm ($30 per child for members/$35 per child for nonmembers). Your kids can enjoy pizza night and fun, themed activities. February 14th is "Neon Night," so they're sure to have a good time! Be sure to register at least 24 hours in advance.
Nanny JoJo (Jodie Brack) is a long-time local and early childhood professional who offers drop-in care at her Fraser home for children ages zero to six. She typically offers daytime care but can have evening availability for a date night!
Resort Sitters is a local company that connects you with experienced, background checked, and CPR certified babysitters 21+.
You can also check out this Grand County Childcare Provider list of potential babysitters. Please note - this is a list of babysitters who have expressed interest in providing childcare. While their experience is listed, you can ask for and check references to ensure they'll be a good fit for your family.
NEED MORE INFO?
Our decades of experience living and working in the Winter Park area make us your go-to source for recommendations on local adventure, experiences, and dining out. Reach out if you're looking for other date ideas or if you need more information to plan your ideal Valentine's Day!
Posted by Leah Bishop on
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