Romance in the Rockies - Celebrate Valentine's Week in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Valentine's Week Events

9                      Relationship and the Law of Attraction Workshop, Gunnison & Crested Butte

11                     Couples Energy Massage Class, Crested Butte

11, 14               Kids Valentine's Chocolate Classes, Arrangements Catering & Events, Crested Butte

12                     An Evening with Suzy Bogguss Concert, Presented by Crested Butte Center for the Arts

12                     Romantic French Cooking Class, Arrangements Catering & Events, Crested Butte

13                     "CUPS," a Play Written & Performed by Joni Sheram, Gunnison Arts Center

13 - 14             Couples Massage & Yoga Classes, Crested Butte

13 - 15             Valentine's Ski Clinic with Wendy Fisher, Crested Butte Mountain Resort

14                     Valentine's Brunch at the Yurt, Crested Butte Nordic Center

Bring the discoveries of quantum physics to your quest to find a new love or enliven your existing relationship at the Relationship and the Law of Attraction Workshop on Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce, 601 Elk Avenue, or 6 p.m. at 101 N. 10^th St., Gunnison.  Discuss the concepts from physics and ancient wisdom teachings that support the premise that you create your own reality and learn pragmatic processes to manifest your desires. The workshop is free, but bring a dish to share.  Call (970) 349-6464 for more information. 

The Couples Energy Massage Class on Feb. 11, 3 - 5 p.m. will give you the techniques to treat each other to a very relaxing and nurturing time together. Call Barb Pachla at (970) 209-5773 for more details about this free class to be held at 300 Belleview, Suite 3C in Crested Butte.

Local caterer Keely Murphy shows kids how to make their own chocolates such as chocolate chip whoopie pies, chocolate peppermint cremes and decorative truffles to give to their parents or another special person in their lives.  Kids Valentine's Chocolate Classes will be held Feb 11, 4 - 5:30 p.m., and Feb. 14, 3 - 4:30 p.m.  The cost per class is $25 per child and includes a Valentine gift box.

Grown-ups can learn to prepare the dishes seen in the recent blockbuster film "Julie and Julia" at the Romantic French Cooking Class on Feb. 12 from 6 - 9 p.m.  Murphy will demonstrate four courses while participants dine on tomato basil bruschetta, artichokes with hollandaise sauce, boeuf bourguignon and French silk chocolate pie.  The cost is $65 per person or $120 per couple.  To make reservations for these classes, call Arrangements Catering & Events at (512) 431-2541 in advance.

Anyone who enjoys country music is in for a huge Valentine's treat with the Crested Butte Center for the Art's Suzy Bogguss Concert on Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.  Bogguss not only is a household name in the country music world, she's a well-known name in the Country Music Hall of Fame, too. She has released a platinum record and three gold records and topped the charts with six hit singles.  Tickets will be available online on Jan. 18 for $30.  For more information, call (970) 349-7487 or visit http://www.crestedbuttearts.org/.

Yoga for the Peaceful in Crested Butte will be hosting a partner massage class and a partner yoga class for couples over Valentine's Day weekend.  For the times and costs, call (970) 349-0302 or visit http://www.yogaforthepeaceful.org/.   

Joni Sheram has proven that it's okay to talk about bras in public with her one-woman play "Cups" that will be performed at the Gunnison Arts Center on Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.  The play chronicles the lives of women through the contours and curves of bras: a training bra, a strapless bra, a bra burned in the ‘60s, nursing bras and more.  Intimate details are shared in a series of delightful and moving tales that mirror changes in society.  For information about tickets and cost, call (970) 641-4029 or visit http://www.gunnisonartscenter.org/.

Mix in some outdoor time with the culture by making a date with freeskiing phenom and Olympian Wendy Fisher for her Valentine's Ski Clinic on Feb. 13 - 15 at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.  Fisher will help couples-spouses, ski buddies, best friends or siblings-learn technical skiing skills, identify areas for improvement by observing their partners, and communicate helpful tips with a constructive delivery.  Participants also will analyze the mountain and tactically approach each run together.  The first and third days will focus on exploration of the mountain as a team, and on the second day participants will be grouped according to ability level, and individual needs will be addressed.  The cost is $550 per couple.  Call (800) 444-9236 for reservations and information or visit http://www.skicb.com/.

Or take a more leisurely pace and attend Valentine's Day Brunch at the Yurt offered by the Crested Butte Nordic Center on Feb. 14.  Nordic ski or snowshoe at your own pace to the yurt, which is nestled among the pines and surrounded by peaks in the peaceful setting of Magic Meadows, and enjoy a scrumptious brunch served from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  The cost is $20 per person for adults and $10 for kids (under 12).  Ski passes and rentals are extra.  For reservations and more information, call (970) 349-1707 or visit http://www.cbnordic.org/.

Kindle the Flames

There's good reason why Crested Butte has been identified as one of the most romantic ski resorts in the West by Ski Snowboard America & Canada.  Here's some ways to surprise your loved one.

• Board a horse-drawn sleigh at Lazy F Bar Ranch south of Crested Butte for a scenic, 35-minute ride to a rustic 1950s cabin overlooking the East River and indulge in a five-course meal.  Visit http://www.lazyfbarranch.com/.
• Another version of a sleigh ride, Crested Butte style, is being pulled by a snowcat at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and dining at the newly renovated and expanded Ice Bar at Uley's Cabin.  Or make your own tracks by boarding the Ride the Red Lady Express Lift to ski, snowboard or snowshoe to Uley's Cabin for a Last Tracks dinner.  A member of the professional ski school or ski patrol will escort you back to the base area with headlamps to light the way.  Call (800) 810-7669 for reservations and prices or visit http://www.skicb.com/.   
• Head out with Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures for a one-hour ride in the Almont area.  Halfway through the journey, warm up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.  The cost is $50 per person or $60 with transportation.
• Cuddle 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.  Visit www.luckycatdogfarm.com or call (970) 641-1636 for details about lunch tours and short tours.

Romance Packages

The Ruby of Crested Butte bed and breakfast and Django's Restaurant & Wine Bar are offering a stay, ski and dine package they're calling the Best of Colorado Getaway.  This romance package includes a two-night stay for two in a king guestroom, complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of Prosecco upon arrival, a gourmet organic breakfast each morning, a couples hot stone massage, two days of skiing for two people (including overnight ski storage), one après ski experience at Django's (includes 2 complimentary Ruby Red cocktails) and a romantic dinner for two at Django's.  Package price starts at $999 and is valid during the 2009-2010 ski season, except during holidays.  Call (800) 390-1338 or visit http://www.therubyofcrestedbutte.com/. 

Indulge in the Romance in the Colorado Rockies package offered by the Water Wheel Inn in Gunnison.  This romantic interlude includes a one-night stay in a premier suite, champagne, flowers, chocolates and massages for two people.  The cost is $265 plus tax, with a second night available for only $80 more.  This offer is available through April 30, 2010.  Visit http://www.waterwheelatgunnison.com/ or call (800) 642-1650.

There's nothing like snuggling up in Cabins by the River. Three Rivers Resort in Almont, located between Gunnison and Crested Butte, is offering big savings on cabin rentals in January and February. Rent any premium cabin for only $99 a night or a one-bedroom cabin for $65 a night.  Lodge rooms also are available.  Offer is valid through Feb. 28, 2010, and requires a two-night minimum.  Call (888) 761-3474 or visit http://www.3riversresort.com/.

Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages

To find out more about Gunnison County or to book other personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association's toll-free line, (800) 814-8893, or visit http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/.  Find the Tourism Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta or follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta. 

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is served year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver and during the winter season by American Airlines with direct flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Delta Air Lines with direct flights from Salt Lake City and Atlanta.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado.  Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.  Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities.  In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding.  Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options - from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels. 

Recognized as the "Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado" by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2008, Crested Butte is the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.  Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area's conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails. 

Gunnison, a real western town located 28 miles from Crested Butte, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, a four-year institution offering majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields.  Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities. 

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country's newest national parks.  Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

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