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

Moonlight dinners, photo workshops, bonfire ski, sweetheart vacation packages & more

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (January 12, 2012) - "Romance in the Rockies," Gunnison-Crested Butte's annual Valentine's celebration of love, returns Feb. 10 - 19.  Since Valentine's Day falls in the middle of the week, there is plenty of opportunity to treat the one you love the weekend before, after or anytime in between with concerts, plays, photo workshops on Nordic skis or snowshoes, moonlight yurt dinners, a yoga festival and more. There are also outstanding vacation packages that won't break the bank.

Valentine's Week Events
 

10                     Moonlight Bonfire Ski Across VanTuyl Ranch (FREE), Gunnison

10 - 12             Yoga Rocks the Butte, Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte

11                     Paint Your Valentine Pottery, Art Studio of the Center for the Arts

12                     Greensky Bluegrass Concert, Crested Butte Center for the Arts

13                     Law of Attraction Workshop: Romancing the Spirit Presented by Crested Butte Well-Being Connection, Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce, Crested Butte

14                     Valentine's Day Prana Flow & Chocolate Class, Yoga for the Peaceful, Crested Butte

14 & 19            Moonlight Dinners at the Yurt, Crested Butte Nordic Center's Magic Meadows Yurt

16                     Partner Thai Yoga Class, Yoga for the Peaceful, Crested Butte

17 - 18             "Love Letters" (play), Crested Butte Center for the Arts

19                     Winter Photo Workshops by Xavier Fane & Raynor Czerwinski (on snowshoes or skis!), Crested Butte area

Romantic Happenings
Savor the moon and stars and indulge in warm drinks and snacks by the fire during the free Moonlight Bonfire Ski Across VanTuyl Ranch offered by the Gunnison Nordic Club on Feb. 10 at.  Participants should park at Gunnison Community Schools and ski to the bonfire at 6:30 p.m.  For more information, visit www.gunnisonnordic.net. 

Yoga Rocks the Butte will feature a weekend of inspiring yoga classes, live outdoor music, organic food, a yoga marketplace and more at multiple venues throughout Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte on Feb. 10 - 12.  Couples can tap into the area's health and wellness philosophy and the talents of experts and musicians from around the globe.  Early bird costs are $354 with no food included and $415 for a package that includes two all-organic breakfasts and two all-organic lunches.  For more information, call (970) 349-0302 or go to www.yogarocksthebutte.com.

The second Saturday of the month means pottery painting from 2 - 6 p.m. at the Art Studio of the Center for the Arts, located at 111 Elk Ave. in Crested Butte.  This is a perfect chance to paint a

Valentine's gift for your sweetheart.  Prices range from $8 - $10 for ornaments and necklaces, $18 - $24 for mugs, and $16 - $55 for plates and platters.  Instructor Melissa Mason will be on hand for pointers.  Go to www.crestedbuttearts.org.

Treat a special someone to a Greensky Bluegrass concert at Crested Butte Center for the Arts on Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.  The Michigan-based band is known for its traditional bluegrass notes and jamgrass flair, playing poignant rural ballads about real people and using a dobro tone that Jerry (Douglas or Garcia) would adore. When Greensky Bluegrass is on stage, concert-goers will feel the love, fun and energy.  Tickets cost $15; go to http://www.crestedbuttearts.org/.

The Crested Butte Well-Being Connection is offering a free Law of Attraction Workshop: Romancing the Spirit on Feb. 13 at the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at 601 Elk Ave. from 6:30 - 9 p.m.  Find out how to attract the love of your life and maintain that loving feeling in a committed relationship.  Bring a dish to share for a potluck and call (970) 596-5386 for information and registration. Also visit http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/www.attractionbasedconsciousness.com.

Magical Moonlight Dinners at the Yurt are perfect for epicureans who enjoy a little sport with dinner.  It's an easy Nordic ski or snowshoe (approximately one mile) in the moonshine to the Crested Butte Nordic Center's Magic Meadows Yurt for a gourmet dinner prepared by personal chef Tim Egelhoff.  On Feb. 14 and 19, the "Evening in Paradise" menu will feature goat cheese toast with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic; roasted butternut squash bisque with apples and onions; apple and cabbage salad; Colorado lamb shoulder; rosemary, tomato and Gouda polenta; and chocolate chestnut torte with raspberry sauce.  A vegetarian option also is available.  Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the cost is $65 per adult (includes a trail pass and equipment rental but not gratuity or alcohol).  Reservations and information are available at http://www.cbnordic.org/.

Yoga for the Peaceful in Crested Butte is offering a Valentine's Day Prana Flow & Chocolate Class on Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m. and Partner Thai Yoga on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m.  For information and costs, call (970) 349-0302 and go to http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/www.yogaforthepeaceful.com.

"Love Letters," the popular and moving play by A.R. Gurney, chronicles a 50-year love affair carried on primarily through letters between Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and takes place at Crested Butte Center for the Arts on Feb. 17 and 18 at 8 p.m.  The characters discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats that have occurred throughout their separated lives.  Tickets costs $15 and can be purchased at www.crestedbuttearts.org.

Learn how to take spectacular photographs with local professional photographers Xavier Fane and Raynor Czerwinski while accessing amazing subject matter on snowshoes or Nordic skis.  On Feb. 19, the Nordic photography workshop by Fane focuses on "Catching the Action" and runs from 3 - 5:30 p.m., and Czerwinski's "Photographing the Earth Shadow" takes place from 4 - 7 p.m.  The workshops cost $55 each and include a Nordic ski pass but not equipment.  For equipment needed and registration, go to www.crestedbuttearts.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.

• A sleigh ride, Crested Butte style, is being pulled by a snowcat at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and dining at cozy Uley's Cabin mid-mountain. Call (800) 810-7669 for reservations and prices or visit www.skicb.com.
• Numerous other locally-owned restaurants and nightspots also make travels to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley a culinary delight. Look for specials being offered for Valentine's week, and go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/dining and review the wide range of dining options.
• 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. Go to www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com or call (888)-OUTFITT.
• Snuggle up 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.

Valentine's Week Vacation Deals
With the Dinner at the Yurt Package, couples embark on an easy cross-country ski or snowshoe tour to the Magic Meadow Yurt (approximately one mile each way), nestled amongst the pines and peaks, for a gourmet dinner at the yurt.  This package for two includes two nights at the romantic Inn at Crested Butte, complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon wine hours both days, and dinner at the yurt (including equipment rental and trail pass but not gratuity and alcohol).  The cost is $508 for Feb 13 - 15 (dinner on Feb 14) or $540 for Feb 18 - 20 (dinner on Feb 19).  Taxes are not included and package is based on availability.  To book, call (800) 814-8893 or visit www.GCBPackages.com. 

Take your beloved to the slopes for a romantic getaway with Valentines in Paradise. This package includes two night's lodging in a studio deluxe room at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square, one day of skiing for two people at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, a sleigh ride (pulled by a snowcat!) to a five-course meal at Uley's Cabin, a couple's massage at Elevation Spa, and a dozen roses and bottle of champagne in upon arrival.  CBMR has made it easy to surprise your sweetheart with this offer, which is available for $1,149, plus resort fees and taxes. Visit www.skicb.com/specials or call Crested Butte Vacations at (800) 600-2803.

Escape to a cozy winter wonderland with the Romantic Mountain Getaway for Valentines package, staying two nights in a premium cabin by the Taylor River at Three Rivers Resort in Almont and enjoying dinner for two at Garlic Mike's Italian Restaurant in nearby Gunnison ($50 gift certificate).  A private hot tub, fireplace and all the comforts of home will be yours to enjoy for only $350.  The package is valid Feb. 10 - 14, 2012, on new reservations only.  Discounted lift tickets to Crested Butte Mountain Resort are available.  For reservations and other lodging options, call (888) 761-3474 and visit www.3riversresort.com.

The Ruby of Crested Butte bed and breakfast and Django's Restaurant and Wine Bar are offering a package that will leave couples wishing they could linger longer.  The Best of Colorado Getaway includes a two-night stay for two with complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of Prosecco upon arrival; gourmet, organic breakfasts served each morning; a couples hot stone massage; one apres-ski experience at Django's (includes two complimentary Ruby Red cocktails) and a romantic dinner for two at Django's.  Prices start at $695 for the Feb. 10 - 19 time period and do not include tax.  Call (800) 390-1338, and visit www.therubyofcrestedbutte.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 www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/packages.  Also find us 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 and during the winter season by American Airlines and Continental Airlines.

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. 

Gunnison, county seat and a real western town, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, which offers bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional fields.  Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities. 

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 28 miles from Gunnison and 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.  Marble is located in the Upper Crystal River Valley along the Elk Mountains and is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed mill sites in the country. Marble has seven sites on the National Register of Historic Places and is the location of the Yule Marble Quarry.

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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For a Word version of this press release, click on the link below. 

Contact:                       Beth Buehler                                        

                                   Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association               

                                   (970) 349-1168 or bethbuehler@qwestoffice.net

                                   http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/