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10 Romantic Resorts to Ski and Stay
We're at the tail end of the snow season, but now is a perfect time to take advantage of the blue skies and remaining snow.

From around the nation and Canada, we've rounded up 10 mountain resorts that offer a little something for couples who enjoy the snow and cold. Even in March, it's not too late to grab your ski bunny and hit the slopes.

1. Heavenly, California / Nevada (www.skiheavenly.com) – Besides being California’s largest winter playground, Heavenly’s premiere location offers an array of romantic activities like hot air ballooning, natural hot springs and the moments that money can’t buy, like jaw-dropping views of Lake Tahoe. Mark Twain called the lake, "the fairest picture the whole earth affords." For a couple that shies away from Tahoe’s bustling nightlife, a quieter Sierra experience awaits at The Inn at Heavenly (www.innatheavenly.com), a rustic bed and breakfast tucked away in a wooded park on the South Lake. Reservations include a two-for-one ski rental coupon, complimentary continental breakfast, wine and cheese, spa and hydro-massage.

2. Deer Valley, Utah (www.deervalley.com) – The first North American resort to offer five-star services, Deer Valley knows how to package luxury services, groomed-to-perfection slopes and award-winning cuisine all in one vacation. Cuddle up with your loved one on an old-fashioned sleigh ride, enjoying the dramatic countryside Deer Valley has to offer, or capture the special moments by booking a photography or video service on your trip. Wine connoisseurs can find their fix at the Stein Eriksen Lodge (http://steinlodge.com), with a 10,000-bottle wine cellar and private wine seminars. Also, indulge yourself in house-made Belgian Callebaut and French Valrhona chocolates, made by an executive pastry chef.

3. Lake Placid, New York (www.lakeplacid.com) – Looking to escape the frantic pace of city life? Lake Placid is the getaway for couples looking to lose themselves in nature’s tranquil setting by snowshoe, snowmobile or dogsled. Venture through spectacular terrain, with the backdrop of Adirondack Park, while you create memories to last a lifetime. After a long day of seeing the sites, unwind with a romantic couple’s spa, found at The Whiteface Lodge (www.thewhitefacelodge.com). The lodge’s rustic and Zen-inspired relaxation venue offers a package incorporating a couple’s massage, daily breakfast, and a two-night stay in a deluxe bedroom suite, complete with breathtaking views of the mountains and Lake Placid woods from a private balcony.

4. Big Sky, Montana (www.bigskyresort.com) – This wild location offers world-class skiing, blue-ribbon trout fishing and the unrivaled scenery of Yellowstone National Park. Go west by taking a sleigh ride to Lone Mountain Ranch, where you’ll enjoy a wood stove-simmered prime rib, live entertainment and stories by lantern light. The River Rock Lodge, (www.riverrocklodging.com) a rustic getaway, also hosts a Ski, Stay & Romance package, which includes two lift tickets to the slopes, free continental breakfast, a romantic sleigh ride, full couples' massage and the finishing touches—chocolate and champagne. The package starts at $495 per night and is available through April 14th (www.riverrocklodging.com/valentines_package.html).

5. Mammoth Mountain, California (www.mammothmountain.com) – Known to pack in enough snow to last until June, Mammoth is a 3,500-acre winter wonderland for snowboarders and skiers of all levels. In its massiveness, couples can choose to take it easy with 19 miles of groomed cross-country trails or get their adrenaline rush with freestyle parks and snowmobiles. At night, The Village comes alive, with shopping and dining sure to tear you away from the mountainside. Trying to get away from the hustle and bustle? For the nature-lover, the luxurious Tamarack Lodge & Resort (www.tamaracklodge.com) provides Full-Moon Hikes, where an informed guide takes you through the trails on skis or snowshoes during winter full moons. Finish with a hot drink and dessert by the lodge’s fireplace.

6. Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada (www.whistlerblackcomb.com) – World-famous for its alpine skiing, the biggest vertical drop in North America and the site hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler Blackcomb is, without a doubt, the most action-packed ski field on the continent. Included in 8,000 acres of powder are an all-encompassing tube park, dog sledding, and even ziptrek ecotours—a three-hour journey gliding on cables and suspension bridges through the forest valley. Also in operation for more than 27 years is the Whistler heli-skiing and boarding tour. Experience the thrill of a lifetime as your guide drops you on the best ski area for the day and the photography crew captures video and snapshots of your run. Over the last decade, Whistler has been consistently voted "Best North American Ski Resort" by North Americans.

7. Vail, Colorado (http://vail.snow.com/winter) – Tired of the crowds and waiting in line for the lift? Find some elbow room at Vail, the largest ski resort in the U.S., housing four terrain parks, seven bowls and 5,289 acres of free-ride terrain. If horseback riding, tubing, backcountry trips and fly fishing don’t appeal to you, there’s still a phenomenal nightlife, including free concerts and luxurious French and Italian dining. The Minturn Inn (www.minturninn.com) is a scenic Rocky Mountain getaway nestled between Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts. A converted 1915 home, the mountain retreat offers a customizable Romance Package for couples with optional flowers, wine, champagne and/or a box of assorted truffles waiting in your room when you arrive.

8. Big Squaw Mountain, Maine (http://www.bigsquawmountain.com) – Good things come in small packages. While Big Squaw Mountain may not stand out in the most acreage, however it may be the best place to find a little R&R, not to mention romantic elements—without breaking the bank. The Green Village Inn, (www.greenvilleinn.com) chosen as one of BedandBreakfast.com’s five Best of New England B&Bs, is a luxurious 1895 Victorian mansion, overlooking the epic Moosehead Lake. The couple’s package starts at $325 for two nights, which includes champagne, fresh flowers, a candlelit breakfast and commemorative CD. Upgrade to a Master Suite at $535 and enjoy use of complimentary robes, an oversized soaking tub and a private sitting area next to the fire. Finally the Tower Suite at $735 includes a two-person whirlpool tub with waterfall and candlelight and a view of Moosehead Lake.

9. Jackson Hole, Wyoming (www.jacksonhole.com) - Nicknamed "The Big One," Jackson Hole offers more than 2,500 square acres of powder and backcountry that accommodate beginning to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Try a new undertaking with your spouse with heli-skiing or snow kite boarding. Each year, the Mountain Festival also takes place in late season, offering live concerts and a mechanical bull rodeo. All this is done with the backdrop of the Grand Teton National Park, home of some of the most riveting scenes on earth. The Rusty Parrot Lodge (www.rustyparrot.com) bundles your vacation into three types of getaways: Powder Packages, Heli-Skiing Packages and the Escape into Winter Package. With a suggested itinerary, you can find time to scale the slopes, see the sites and enjoy dinner at the lodge’s four-diamond rated restaurant.

10. Stowe, Vermont (www.stowe.com) – A town almost entirely tourism-based, Stowe is a vacation destination designed with couples in mind. Besides being a Nordic skier’s dream site, with over 15 miles of backcountry trails, the site offers dog sled tours, spas, night skiing and the Cliff House restaurant, atop Mount Mansfield. Saturday nights feature the "Summit Series" dinners, which include a gondola ride with hot cider and a candlelit six-course meal. Guests at Stowe Mountain Lodge (www.stowemountainlodge.com) can also opt for "Wellness Weekend" trips, where couples can look into their current physical state, as well as future wellness goals. Personal trainers, nutrition counselors and behavior coaches are on site to help guests discover and revitalize their health and realize their goals in one life-changing weekend.


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