February in the Tetons What could be more romantic than spending Valentine's Day in the snow-capped Tetons, snuggling up with your honey after a day spent bonding in the great outdoors? (Spending it in a candlelit cafe in Paris? Maybe. But that's beside the point.) Jackson Hole offers plenty of ways to go beyond the traditional dinner and movie date and spend the day out in the mountains, savoring the romance of these incredible peaks. Check out these five active-minded options for Valentine's Day in the Tetons.
1. Get high on top of Rendezvous Mountain.
Whether gearing up for a day of skiing, or just going up for a sight-see, there's a certain amount of romance in being 10,450 feet above sea level together. Take the Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. Share a Nutella waffle or a brown sugar waffle in Corbet's Cabin, the cozy shelter and ski shack at the top of the Tram. (If you're just heading up for a snack and the view, be sure to buy a sightseeing ticket instead of a full lift ticket. You can take the Tram back down without having to ski a single turn.)
For more adventurous pairs, make your way to the Rendezvous Bowl, a black diamond run. If you're headed out of bounds (and have appropriate backcountry gear, knowledge, and avalanche safety knowledge and equipment), you can head to Granite or Cody Peak from up top.
And for a Valentine's Day experience that comes with serious bragging rights, head over to Corbet's Couloir. Not for the faint of heart, Corbet's Couloir requires mandatory air and is infamous as one of the most challenging in-bounds runs around.
2. Be a powder hound with your honey.
Jesslee Cuizon
For less advanced skiers, JHMR offers plenty of terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers, from the blue runs off Casper to the terrain parks. Or, head straight up the Gondola and see if you can find the “Barbie Woods,” mysteriously lurking out in the trees (see the kids' map on top of the Gondola for directions).
Casper Restaurant has chili cheese fries that will fuel a few more hours of mountain fun. Then, head to the base and indulge in apres at the Alpenhof. Dunk apples, bread, and schnitzel into fondue, or sink your teeth into a doughy pretzel with stoneground mustard. Or, head to the Spur and share a massive plate of Marley Nachos (complete with jerk chicken) with your partner.
3. Snowshoe in Grand Teton National Park.
If you'd rather have snowshoes strapped to your feet, head up to Grand Teton National Park and make your way to Bradley and Taggart Lakes. The Teton Park Road is closed right after the Bradley-Taggart parking lot in the winter, so park there and head out on your snowshoes. Select from a 3-mile roundtrip out-and-back to Taggart Lake, the 4-mile Taggart Lake-Beaver Creek Loop, or the 3.4-mile Bradley Lake out-and-back.
After your snowshoe, stop by Dornan's in Moose for wine, pizza, and snacks. If it's a clear day, savor the amazing views of the Tetons through the plate-glass windows.
4. Celebrate at WinterFest
Joe Ross
Valentine's Day is right at the heart of Jackson Hole's annual WinterFest . Planned events for the day include snowmobile races, ice skating, and cutter races .
The snowmobile action begins at 9 am when the Jackson Hole Snowmobile Races commence seven miles south of town at Robertson Ranch. Snowcross and vintage oval racing take center stage, as racers from the Rockies gather to fly around the snowcross track, then test their mettle on the vintage scene with machines that are more than a quarter-century old.
Cutter races begin at South Park at noon. Afterward, spend the afternoon skating 'round the Town Square, with public skating from 3-9 pm.
5. Nosh and stargaze.
For a town of its size, Jackson is packed with amazing restaurants. From Rendezvous Bistro to Snake River Grill, The Blue Lion to Q Roadhouse, there are plenty of delectable options to pick from. If you're looking for handmade chocolates and a cup of coffee, stop by Coco Love. Head over to Bin 22 to sample wines and enjoy small plates.
On the way home, take a peek at the stars—Valentine's Day is close to the new moon, so if the skies are clear, the views should be stunning. Or, after dinner, consider grabbing your headlamp and fat bike, and head up Cache Creek for some after-hours riding.
Originally written by RootsRated.
Featured image provided by Jeff Gunn