Romantic Eastern Ski Getaway without kids

Romantic Ski Getaways in New England

Skiing with family is my favorite thing. What could be better than family skiing, carving turns as a tight- knit family? I’ll tell you what: an occasional ski weekend without the kids.

Skiing can be romantic you see, if you aren’t stressing about everyone’s gear, cold fingers and tears, worried that little Tina took the wrong turn, trying to find Jonny’s goggles in the base lodge bathroom. Imagine just you and your sweetie sneaking away for a romantic retreat in the mountains. Just the two of you, leaving extra room in your slopeside suite, and extra time for après ski indulgences.

If you met on the slopes, or you fell for each other at a cozy country inn in winter, you know…. It’s time to recapture that romance and make tracks together while enjoying a reprieve from parenting – even if only for two days. Here are a five romantic ski spots, to keep your love alive. The kids will survive.

Stowe Vermont

Maybe it’s because my first ski date was at Stowe that I find this Vermont ski resort to be uber-romantic. Stowe Village has an alpine elegance befitting a postcard. The Mountain Road leads to dozens of dreamy inns and delicious restaurants, and Stowe’s slopes are among the best around. Any guy will fall for his gal if she can ski Stowe’s Front Four: Liftline, Goat, Starr and National. Since “The Ski Capital of the East” has gotten a makeover at Spruce Peak, there is now super swank slopeside lodging and a spa at the grand Lodge at Spruce Peak at Stowe. End your day by handing your skis to your Alpine Concierge, saving your energy for the spa, après indulges at the Lodge, and a candlelight dinner. See where to stay at Stowe for a romantic ski trip

Jackson New Hampshire

As you enter though the classic Covered Bridge, you slip into a magical place. Jackson is just the quaintest ski town in New Hampshire. In the heart of the majestic White Mountains, you can ski at nearby Black, Attitash, Wildcat or Cranmore, or cross-country ski for miles around the pretty river valley. Then lodge at the hilltop Eagle Mountain House or the lovely Wentworth Inn where your Jacuzzi tub, candles and fluffy robes awaits, followed by a fireside four course dinner. Book lodging at Wentworth or Eagle Mountain House in Jackson NH.

Bretton Woods
As NH’s largest ski area, you have the best of both worlds: modern, manicured skiing with century-old grandeur at the Hotel Mount Washington. After carving Bretton Woods scenic slopes – served by a beautiful gondola, enjoy the Alpenglow over Mount Washington with cocktails, spoil yourselves at the Presidential Spa, then dine and dance in the elegant ballroom. The prohibition vintage Cave is cool for a nightcap, then tuck in and dream of your next day skiing side by side. Book Omni Hotel Mount Washington

Sugarbush Vermont
The Mad River Valley is actually a very happy place. A romantic weekend here includes requisite covered bridges, Vermont country shops, and charming inns set amongst snowy landscape. By day you have Sugarbush’s two interconnected mountains – Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, and nearby Mad River Glen if you are more hard-core about your turns. Either way, you will have an action-packed ski day, followed by your choice of some topnotch restaurants to refuel while you reminisce about your favorite ski runs. Then retreat to a romantic room at The Pitcher Inn in Warren, or The Inn at Round Barn Farm, or stay by the slopes at Sugarbush’s on mountain hotel -The Clay Brook Inn.

Quebec’s Tremblant in winter is like April in Paris. The highlight of this Eu-romantic ski resort is the perfectly planned Intrawest ski village which simulates a snowy village from the Alps. Once you have made the drive, 90-minutes past Montreal, you can park your car underground, walk to the ski lifts, the boutiques, the gourmet bistros, and the après bars that rock till late (after all the French invited après ski). Try Tremblant for alpine amour, best enjoyed midweek as weekends get busy given the proximity to Montreal.

Missing the kids yet? I didn’t think so. Enjoy your romantic ski getaway.

Reasons to leave your kids at home for a ski weekend:
1. The kids need to bond with their Grandparents, Aunt/Uncle, (fill in the blank caregiver).
2. Imagine an entire car ride with no one saying “are we there yet?”
3. Kids should learn the joys of sledding in the backyard, which they miss if you spoil them with skiing every weekend.
4. You will save money on lifts & lodging, when it’s just the two of you.
5. You will find it easier to make first tracks, only two to keep track of.
6. Ski the runs YOU want for a change without a whole family debate.
7. When’s the last time you had a real date? A ski date is even better.
8. You can actually enjoy après ski.
9. The parental guilt will subside after a few gorgeous glade runs and a Jacuzzi.
10. The kids will appreciate your next family ski trip more.
Perhaps you met on the slopes, or you fell for each other at a cozy country inn. It’s time to recapture that romance and make tracks together while enjoying a reprieve from parenting – if only for two days.