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Chocolates? Stuffed animals? Flowers? Nah—your Valentine’s Day date wants a trip to higher ground this month. Flying solo? Even better—lift tickets and après drinks for one are easier on the wallet.
Put the proverbial cherry on top of your V-Day gift with one of the events below. Maybe dinner and a show in Beaver Creek or a brew-heavy bluegrass fest. And, hey, if you still need your Valentine’s Day confections, stop by the wine and chocolate fete in Estes Park.
Read More: Fun Things to Do in Denver This Week
Jump Ahead:
Estes Park
Wine & Chocolate Festival
Forget the last-minute Whole Foods flowers and chocolates. Instead, wow your loved one with this sweet wine and chocolate gathering. You and your sweetheart can pick out the perfect pairings, from wines from spots such as Bookcliff Vineyards and Evergood Adventure Wines to chocolates from Colorado Cocoa Pod and cheese from MouCo Cheese Company. Feb. 7; noon–6 p.m.; $5–$50
Steamboat Springs
Western BBQ
Live out all your Yellowstone dreams at this lively dinner-and-dancing series. Fuel up with a buffet of smoked meats and traditional sides, then put on your cowboy boots for an evening of two-step and line dancing accompanied by a live band and instructor. Dec. 18–March 20; dinner times vary, make a reservation here; $64 for kids, $90 for adults
Steamboat Winter Carnival
Between a ski ballet competition, a dual slalom bicycle race, and the “Diamond Hitch” parade, this gathering has some events you’ll likely never see in the X Games (hint: the last one includes kiddos being pulled by four-legged animals). Plus, this year, you can partake in odes to the Winter Olympics, such as an Olympic Heritage Tour with Olympian Ben Berend and a Team USA brew at Mountain Tap Brewery. Feb. 3–8; times vary; $15, some events extra
WinterWonderGrass
While fair-weather music lovers might get excited for “festival season,” Coloradans know that every season is festival season. That’s why thousands of bluegrass fans flock to Steamboat each winter for this multiday event. This year, look forward to sets by Leftover Salmon, Clay Street Unit, and Sierra Hull, plus after-dark gigs in local venues such as the Thunderhead Lodge. Feb. 27–March 1; times vary; starting at $125 for a one-day pass
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Colorado Music Festivals
Summit County
International Snow Sculpture Championships
The artists participating in this creative competition work with what might be the most Colorado medium of all: snow. Teams from across the globe will gather in Breckenridge to carve sculptures (think: massive vikings, angels, a robot arm) out of 25-ton blocks of snow. The most impressive part? All tools must be hand-powered, meaning no chainsaws. Visitors can peruse the final products through February 3. Jan. 24–Feb. 3; times vary; free
Jodi Stuart: Second Life
Plastics can take up to 500 years to decompose, which is why artist Jodi Stuart is working to transform some of this forever trash into meaningful art. In this Breck Create exhibit, Stuart will present colorful, life-size sculptures made from recycled plastics that twist and bend in gravity-defying ways. Jan. 24–March 29; times vary; free
Spontaneous Combustion Fireworks
If your Christmas tree is still taking up space in your living room corner, this might be the most exciting way to get rid of it. In Frisco, you can join a party to toss around 300 trees into a massive bonfire. Even if you don’t want to schlep your tree from the Front Range, it’s still worth a visit: DJ Landry will spin tunes and there will be fireworks, food, and beverages for sale. Feb. 7; bonfire starts at 6 p.m., fireworks at 8 p.m.; free
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
If you don’t like spending even a moment off the slopes during winter, this film fest can help you explore the backcountry even while you rest. From mountain biking to rock climbing to—yes—skiing, you’ll be treated to a program of exhilarating mountain flicks from across the globe. Feb. 20–21; 6–10 p.m.; $30–$50
Mardi Gras 4Paws
Before you hit the pub for Mardi Gras brews, make sure you pencil in this adorable diversion. On Frisco’s Main Street, tons of four-legged fur babies will parade in their best costumes. Register your pup for the procession, or just come to gawk at the gold, purple, and green-bedecked dogs, drink a Yappy Hour beer, and watch the King and Queen be awarded. Feb. 21; noon–2 p.m.; free attendance, dog registration $20
Vail and Beaver Creek
Mark Twain Tonight!
Before Steve Martin, Martin Short, Amy Schumer, or Chris Rock, Mark Twain was the leading funnyman in America. In this one-man show, Richard Thomas (who you might know from Ozark and who is coming off of roles in Our Town and To Kill a Mockingbird) will embody the 19th-century writer in a commanding performance studded with Twain’s trademark witticisms and keen observations. Feb. 3; 7 p.m.; $42–$76
Sunrise Concert at Vail Mountain
Bragging rights collectors won’t want to miss this first-ever concert held on Vail Mountain under the Back Bowls sign. Accessible only by skis or snowboard, the concert will feature DJ Chris Lorenzo, who will perform his set on a snow cat. Perhaps the best part? The show starts at 8 a.m.—so you can begin your ski day in the best way possible. (Psst: The event is free, but only 300 wristbands will be given out the day before on a first-come, first-served basis). Feb. 6; 8–9:30 a.m.; free, wristbands given out on Feb. 5
Vail Legacy Weekend
Long before tourists schussed freshly groomed trails and ski lifts made traversing the mountain painless, Vail Mountain was populated by members of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. In fact, after World War II, veterans helped establish the resort. Learn more about that history during this event-packed weekend, during which you can meet with 10th Mountain soldiers and see WWII-era vehicles, watch a torchlight parade and fireworks, see a Black Hawk helicopter landing, and more. Feb. 28–March 1; times vary; free participation
Winter Park
Winter Park Express Ski Train
This seasonal Amtrak offering is so popular that it opened a month earlier this year. The Winter Park Express, also known as the “ski train,” takes passengers from Denver Union Station straight to Winter Park. During the two-hour-long ride, families can enjoy stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and Moffat Tunnel—all while circumventing the blood-pressure-spiking I-70 traffic. (Bonus: The train will stow your skis for free.) Dec. 19–March 31; times vary, check schedule; starting at $9
