Skiing should be romantic. There's you and your significant other and snow - and that need for warmth at the end of the day.

You don't have to look far to find nooks with the right dose of downhill skiing and après ski ambiance for a romantic getaway. Book a trip for you and your sweetheart at one of these charming spots just a Cupid's arrowshot from the slopes. Your winter resort rendezvous will have you looking like a Harlequin novel hero or heroine.

Stowe
Stowe is known as “The Ski Capital of the East,” for its history (dating back to the 1930’s) and heralded Front Four trails: Liftline, Goat, Starr and National. I think this highest ski peak could also be cast as “romance resort of the East,” for its softer side, snow-covered sidewalks in the shadows of the church steeple, outstanding eateries and abundant après ski pubs. Stowe has an alpine elegance that you just don’t find in most ski towns. Splurge on a slope view room, and spa treatments, at the Stowe Mountain Lodge. The Alpine Concierge will fetch your skis, wine and cheese, just about anything you please.

Jackson
Jackson is a postcard perfect kind of place in The White Mountains. Ski the quaint slopes of Black Mountain or take in the extraordinary scenery at Wildcat by day. Then stay at the lovely Wentworth Inn by night. After a delicious breakfast at the opulent inn, you’re 15 minutes to four ski areas including Attitash and Cranmore. A romantic room with a Jacuzzi tub, candles and fluffy robes, followed by fireside dinner await your return from outdoor exhilaration.

Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods, NH’s largest ski area, is a treat for the eyes and the skis, featuring well-groomed snow, a good variety of gentle glades, and dramatic views of the highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard, Mount Washington at 6,288’. After schussing the slopes, stay at the spectacular century-old Hotel Mount Washington. Watch the Alpenglow over cocktails, succumb to treatments at the Presidential Spa, then savor dinner and dancing in the ballroom followed by nightlife in the Cave. You’ll feel like a prince and princess in a snow-covered Castle.

Sugarbush
The Mad River Valley has those magic romance factors - covered bridges, cutesy Vermont shops, and rolling hills blanketed in sparkling snow. Add to the mix two ski mountains interconnected at Sugarbush - Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen, and you have yourself a winter winner. In fact, the Slide Brook Express swiftly transports skiers between Sugarbush’s separate slopes over hotly debated bear mating territory – which has been subject to debate by environmentalists. This could make for an interesting chairlift chat.

After ripping turns on Ripcord, or just enjoying the views on Jester, you can stay slopeside at Clay Brook. Or head to The Pitcher Inn in Warren, a lovely Relais and Châteaux property where no two rooms are alike. I recommend the Ski Room. Across the street is the classic Warren Country Store and the posh Alta Day Spa – all owned by Winn Smith along with a share of Sugarbush ski area. There’s no nightlife here, just an elegant candlelit dinner at the Inn, followed by a Jacuzzi and a crackling fireplace upstairs in your room. That should do.

Woodstock
The scenic, historical hamlet of Woodstock is a super setting for a romantic winter weekend. The Woodstock Inn is the place to stay – the Inn owns Suicide Six alpine ski area (dating back to 1934) and its own Nordic facility, plus you’re just a 20-mile drive to Killington’s ski lifts. Staying at the 1969 Woodstock Inn, you are treated to elegant four-diamond lodging, four-star dining, and live jazz in the 1793 replica Tavern. Relax by the Inn’s 20-foot fireplace, and read up on the love story of Laurence S. Rockefeller and Mary Billings French –founders of Vermont’s only National Park in Woodstock.

Okemo
Okemo has great groomers, delicious on-mountain food, and a regal Castle to cap off your day of downhill. The Castle Hill Resort and Spa is a gorgeous 1905 stone Castle, built for the wealthy Vermont Governor Fletcher (1912-1915) as his turn-of-the-century party palace. The Castle is richly decorated and perfectly preserved with a mahogany paneled library, private dining room and wine cellar, plus regal guest rooms upstairs. Ski and stay packages at the Castle Hill Resort and Spa include Champagne and Belgium chocolates in your room, a four-course dinner and breakfast, and use of the Aveda Spa facilities with outdoor heated pool and hot tub.

North Conway
If shopping and skiing is the way to your woman’s heart, then get thee to the White Mountains of North Conway. Be sure to make ski tracks in the great outdoors at Cranmore or Attitash, save the outlet shopping for the afternoon, followed by drinks and dinner at one of many fun establishments like the Shovel Handle Pub at Whitney’s Inn in nearby Jackson. There are oodles of cozy New Hampshire inns to choose from that ooze romance, many offer ski and stay packages. Check with the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Sugarloaf
Book a penthouse room in the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel so you and your sugar-pie can hang out slopeside. You’ll be walking distance to Sugarloaf’s famed après ski and nightlife at the Bag, Gepettos, and the Widowmaker (a great dance spot with live music despite the name). Sugarloaf’s lift rides can be cozy as you snuggle up together at this typically chilly Maine Mountain. A romantic snow cat ride takes you to dinner at mid-mountain Bullwinkles makes for a dreamy day at the Loaf.

Over the border choices:
Quebec City
Quebec City is like a European city, sans jetlag. The French “joie de vivre” permeates the cool air along the cobblestone streets and cafes of Old Quebec, and the scenic snowy slopes of Mont Sainte Anne, about 30-minutes from the City. Stay at the landmark Château Frontenac (not the Ice Hotel – brrr) and savor après ski in this legendary 17th century city (just 40-minutes drive to the slopes) or stay slopeside at the Château Mont Sainte Anne for first tracks, dog sledding and fondue dinners by the mountain.

Tremblant
Tremblant in Canada is another Euromantic ski spot –the perfectly planned Intrawest (now Fortress) ski village seems plucked from the snowy Alps. Once you have made the drive, past Montreal, you can walk to the ski lifts, the boutiques, the gourmet bistros, and the bars that rock till late. Tremblant is a happening place, busy during weekends and holidays but wonderfully romantic if you can steal your little bon bon away midweek.
.

s