Cold nights, open fires, mulled wine and falling snowflakes. Add one strapping male with a bouffant and a cable knit sweater feeding fondue to a doe-eyed brunette in a tight-belted turtle neck onesie with fur-lined knee-high snow boots, and you've got a true snow love right there. If only it were that easy.
Too often the romantic ideal of the snow and all that mulled wine does not match the reality of Jaigermeister served in 'shotskis' at a bar where your feet stick to the floor, and your integrity is checked in with your coat. But don't panic. If you're looking for mister or miss right then you've come to the right place - a week long holiday at a ski resort in peak season. But, if you are looking for a long term relationship then you probably have a better chance with Tinder.
With some forward planning, you may well find yourself in the minority category of those who marry the man they met at 2am at The Keller in Thredbo. They do exist (one of my best friends is one of them), though all I meet at the Keller is a hangover and a bunch of middle-aged married blokes, who are single above the snow line.
As my mother says, there's no harm in trying, but then she's been married for 55 years so 'trying' is no longer her forte. I, however, may consider the following should I still be single next winter.
Bro-mance at Coronet Peak, New Zealand
Come Friday September 5, singles will be sharing the chairlift with other singles as the resort hosts their annual speed dating night. It costs nothing to find love (except the price of a night skiing ticket) and they will even give you dutch courage in a champagne glass for your troubles. The Cupid Express starts cranking at 6pm.
Mantown at St Anton, Austria
If you're a single female then they say the odds are good (eight men to every woman) at St 'Man'ton. January is officially Ladies First Week with complimentary drinks at various bars around town, discounted spa treatments to keep you glowing and a Ladies First voucher book in a bid to encourage more females to the man heavy town.
Star gazing at Park City, Utah
For the star-crossed lover you won't get better celebrity odds than at the Sundance Film Festival in January at Park City in Utah. The town hosts ten days of dinners, drinks, parties, film viewings, debates and movie madness when your average celebrity mingles with your average ski bum. If an Olsen Twin, a Wahlberg, a Fanning or a Baldwin don't notice you then you are not trying hard enough.
Valentine's Day at Keystone Resort, Colorado
There's nothing more nauseating than being single in America during the Hallmark Valentine's Day. Next time just head to Keystone Resort in Colorado. The singles line for the Keystone Gondola turns into a hot speed dating line for two hours every February 14.
Hit the gondola, just you and another single safe in the knowledge the lift will keep turning and you'll be back out on the slopes in minutes should you find yourself with the man or woman of your nightmares rather than your dreams. If you feel the connection then you can meet up for the Love on the Lift apres party at the 9280 Tap House that evening.
Gay Ski Week in Queenstown or Aspen
If you're eager then Queenstown comes first, August 30 to September 6 with an on and off mountain schedule featuring Bingay, karaoke, a circus-themed dance party with Kate Monroe, and skiing and riding at Cardrona. Still keen? Then head to Aspen from January 11 to 18 for a Downhill Costume Parade, Red dance party at The Sky Hotel and Apres Ski Hot Tub Parties at The Limelight Hotel.
The Singles Chalet in Chamonix and Morzine
The crew behind Cold Fusion Chalets know how to throw a good singles party. They throw them in a chalet and they last all week. The company has three chalets that sleep from 10 to 18 people.
The premise is that single travellers book in for one of the beds in the chalet and stay with other single travellers for a week at a time. There's a cook, a driver and a ski host to do all your bookings. Breakfast, afternoon tea and evening meals with unlimited wine are provided to help with 'bonding'.
Snowbombing in Mayrhofen, Austria
Think of this as a music festival at the snow. You know the type, late night dancing under the stars to DJ's bringing a mass crowd to a musical peak before depositing them gently upon a euphoria crowd.
Join in the Snowbombing antics from April 6 to 11, if you don't find love then you're not dancing hard enough. This is the Woodstock of the snow generation after all. Past performers include The Prodigy, Fat Boy Slim, The Chemical Brothers and Groove Armada so you are in fine company.
Have you tried speed dating on a chair lift? Did you find love at the snow for a night, a season or a lifetime?
INSTAGRAM COMPETITION
We are so excited about our #misssnowitall Instagram competition this year and with a trip to Japan up for grabs who wouldn't be? Did your instagram make our gallery this week?
Thanks to the Japan experts at Liquid Snow Tours and Hakuba Hotel Group we have a trip for two to Hakuba in Japan flying direct with Jetstar from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne with seven nights at the conveniently located Hakuba Springs Hotel, daily breakfast, five of nine day multi-resort lift passes for the Hakuba Valley, welcome drinks, transfers, in resort assistance and concierge service. Now that's how you do Hakuba in style.
To enter just tag your winter inspired Instagrams with #misssnowitall.
We will choose five finalists each week for our gallery above, and come September, our guest judge will choose our finalists from the gallery and you get to judge the ultimate winner of this fantastic week in Japan. Click here for full terms and conditions.
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Email Miss Snow It All [email protected]
St Anton, Austria: Why this famous alpine resort is the place to ski and party
Ski New Zealands famous four resorts: Land of the long white runs
Women at the snow: Were not just eye candy
Winter sports in weird locations
Powder on your doorstep: ski adventures close to US cities
Miss Snow It All Instagram photo competition 2015: Win a trip to Whistler
