Untraditional ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day

Ditch the traditional and embrace adventure this Valentine's or Galentine's Day. Photo: Wasatch Excursions.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Ditch the traditional and embrace adventure this Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day with Wasatch Excursions, CREATE PC, local art workshops, and more out-of-the-chocolate-box ideas. Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline rush in the mountains, fun, artistic experiences with your besties, or a unique cultural outing, there’s something for everyone.

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CREATE PC Local Artist Collective

CREATE PC Local Artist Collective, a program facilitated by the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County, provides local artists with studio and gallery exhibition space and sales opportunities. As a local artist collective focused on fostering a sense of community. The program emphasizes the artistic process, allowing artists to create and sell work in an inclusive community space.

Beyond exhibition space, the Collective has great gifts for loved ones from the Makers Market including locally crafted jewelry, cards, art prints, apparel, woodworkers, stained glass, food items, and books. Walk the gallery and pick out a thoughtful gift for friends or partners.

Wasatch Excursions

Perfect for beginners and experienced riders, Wasatch Excursions guided snowmobile tours, climbing 2,500 feet to stunning peaks, covering varied terrain. Guides ensure a personalized experience and serve as photographers. The most popular 2-hour tour offers a balance of adventure and comfort with Skidoo Grand Touring 600 ACE snowmobiles featuring heated grips and ergonomic controls.

For more experienced snowmobilers, the off-trail private tours offer fresh powder and expert coaching on Gen 5 Summit Snowmobiles. These rides are a physical challenge but an exhilarating experience. Choose your adventure of three, four, or six-hour tours. bigger, more high-powered machine “No one goes through the trees like we do. It’s an unmatched excursion,” said Patrick Kessler.

Use code VALENTINE10 for 10% off from Feb. 12-17.

Galentine’s Parties with Tortured Hearts Studio

Show some love for your gal pals with a creative and fun-filled Galentine’s celebration, and enjoy hands-on jewelry-making workshops. No experience is required, and all tools are provided.

• Art Collage & Vision Board Party: Create a vision board or art collage in a peaceful studio with provided supplies. Bring personal images to make your board uniquely yours.
  • Monday, Feb. 10, 5- 8 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 16, from 5-8 p.m.
• Stacking Rings Party: Learn to form, cut, and solder sterling silver to craft a custom set of three stacking rings.
  • Wednesday Feb. 12, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 14, from 5-8 p.m.
• Stamped Charms Party: Design and make sterling silver charms featuring names, words, mandalas, or motifs for necklaces, bracelets, or earrings.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 5-8 p.m.; Friday Feb. 14, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 15, from from 5-8 p.m.; Sunday Feb. 16, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Gemstone Necklace Party: String beads and attach clasps to create a personalized beaded necklace with a push clasp for charms.
  • Thursday, Feb. 13, from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 15, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Gondola Art Stroll at Canyons Village

8 a.m.-10 p.m. Daily

Explore six different art installations enclosed within retired Red Pine Gondola cabins throughout Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. Each gondola cabin offers a unique artistic experience, and visitors can participate in a hidden-item search inside each cabin. This immersive stroll blends art and adventure, making it a perfect outing for couples and friends.

Blue Jayne Paint Your Date Class

Make Valentine’s Day even more special at Blue Jayne Studio with a Paint Your Date night. Learn how to paint a portrait of your date in Picasso’s funky style—no experience needed! Expert guidance will walk you through the process, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Bring your favorite beverage and snacks to enjoy while you paint, and take home a truly unique and unforgettable memory. This class is on Friday, Feb. 14, from 6-8 p.m. The price of the class covers two people.

Park City Performing Arts film screening

Back by popular demand, National Geographic LIVE brings to life “Wild Wolves of Yellowstone” the stories behind world-renowned photographs and articles. This year, the event will feature Doug Smith, a wildlife biologist who led the project that reintroduced gray wolves to Yellowstone in the 1990s.

Join on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Eccles Center for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look—including never-before-seen photos and videos—at the incredible journey of restoring wolves to Yellowstone and the dramatic ecological changes that followed. Doug Smith, who spent nearly three decades studying Yellowstone’s wildlife, will share insights from his experience leading the Yellowstone Wolf Project and discuss his latest book, “Yellowstone’s Birds: Diversity and Abundance in the World’s First National Park.”

Amazing Butterflies at the Swaner EcoCenter

For a family Valentine’s outing, ideal for ages 3-12, step into the undergrowth and experience life as one of nature’s most extraordinary creatures in this interactive maze through May 4 at the Swaner EcoCenter. Become a caterpillar and navigate a secret world of towering grass and leaves, solving puzzles and challenges along the way. Make the right choices to complete the transformation and emerge as a beautiful butterfly!

This exhibit, available in both English and Spanish, is designed by Minotaur Mazes, a global leader in interactive educational maze exhibits. Please note: This exhibition does not contain live butterflies.

The exhibit is open Wednesdays-Sundays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more adult centric options, Swaner recommends a visit to the EcoCenter, heading out for a walk on the Preserve, joining for a Saturday Morning Nature Walk, or renting snowshoes for a fun couples activity.