STEAMBOAT SPRINGS – Looking for love in all the wrong places? Howelsen Hill will be the right place when it hosts the first-ever chairlift speed dating event, Love Laps, making it easier for Cupid’s arrows to fly and possibly find true love.

“Love Laps brings an entirely new meaning to being a single in the lift line,” commented Toby Stauffer, a senior planner in Planning & Community Development for the city and Love Laps program champion. “Providing an opportunity for people to meet up, get to know each other, and enjoy the slopes seems like a great ice breaker.”

Stauffer pitched the Love Laps idea as part of the city’s innovation program based on similar events in other locations. Love Lap participants receive professional speed dating services and matching from Lovebug Speed Dating, a complimentary lift ticket to Howelsen Hill, a special-edition Howelsen Hill ski buff and an après event with food, music and one complimentary Mountain Tap craft beer as well as a raffle ticket for great prizes.

Look for love on the lifts on Saturday, February 15, from noon to 4pm.
The event kicks off with dating, chairlift rides and skiing/snowboarding
from noon to 3pm. Share the nine-minute chairlift ride with another
dater, spend the time getting to know each other and possibly discover
that special someone or at least meet people who enjoy the same outdoor adventure as you. After each chairlift ride, return to the bottom for another match as each participant will meet multiple people over the afternoon. Daters will give their selections to Lovebug and receive email results of their matches after the event.

The on-hill adventure is followed by an après-ski function in Olympian Hall from 3-4pm. The fun continues across the river at Mountain Tap with an informal happy hour from 4pm to 10pm. Grab some wood fire pizza and show your custom event buff to enjoy a free 5-ounce taster beer.

The event is $50 per person and will take place snow or shine at historic Howelsen Hill. The city has partnered with Denver-based speed dating company, Lovebug, to manage event logistics and registration. Participants can find additional information and register in advance at steamboatsprings.net/lovelaps.

Make that chairlift connection? Return Sunday with your new-found Love Laps connection and enjoy Super Ski Free Sunday and continue to grow your relationship. Live on the Front Range? Use the new CDOT Snowstang bus service, which is running additional service over the President’s holiday weekend, to venture to Steamboat Springs and participate in this ski town relationship rendezvous.