Skiing and Snowboarding Elopement Guide | Colorado Elopement Photographer

Having professional photos taken while you ski or snowboard is a thing. Yes, that means you can elope and shred in the same day. You can bring your friends and family even! Snowboarding and photography are two of my most favorite things to do. I can teach you how to do both. 😉 After my first snowboarding engagement session in Vail back in 2019 I was hooked. Shortly after that I photographed my first snowboarding elopement. The bride actually wore her dress and I almost lost it.

Wanting to ski or snowboard on your wedding day is a whole other level of badass.

You want to ski or snowboard for your wedding day? So you are a badass, and your photographer needs to be one, too. You want someone who can shred with their camera gear on them. That’s me. Skiing and Snowboarding elopements are by far my favorite. Chasing you on my snowboard with my camera has been and continues to be my dream job. Eloping on your skis or snowboards is an intentional, relaxed and chill day on the mountain with little bouts of shredding in between.

How to Plan a Ski or Snowboarding Elopement

Choose a mountain you already love or one that’s on your bucket list

Choosing a mountain you’re already familiar with helps with logistics for the day. It means you’ve run those runs before and will feel more comfortable rather than on a new hill for the first time. Plus the more you’re on a mountain the more cool spots you know of. If you pick your favorite mountain or a bucket list ski resort, the mountain already means something to you.

If you choose a mountain you’re unfamiliar with that is always fun and exciting, too! But it just helps to check out a ski map first. Hopefully your photographer has done some reconnaissance. Construct a game plan and make sure everyone is on board with the level runs you plan to take. It’s never fun getting caught in something that just feels too hard. Don’t really want to do that in wedding attire on the best day of your life. Save the lessons for next time and keep it fun.
I can’t think of a better time to go all out and visit your bucket list ski resort than when you are celebrating your wedding day. For me, it’d be between somewhere in Japan, Norway, Switzerland or Whistler. And I’d definitely be considering being dropped off by helicopter somewhere. But that’s me, now is the time for you to really dream up what your most epic ski day would be and maybe incorporate that into your wedding day.

Plan part of your elopement day at the base, a nearby pass, or a private cabin.

Plan on spending half your session somewhere off your board or skiis, either on or off the slopes. I don’t know about you but sometimes my favorite part of a shred day is that stop in the trees or grabbing a sandwich at the top. Planning a little bit of both will give you the best of the day. It’s not an all day photoshoot but really documentary of what a real shred day is. So do the normal things you’d do. By planning some time not riding you can give yourselves the opportunity to snuggle up somewhere. Skiing and snowboarding elopements aren’t straight shredding the whole entire time either. It’s all about balance baby.

How to ski or snowboard in a wedding dress & formal wear

Choosing the right layers are are key for a skiing or snowboarding wedding. You want it to fit layers underneath so it needs to have a little room. If you can do a squat in it then you’re pretty much good. Wear your base layers when you take your measurements or go shopping.

Activities That Pair Well With Ski & Snowboard Weddings

• rent a nearby cabin to get ready together – this can include making breakfast, writing vows, getting ready, or anything else you’d like to do to start celebrating your wedding day.
• hot tub or hot springs after – you can do a rental with a hot tub and a view
• dog sledding
• explore the mountain town

The Best Ski Areas in Colorado to Elope

Copper Mountain

I recently visited Copper Mountain for the first time and I fell in love. The views it has are definitely some of the best and the snow was so fun. I’m stoked to be part of Ikon this year so I can get back to this amazing place more. Copper is a ski resort little town with places to stay, shops and restaurants. But Copper is close enough to so many other great towns and awesome places to stay that you can totally stay off mountain and take a beautiful drive there. If you are driving you will either have to get dropped off, or If you want to elope at Copper Mountain hit me up!

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Crested Butte is a mountain town that is perfect for elopements year round. In the winter it becomes a magical winter wonderland. Personally, I think Crested Butte is one of the most gorgeous mountain towns. It doesn’t matter what season we’re in, everything is just stunning there. The snow on Mt. Crested Butte makes for an iconic scene though. And you can almost be certain, that they will have a ton of snow!

nearby places for different photos a

• Peanut Lake
• Downtown Crested Butte
• McCormick Ranch Road

Steamboat Springs Ski Resort

I have two favorites to ride and Steamboat is one of them. I have sentimental ties to shredding there with family growing up. Plus that the champagne powder every night. It has some of the funnest powder turns and often gets 2-5 inches of freshies a night, naturally.

nearby places for different photos

• Fish Creek Falls
• On the Yampa
• Rabbit Ears Pass
• Pearl Lake State Park

Wolf Creek Ski Area

Wolf Creek Ski Area is my top two favorite in the state. Coming in close to the one and only Steamboat Springs.

nearby places for different photos

• Wolf Creek Pass
• Pagosa Springs
• South Fork

Vail Mountain

Vail Mountain is a Colorado favorite for a lot of people. The Legendary Back Bowls are something special on a powder day. Vail Village offers that epic mountain luxury right at the foot of the slopes with those romantic winter vibes.

nearby off slope photo locations

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is an awesome mountain for engagement or elopement photos. It’s only about 2 hours from DEN and it’s tucked back into the mountains off the main highway. It has one of the most post storm ‘Norway vibes’ tree run for the advanced rider I’ve ever been on. It’s a really beautiful mountain just to explore. Then the adorable town of Breckenridge with tons of dining and lodging options. Plus lots of options for surrounding snowy trails in town.

off slope locations near Breckenridge

• Loveland Pass
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
• Keystone Ski Area
• Dillon Lake
• Downtown Breck (& ice sculptures)
• Officer’s Gulch
• Mayflower Gulch
• Ice Castles

Keystone is a super popular mountain to visit. It’s tucked right along the continental divide and is close to the larger mountain towns in Summit County. It’s got great runs for photos plus tons of views and a gondola to ride.

off slope locations near Keystone

• Loveland Pass
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
• Dillon Lake
• Breckenridge
• Officers Gulch
• Mayflower Gulch
• Ice Castles

Loveland Ski Area

Loveland Ski Area is a smaller, local mountain. The beers are cheaper and the mountain has a laid back locals vibe. But the snow is great and they even have a cat that runs along the top of the continental divide to drop in off of. On Valentines Day each year they hold a large marriage ceremony at the top of their Ptarmigan chairlift on their outdoor deck. It’s a great little mountain with tons of cool cabins to stop off at for some relaxing together. On Valentine’s Day, they do a large marriage ceremony at the top of their Ptarmigan ski lift. Every year it boasts dozens of couple’s who say “I do” on the deck just under the continental divide. It’s surely an iconic way to make it official!

off slope locations near Loveland Ski Area

• Loveland Pass
• Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
• Keystone Ski Area
• Dillon Lake
• Breckenridge
• Officers Gulch
• Mayflower Gulch
• Ice Castles

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Loveland Ski Area is a smaller, local mountain. The beers are cheaper and the mountain has a laid back locals vibe. But the snow is great and they even have a cat that runs along the top of the continental divide to drop in off of. On Valentines Day each year they hold a large marriage ceremony at the top of their Ptarmigan chairlift on their outdoor deck. It’s a great little mountain with tons of cool cabins to stop off at for some relaxing together. On Valentine’s Day, they do a large marriage ceremony at the top of their Ptarmigan ski lift. Every year it boasts dozens of couple’s who say “I do” on the deck just under the continental divide. It’s surely an iconic way to make it official!

Telluride Ski Resort

Telluride Ski Resort is a gorgeous mountain town located in the Southwest side of the state. The southwest mountains are a different kind of breed, that you can clearly see as you drive into Telluride. Telluride is another town that is perfect for an elopement any time of year. The mountains surrounding Telluride are nothing short of breathtaking, making the little town one amazing place to experience in the winter.

Aspen

Aspen is well known as one of the more upscale mountain towns. You can see it in the prices. But if you’re down to celebrate your day in Aspen they have some of the most iconic Colorado views around. Maroon Bells isn’t always a drive in option in the winter because the road closes after the first few big storms. If you’re looking for a multi day winter elopement adventure Aspen is great. It’s got the mountain to ride, Maroon Bells to snowshoe, and the grottos to explore ice caves. It’s a epic winter activity packed location.