Snowboarding & Skiing Elopement in Vail Colorado

Kirstyn and Frank came all the way from Florida for their snowboarding and skiing elopement in Vail, Colorado. These two are high school sweethearts and have been together for 13 years. They learned how to ski and snowboard together and it’s something they love doing as a couple. They knew they didn’t want a big traditional wedding- so they decided to elope in Vail and incorporate their shared love of skiing and snowboarding into their day.

Snowboarding & Skiing Elopement in Vail Colorado

On their wedding day, Kirstyn and Frank got ready at their ski-in-ski-out hotel and then hit the slopes. First, they skied and snowboarded two runs together, and then met their family at the top of Vail mountain for their wedding ceremony. 

The views for their Vail ski elopement ceremony were absolutely spectacular! It was a warm sunny day, so between the mountain views and the weather, it couldn’t have been more perfect!

Vail Ski Elopement

After their ceremony, Kirstyn’s dad and stepmother joined her and Frank for their last run of the day! As they skied down into the base area, they were greeted by a small crowd cheering for them. People at the base and at surrounding patios in Vail Village were in awe watching them ski down the mountain in their wedding attire! Next, they popped off their skis and snowboard, and met up with their family for slopeside Après-Ski drinks to celebrate! 

It was so wonderful to be able to capture Kirstyn and Frank’s Vail elopement and spend the afternoon skiing with them! Throughout the day, anytime other skiers saw the bride and groom they cheered and wished them congratulations! It was super sweet!

Hair + Make-up: Taylor Olson | Dress: Lulus

Skiing Colorado Wedding Photographer

I photograph ski elopements in Colorado and across the US. If you’re thinking of incorporating skiing and snowboarding into your wedding day, check out my Colorado Ski Wedding Guide here!

Snowboard Elopement at Loveland's Annual Mountaintop Matrimony

Sarah & Kyle’s snowboard elopement at Loveland’s Annual Mountaintop Matrimony on February 14, 2022 was incredible to be a part of! Alongside 78 other couples, Sarah and Kyle tied the knot! Most of the couples were renewing their vows, but 14 couples actually got married. After the ceremony in Forest Meadow, Sarah and Kyle boarded their first runs together as husband and wife. They met up with friends at the bar for drinks too! 

This Valentine’s Day was Sarah & Kyle’s 7th anniversary of being together and now it’s their wedding date! Kyle has always snowboarded, and Sarah started when they moved to Denver from Wisconsin 5 years ago. They love snowboarding together, so eloping on their anniversary at Loveland’s 31st Mountaintop Matrimony was perfect for them.

Snowboard Elopement at Loveland’s Annual Mountaintop Matrimony

The Mountaintop Matrimony is a popular Loveland Ski Area annual tradition. Every year on February 14th, couples can participate in the mass wedding event in the Forest Meadow at 11,215 feet. Most couples renew their vows, but there is always a handful of couples who actually get married. 

Couples who pre-register are able to get a 2-for-1 lift ticket special. Their slogan for the event is “Marry me and ski free!” After the ceremony, Loveland hosts a “Honeymooner’s Apres Party” down at the Loveland Basin. The after-party features music, wedding cupcakes, and sparkling apple cider.

To get all the details about how the mass wedding event works and registration info, head to Loveland’s wedding website here.

Snowboarding at Keystone

Our next stop was down the road at Keystone Ski Resort. Sarah changed into her wedding dress paired with a majestic cloak, and they hit the mountain together. Everyone couldn’t help but watch as they boarded down in their wedding attire!

Next, they warmed up by a fire pit in Keystone’s River Run Village before heading out for more photos. We drove to the top of Loveland Pass for a few windy wedding portraits. It was worth it! Then Sarah and Kyle joined their friends for an evening of celebrating! 

Sarah and Kyle are self-described “goobers” and are absolutely hilarious. Their elopement day was SO fun and laid back, which is exactly how they wanted it. I love that Sarah and Kyle planned an elopement that is authentic to them and their relationship. I had such a great time with these two capturing their snowboard elopement!

Loveland Ski Area Wedding Photographer

Planning to say “I do” at Loveland’s Annual Mountaintop Matrimony? Get in touch through my contact page!

Colorado Snowboard Elopement at Keystone Ski Resort

Chris and Amy had their Snowboard Elopement at Keystone Ski Resort in April. This adventurous couple learned how to snowboard together within the past year, and both fell in love with the sport! When Chris proposed in March, Amy suggested incorporating snowboarding into their wedding day. Chris responded, “That’s batshit crazy, but I can’t think of a reason not to do it”. So they did! Instead of waiting for next year, they planned their wedding for 4/3/21, two weeks after their engagement!

Colorado Snowboard Elopement at Keystone Ski Resort

Chris and Amy exchanged vows at 11,660’ on Keystone’s North Peak, surrounded by Amy’s four daughters and Chris’ two sons. They propped up their snowboards to make an arch looking down the Anticipation run. About halfway through the ceremony Chris’s board fell and slid ALL. THE. WAY. DOWN. THE. HILL. Chris ran after it in his dress shoes, but after he could no longer see where it went, he came back up. Since it was afternoon, the run was closed as well as the lift at the bottom. After they finished their ceremony we checked in with Ski Patrol, who couldn’t help until the next day. Amy’s oldest daughter Bri volunteered to walk down the mountain to go find it. She called Chris dejected and said she couldn’t find it anywhere, so we waited for her to climb back up the hill.

I started to get worried that Bri was taking too long to come back, when I saw her little sisters jumping up and down cheering. Bri was headed back up WITH THE BOARD! Not only did she walk all the way up and down the mountain in a dress, she went in waist-deep snow to retrieve the board. Chris was so excited when he saw Bri walking up with his board, he couldn’t stop smiling. He ran down the hill to help her bring the board back up, where she was hugged and cheered on by her sisters and mother and high-fived by her new stepbrothers. Thanks to Bri, Amy and Chris got to snowboard for the first time as husband and wife in their wedding attire! 

After the ceremony they snowboarded down. At one point Amy fell and was laughing hysterically. The photo of that moment was actually featured as one of Fearless Photographers' photos of the week! You’ll know it when you see it in the photos below! Also, I loved the dress Amy wore. She actually found her dress using my guide on How to Ski in Your Wedding Dress! Check it out if you’re on the hunt for a wedding dress or you’re dreaming of a ski wedding, but are not sure how to ski in your dress.

Once we reached the base, we took the shuttle back to Keystone Village where Chris and Amy joined their family at a restaurant for a celebratory dinner. I absolutely love that they decided to include their brand new love for snowboarding into such an important day!

Vendors

Mountain: Keystone Resort | Dress: Lulus

Review

Amy left me the sweetest review I have to share: 

"I am sooooo thankful we invested in photography with Gabrielle at Ski The Day! We did a small elopement with just our kids, a pastor, and Gabrielle. It was totally worth the investment! I get so many compliments about the photos, they capture the day so well. Looking at them brings me great joy and helps me connect with the moment. If you do a skiing or snowboarding elopement, proposal, wedding etc, choose Ski the Day, you won’t regret it!!"

Colorado Snowboard Elopement Photographer

I’m Gabrielle and I’ve been skiing since I was 5! I grew up competitively alpine racing for 10 years, so skiing with my camera gear is no problem. As a Colorado wedding photographer, I get to combine my love for skiing and weddings to help adventurous couples create a wedding day that is true to them! Head over to my contact page with the button below to get in touch about planning your Colorado ski or snowboard elopement!

For more Colorado snowboard wedding inspiration, check out this Snowboard Elopement at Keystone!

Skiing Elopement in Colorado at Winter Park Resort

One of the highlights of my ski season was photographing this beautiful skiing elopement in Colorado at Winter Park Resort! Originally, Kelcie and Jason planned on having a big wedding in May. They planned to downsize their big wedding even more, but ultimately decided to elope in March!

Kelcie and Jason used to live in Evergreen, CO, and skied as often as possible at Winter Park Resort. At the time of their elopement, they lived in Taos, NM, and made their way back to Colorado to get married. When they decided to elope they knew they had to return to Winter Park!

Skiing Elopement at Winter Park Resort

Kelcie and Jason did a first look at the base of Mary Jane near the Iron Horse Lift. They immediately went into their self-solemnized ceremony and exchanged their personal vows. After they exchanged vows, it was time to hit the slopes as a newly married couple! 

We took the gondola up and got in a few runs. Then we found a beautiful spot in the trees for portraits and cupcakes. Have you ever thought of having a wedding day snowball fight? Kelcie and Jason did! Then they enjoyed vegan cupcakes they had packed along with them (a skiing essential).

I hit a few more runs with Kelcie and Jason, and took photos of them on the ski lift together. Kelcie and Jason love tree skiing, so we ended our time together with a tree run. Once we parted ways, Kelcie and Jason went to the lodge for a celebratory drink and spent the rest of their day skiing together. For a couple who loves to ski together, Kelcie and Jason’s elopement was a dream day!

Vendors 

Ski Resort: Winter Park Resort | Video: Cat Lemus of Studio Lemus| Hair + Makeup: Winter Park Beauty Bar | Dress: Flutter Dress Shop

How to Plan a Ski Elopement in Colorado

For Kelcie and Jason, planning a ski elopement in Colorado felt true to them. Because of their love and familiarity with Winter Park Resort, it easily became the place they wanted to get married. In Colorado, couples can self-solemnize. This means that you can perform your own marriage ceremony without a third party to officiate. It truly allows couples to plan a day that is focused on the two of them. I have an entire post with more information about self-solemnizing in Colorado, so check it out!

Ski Elopement Outfits

Kelcie ordered a Flutter Dress online and it arrived just in time! This flowy dress looked gorgeous on Kelcie and added some movement into action photos of her skiing. Flutter Dress is an online dress shop where you can buy or rent a dress. They have a gorgeous selection of dresses that are affordable too! Jason wore a jacket and a button-down shirt with tiny little skiers on it! I have a whole post dedicated to how to ski in a wedding dress, so you can make your ski wedding dreams a reality!

Looking for a Colorado Ski Elopement Photographer? 

I’m Gabrielle and I’ve been skiing since I was 5! I grew up competitively alpine racing for 10 years, so skiing with my camera gear is no problem. As a Colorado wedding photographer, I get to combine my love for skiing and weddings to help adventurous couples create a wedding day that is true to them! Head over to my contact page with the button below to get in touch about planning your Colorado ski elopement!

For more Winter Park ski and snowboard inspiration, check out Carissa & Aaron’s elopement!