Imagine cruising down a famous Colorado ski resort in your wedding dress and suit. Picture taking a ski lift to your ceremony then sharing a champagne and charcuterie celebration beside towering snow-capped peaks.

If you love skiing or snowboarding together as a couple, you can absolutely integrate that passion on your elopement day! Skiing elopements are fun, adventurous, and incredibly beautiful. I love helping couples plan their slopeside elopement, whether they want a backcountry ski adventure like the one below, or an easier elopement at the ski resort, I can help you plan and capture your ultimate skiing elopement.

When it comes to any sort of winter elopement, there is additional planning and packing involved. But for ski elopements, there’s an added layer of preparation and consideration for your day. Here are some tips for planning your ski-lopement!

Choose a Resort or Location

Whether it’s a bucket-list ski resort in the Alps, or your favorite Colorado mountain, choosing your location is the first step in planning. I recommend choosing a ski resort that is close to plenty of lodging, restaurants, and things to do.

When choosing your resort, another consideration is your experience and the level of difficulty of the mountain. Some resorts are steeper than others and don’t have as much beginner terrain. I would recommend a resort with some easier runs since you will be skiing in formalwear. Some of my favorite resorts include:

Breckenridge Ski Resort - Colorado
Jackson Hole Ski Resort - Wyoming
Crested Butte Ski Resort - Colorado
Aspen Ski Resort - Colorado
Vail Ski Resort - Colorado
Park City Ski Resort - Utah

If you want to plan a backcountry ski elopement, I recommend choosing an easier spot that you’ve done before so you know the terrain and the area.

Book Your Lodging

With a ski elopement, it’s pretty likely you won’t want to be on a board or skis all day. Booking a cozy mountain lodge or mountain house is a great way to capture some relaxing getting ready moments before your ski elopement. Planning time on and off the mountain also allows you to get more variety in both your experience and your photography. You can also host your post-skiing apres celebration at your lodging.

Find a Ski-Elopement Photographer

Taking photographs while skiing or snowboarding is a difficult task, which is why it’s important to find a photographer who feels comfortable on skis or a board and is able to tell your love story on your elopement day while skiing. You have to be a pretty advanced skier or snowboarder in order to photograph couples skiing safely and in order to tell the story of their elopement day. Not all photographers are up to the task, so it’s important to book a photographer who is certain they can capture incredible photos while skiing.

Purchase Your Ski Elopement Attire

When purchasing a dress or suit, you have a different set of considerations for ski elopements. You want to find a dress without a train or a slit, so it doesn’t get caught on anything while you ski down. You’ll also want to consider a dress with sleeves so you stay warmer and a jacket that’s as formal as you’d like, but also functional. For suits, you’ll want to purchase a suit that leaves some room to move. When trying on dresses and suits, ensure you can move in whichever one you choose. Cross your arms, stretch, squat, sit down and stand back up. Put on both your boots and skis/board to make sure your dress can accommodate your stance.

I recommend purchasing your base layers first–for women they make great lined leggings that you can match to a dress. Once you have your base layers, bring them with you when trying on dresses and suits so you know exactly how everything will fit on the big day.

Plan Out Your Gear

In addition to your attire, make sure you have everything you need to ski safely on your elopement day. That includes boots, skis or snowboard, helmets, goggles, gloves, map of the resort, scarf or neck gaiter, hand warmers, chapstick, etc. If you’re planning a backcountry tour on your elopement day, you must have a beacon, probe, and shovel as well as proper avalanche safety knowledge. Safety and planning is paramount for skiing elopements, whether you’re at a resort or in the backcountry.

Consider a Weekday Ski Elopement

Not only will you have less crowds to contend with on a weekday at the ski resorts, but oftentimes weekday lift tickets are cheaper! You’ll also have an easier time finding convenient ski-in/ski-out lodging during the week than on weekends. Elopement vendors may also have cheaper weekday packages and more availability.

Enjoy an Après-ski Celebration

Après-ski is a French term that literally translates to “after ski" and it marks the transition from the intensity and physicality of skiing down a mountain to a relaxing post-ski experience sharing drinks with friends and loved ones. Trust me, the last thing you want to do on your skiing elopement is skip the après. This is essentially your reception and there are countless ways to celebrate.

You can have a champagne and charcuterie picnic slopeside, or head to one of the many restaurants on and off the mountain. You can have a glass of wine on a balcony with a view or soak those tired legs in a hot tub. This is your ski elopement and you can celebrate however you want!

If the cold, fresh snow, and amazing skiing is something you’re both passionate about, contact me about planning your Colorado skiing elopement today!

How to Plan an Epic Ski Elopement