Wedding Anniversary Ski Photos in Winter Park

These couple ski photos in Winter Park have the most incredible skiing love story behind them. March 2020 was Kathy and John’s 35th anniversary of when they met on the Iron Horse Lift at Winter Park Ski Resort. To celebrate we did an anniversary session at Winter Park and took photos on the ski lift they met on! 

Winter Park Skiing Love Story

Kathy was on a ski trip with a group of coworkers (she was a nurse) and John was actually on a ski date. Despite being with other people at Winter Park, they were such good skiers that they ended up skiing on their own for most of the day.

John was there with his date and a friend, but neither could keep up with him. Eventually, John’s date and his friend headed to the lodge for a break. John continued to ski and ended up riding the two-person lift, Iron Horse, on Mary Jane. Kathy was in the singles line and rode up the lift with him. This specific lift is a slooooow one, so they had plenty of time to talk on the way up. They skied the next run together and then ended up skiing together the rest of the day.

At the end of the day, Kathy gave John her number, but he LOST IT. He got out the phone book and called every woman with the same first and last name until he found her. He says that he knew he met his wife that day. How adorable?? Later that year they got married at the Catholic Cathedral in Denver and they’ve been together ever since!

Kathy and John are still super active with downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and running. They are now retired and live in a beautiful mountain home in Winter Park. They share their love of winter sports with their two daughters who are avid snowboarders and joined us for some of the photos.

Hearing Kathy and John’s love story and then getting to photograph them on the lift where it all started for them was such a special experience! These two are exceptional skiers, so it was fun to ski along with them at Winter Park!

Winter Park Ski Photographer

I’m a Colorado ski photographer who photographs skiing and snowboarding- ski proposals, ski engagements, and ski weddings! If you’re looking to plan a ski or snowboard photo session get in touch with me here! 

Looking for more Winter Park ski inspiration? Check out this Ski Elopement in Winter Park!

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!