A beautiful blue bird day in Lake Tahoe was the perfect setting for this incredible Heavenly Ski Resort Elopement | Samantha and Tom
Samantha and Tom wanted their elopement day to be simply like their favorite ski days together. So, I helped them plan their best ski day ever for their Heavenly ski resort elopement! From gorgeous Lake Tahoe views on the slopes to an amazing sunset on the lakeshore, it was the most incredible day!
Heavenly Ski Resort is a gorgeous place for a ski elopement. You can ride the Heavenly Gondola or the Heavenly Tram to get to gorgeous spots on the mountain! One thing to consider when getting married in Lake Tahoe is whether you are on the Nevada or California side. Each state has their own rules for marriage licenses. Whether you need an officiant and witnesses to make it legal will depend on which state you choose. Most of my couples that choose to elope, just the two of them on the slopes, get legally married before or after their elopement day. But, if you want to make it legal the same day, definitely let me know and I can help you figure out the logistics!
If you are planning a ski elopement in Lake Tahoe, reach out to Mountain Marta Photography!
Getting Ready
We started Samantha and Tom’s day with some getting ready and details photos. If you choose to have a wedding on the slopes, of course I need to take a picture of your ski boots and flowers together! Samantha and Tom decided to elope in ski bibs rather than traditional wedding attire. But, Tom still wore a bow tie and Samantha’s bib was her something-blue and matched her beautiful bouquet! Samantha also pinned a boutonniere to Tom’s ski bib. They looked perfect for their stress-free and fun ski elopement day! After they finished getting ready, they packed up the car and we made our way to Heavenly Ski Resort!
We arrived at the parking lot near the Aerial Tram by the California Lodge. This is a great spot to start your day, especially if you want to ride the iconic Heavenly Tram! Another option would be riding the gondola to the Tamarack Lodge. Which side you choose to go up definitely depends on which area you want to explore the most!
Riding the Tram and Hitting the Slopes at Heavenly Ski Resort
After putting on their ski boots at the car, we made our way to the tram. We all enjoyed the ride up with the most gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe down below! From the top of the tram, we took a few more ski lifts to get to the top of the mountain. We were lucky to get to meet one of Heavenly’s avalanche dogs before making our way down Ridge Run! We took some scenic couple’s photos and then headed over to a spot off of Ridge Run where Samantha and Tom had their private ceremony!
Heavenly Ski Resort Elopement Ceremony and More Skiing!
The spot they chose for their ceremony was amazing because we had the whole spot to ourselves, with the exception of a few skiers that happened to come down just in time for their first kiss! Samantha and Tom played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would read their vows first. They both got very emotional and there were definitely tears as they read their vows to one another. Then, they exchanged rings and shared their first kiss as husband and wife! The views for their ski elopement ceremony were unbeatable. Lake Tahoe was truly showing off with the most perfect day for their wedding!
After saying their “I-do’s”, we skied around together and truly enjoyed the beautiful day! Samantha and Tom brought a “just married” sign with them. We took a few photos on the lift with their sign before making our way back down the mountain.
Dinner Time
One thing that Samantha and Tom told me when planning their day was that they really wanted it to feel like their usual ski days. They also told me that after a day of skiing, they almost always get Thai or Korean food! On their elopement day, they decided to head to Cascade’s Kitchen Food Hall and Bar. There, they enjoyed delicious food from Moon’s Korean Kitchen! There is nothing better than making your elopement day feel truly special and unique to you as a couple!
Lake Tahoe Sunset Elopement Photos
After dinner, another little tradition that Samantha and Tom have after a day of skiing is heading down to the beach at Lake Tahoe and watching the sunset. Of course we had to make this happen on their special day as well! We went back to their house where they changed out of their ski clothes into adorable matching fleeces. Then, we walked down to beautiful beach with stunning mountain views. The sunset was amazing! They enjoyed drinks and pie as their “wedding cake”. It was the perfect end to the most perfect ski wedding day! South Lake Tahoe elopements are truly magical all year long!
Heavenly Ski Resort Elopement FAQs
- Where are the best spots to have a ceremony at Heavenly Ski Resort?
If it is just the the couple and the photographer, my personal favorites are off of Ridge Run or the scenic overlook off of the top of California Trail! Ceremonies with guests would involve more logistics and it would be a good idea to reach out to the resort about any rules and restrictions.
- What kind of weather should we expect for our South Lake Tahoe winter elopement?
The weather in Heavenly and South Lake Tahoe can be very unpredictable all winter long! You could get a sunny and warm day even in February, or a blizzard! This means you need to be prepared for anything. I also recommend having some flexibility in your schedule since sometimes the lifts close to due wind or large amounts of snowfall!
- Where is a good spot for us to get dinner on your wedding day in South Lake Tahoe?
If you like sushi, my all-time favorite is the Naked Fish! If you want a more fancy post-elopement dinner, than the Edge Restaurant at Edgewood Tahoe Resort is a perfect choice with stunning views and delicious food!
- Where should we stay for our Heavenly Ski Elopement?
There are a lot of great options to stay near Heavenly ski resort. You can choose to stay on the Nevada or the California side. There are plenty of hotel and casino options on the Nevada side, and also great hotel and Airbnb options on the California side! Where you stay could depend on whether you will be renting a car and what other activities you want to do during your stay!
Heavenly looks incredible for a ski elopement, their day was beautiful. Lake Tahoe is such a contrast in the background, you don’t often get lake views while skiing!
Heavenly is the best place for ski elopement. Lake Tahoe in the background is magical and unforgettable .Marta your pictures are perfect.