From snow-covered mountaintops to rustic ranches, winter makes for the perfect season for more wilderness-themed weddings. Whether you want to tie the knot surrounded by vibrant red rock canyons or want to drop in to your ceremony by helicopter exchanging rings on top of a glacier, these five spots bring elements of the great outdoors to life in the most romantic of ways possible — chalet stay included.
From your perch 3,000 feet above The Broadmoor on Cheyenne Mountain at Cloud Camp, you and your guests can take in 360-degree views of Colorado Springs and the valley from a lodge that captures the spirit of the American West. Envision your very own winter retreat crafted from timber beams with stone fireplaces and a wraparound deck. Each of the 15 cabins sport porches overlooking views of Pikes Peak and the plains, with room for up to 56 guests in total to cozy up for the wedding weekend. Last summer, Cloud Camp opened up a boutique wedding venue, The Overlook, tucked in to the side of Cheyenne Mountain with spectacular views of the surrounding scenery from the covered front porch and back deck that makes for an ideal reception setting for more intimate parties.
Round up your guests for the ultimate ranch-inspired rustic wedding weekend in western Colorado. Set in the red rock Unaweek Canyon, the resort’s new Palisade Ranch has plenty of activities to keep your guests busy during your destination wedding, from scenic flights over mountain towns like Moab to snowshoeing and horseback riding around the desert. When it comes down to the big day, take your pick of settings showing off the best of the outdoor surroundings, from ceremonies under the trees for 200 on the Cottonwood Terrace lawn to a more intimate affair for 40 by the pond.
Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn and Adventure Spa
Exchange vows in one of the most remote settings possible—on top of a glacier a quick helicopter ride away from Juneau, Alaska. Soar over the rainforest and glacier icefalls on the 25-minute ride before touching down to say “I do.” After the ceremony (which includes all the glacier gear you’d need to throw on with your wedding dress), fly back for the party at Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn, where you’ll make quite the entrance arriving just in time for your first dance as husband and wife.
Looking for a dramatic spot to tie the knot? The sky’s the limit at Tempter House in Telluride, where you can say “I do” from one of the highest elevation houses on the continent. Only available for overnight stays in winter, this secluded spot sits 12,200 feet above the Tempter Chute. Host cocktails for up to 28 and then take the party over to the European chalet-inspired Alpino Vino for dinner, making a winter-appropriate entrance by snow cat-pulled coach.
Your winter wedding pics will look straight out of a magazine photo shoot here at A Painted View Ranch, with perfectly framed views of the purple-hued Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado. The 160-acre ranch can host weddings as casual or grand as you’d like, from receptions at the traditional cantina with its custom wood furniture and stone fire ring to ceremonies in the arena with its sweeping ceiling and dirt floors. The onsite ranch house offers the bridal party plenty of space to get spruced up in style and can easily double as a post-wedding hideaway for the happily married couple.
See More: Winter Brides Will Love This Icy-Chic Wedding Color Palette Inspired by Aspen, Colorado
