10 Cozy Colorado Winter Wedding Venues

The number one reason that people move to Colorado is to be closer to the mountains and outdoor activities.

The mountains are also one of the main reasons that people choose to get married in Colorado, including many couples who plan a destination wedding in our beautiful state.

Of course summer in the mountains is a main draw, but winter in Colorado is its own kind of beautiful.

And couples who love winter activities (like skiing or snowboarding), often realize that planning a winter wedding in Colorado might just be for them.

So read on to discover some of my favorite Colorado winter wedding venues and think about whether a winter wedding is right for you!

10 Cozy Colorado Winter Wedding Venues

The first handful of venues are venues you could host a full wedding at, from getting ready to ceremony to reception.

The last couple are great outdoor spots that don’t come with a built in reception space, so you’ll have to do a little more planning in those scenarios. But they can still totally be worth it!

1. The Lodge at Breckenridge

The Lodge at Breckenridge sits at high altitude (as does all of Breckenridge at 9,600+ feet), so as far as winter goes, Breckenridge enters winter mode more quickly than some other mountain towns. Once the snow starts piling up in late fall, it sticks around until early summer. Which makes this town a perfect spot for a winter wedding.

The Lodge is perfect for a smaller and more intimate weddings (I’d say 75-80 or less is a great number) and offers on-site lodging. Ceremonies happen on the outdoor deck that can be configured in multiple ways to best take advantage of the lighting and the views.

The best part about getting married here in the winter (or really any time of year, for that matter), is the Lodge’s close proximity to Boreas Pass. Only about a 7 minute drive from the lodge, Boreas Pass is the perfect spot for outdoor portraits of your wedding party or for couple’s portraits.

Check out Megan and Talley’s wedding for inspiration.

2. Winter Park Resort

Somer of the ski resorts in Colorado offer winter wedding options, though not all of them do. So if you have a favorite ski resort, it might be worth asking if they host weddings in the winter.

Of the few that do, one of my favorite is Winter Park Resort. The resort closes to skiers around 4:00, so they open up their ceremony deck and reception space in the evening. While this does mean that your ceremony will likely take place after dark, you still have plenty of time for daylight photos on the top of the mountain beforehand, including taking in sunset for couple’s photos before the ceremony.

The views at the top are gorgeous, so definitely leave plenty of time for portraits.

And one of the perks for getting married at Winter Park Resort, is the opportunity to have a snowcat take you and your wedding party to the top of the mountain.

Check out Brittany and Tom’s wedding for more inspiration.

3. Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is located in Tabernash (not far from Winter Park), and is an upscale mountain venue with outdoor and rustic charm. It truly functions as a resort, with breathtaking ceremony spots and incredible amenities.

There are multiple ceremony spots to choose from in the Winter, but the Broad Axe Barn and the adjacent Timber House are two of my favorites for more intimate celebrations.

There is lodging on site for your guests (included in their wedding packages), as well as an alpine center that offers cross country skiing, snowshowing trails, and other outdoor winter activities for your guests.

Check out Grace and Gary’s intimate wedding at Devils’ Thumb Ranch.

4. Venues in Vail Village

Vail is one of the most popular ski towns in Colorado and the entire village is designed to feel cozy and quaint in all seasons, but especially in winter! For this reason, you could choose any of the beautiful venues and hotels in Vail for a winter wedding and you’d have something magical. Check out the Sonnenalp, Larkspur, or nearby Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort. You can also pair the Vail Interfaith Chapel with any of the above spots for a more religious ceremony option.

5. The Stanley Hotel

Though at a lower elevation than some of the mountain towns listed above (so, possibly not as much snow), The Stanley Hotel is a gorgeous spot in the winter. Their outdoor patio ceremony site faces mountain views and has gorgeous later afternoon light, which is perfect timing for an evening winter reception. Your reception will take place indoors in one of the classic Stanley Hotel spots. And with plenty of lodging on site, you can invite your guests to stay for the weekend.

And if you want to venture out for some couple’s portraits off-site (and get more snow), you can head into Rocky Mountain National Park, a short 10 minute drive from the hotel.

6. Lionsgate Event Center

Located in Lafayette, CO, Lionsgate Event Center hosts weddings year round. It may not be top of your radar for winter weddings because of the lower elevation and less chance for snow, but I’m including it on this list because they go all out with classy Christmas decorations in December (think tons of Christmas lights, outdoor market lights, and trees and greenery galore). Which means that you can spend less on your decor and more on your food or other amenities for your guests.

And with several ceremony site options (including one outdoors), you have options for the type of winter event you want to create.

7. Glasshouse

In the mountains of Basalt lives a rentable Airbnb called the Glasshouse. With bright finishings, tons of natural light, and beautiful landscaping and scenery it’s the perfect spot for an intimate elopement or wedding. Eight people can stay on the property, so you’ll have to keep your group small, but it’s perfect for those fresh winter vibes.

8. Sapphire Point

Now we’re getting into winter ceremony spots that don’t offer a reception space, but that doesn’t mean that you should count them out!

Up first is Sapphire Point Overlook, located off of Swan Mountain Road above Dillon. While it’s a popular spot year round, its typically much less crowded in the winter. One of the most affordable outdoor wedding spots, Sapphire Point can be rented in 2 hour time blocks. The space holds about 30 people comfortably, particularly if you let your guests stand, but you can bring in chairs if you like.

With close proximity to Dillon, Silverthorne, Breckenridge, and Frisco, you can easily host your ceremony at Sapphire Point, then take over a restaurant or airbnb in the area for your reception.

9. Mayflower Gulch

Mayflower Gulch is only recommended for elopements or super intimate weddings, but is another fantastic spot to visit in the winter. It will involve hiking along a well traversed trail, but the scenery and the views from the historic cabin site are hard to beat.

With hiking and photos and celebrations post-ceremony, you’re looking at at least 3-4 hours of time at the trail, but you can easily escape to a rental or a restaurant after your ceremony for a larger celebration with friends.

If you’re looking for an adventurous ceremony, this is one spot you can’t miss!

10. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect spot for a winter wedding as most of the designated ceremony sites are accessible year round. Some of my favorite spots to explore in the winter are 3M Curve and Sprague Lake, which offer easy access for your guests from a nearby parking area, though good shoes are definitely recommended for everyone. At Sprague Lake you also have the opportunity to walk on a frozen lake, which is a super cool experience.

With snow sticking around many parts of the park from November to April, you can get those winter-vibes over the course of many months. Plus you can explore other parts of the park for photos after your ceremony.

Then when you’re ready for a reception you can head to one of the venues in Estes Park.

So there you have it! Some of my favorite spots in Vail for your wedding. Have a favorite? Let me know about it!

Looking for more venues to explore? Check out my list of the Best Colorado Wedding Venues.

Check out these other resources to help you plan your Colorado Winter wedding

10 Tips for Getting Married at Altitude

Choosing a season for your Colorado Wedding

How to Tell if a Vendor is LGBTQ+ inclusive

Winter Wedding Photos

Get more inspiration from weddings at the venues above, as well as other ideas for winter weddings.