Dozens of couples get hitched at snowy Colorado ski resort on Valentine's Day

LOVELAND SKI AREA, Colo. (AP) — There is nothing like dozens of couples saying “I do” simultaneously to warm the crisp, frigid air that grips the Colorado Rockies in the heart of winter.

Loveland Ski Area west of Denver lived up to its name once again on Valentine's Day as it hosted its 34th annual Mountaintop Matrimony on the gentle slope of a snowy beginner's run just shy of 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) above sea level.

Surrounded by snow-covered trees, craggy wind-swept peaks and curious onlookers, a record 130 couples converged on the Forest Meadow run near the Continental Divide on Friday, clicking into skis and strapping on snowboards for the mass wedding ceremony. Some wore traditional wedding attire like tuxedoes and gowns, while others dressed in all manner of wild costumes — colorful tutus and veils, heart-shaped sunglasses, even a T-shirt resembling a tuxedo — to mark the occasion.

At the direction of an officiant, the couples said their vows and smooched and party music played.

“They love the idea of being able to celebrate their love, celebrate their significant other, while also spending the day on the slopes doing what they love in a place that they love. And so I feel like it combines so many aspects of the people’s life that they cherish into one special day,” said Sage McCririck, Loveland’s marketing and events manager.

Sander and Kelley Wyjad renewed their vows Friday on the mountain where they were married 20 years ago. Kelley Wyjad wore the same homemade wedding dress and veil with embroidered snowflakes she wore on that Valentine's Day.

They met in 2003 skiing at a different resort in Colorado.

"We met on skis. We might as well get married on skis,” Kelley Wyjad said.

The mountaintop matrimony event is special because skiing is such a big part of who they are as individuals and a couple, Sander Wyjad said.

“Just being in the mountains, being around all these people who are sharing this day with us, and they all have a passion for being outside and in the snow,” Kelley Wyjad said. “That's what makes it really special.”

Loveland Ski Area, which got its name from nearby Loveland Pass, was founded in 1937 as the Loveland Ski Tow Company and held its first Valentine's Day wedding ceremony in 1991, when one couple got married on the deck of the Ptarmigan Roost cabin, a low-slung wooden structure with sweeping views of the Rockies. The appropriately named ski area saw an opportunity to hold a fun, lively gathering during what is normally a cold, snowy part of the season, and a tradition was born.

Only a few couples participated during the first several years, but many more now gather every year for the opportunity to get hitched or to renew their vows on Valentine's Day.

“It continues to grow. We continue to kind of add in a handful of couples. Word of mouth has definitely spread,” said McCririck, who has worked at Loveland for about a decade.

At least 300 couples have been married during the ski area's Valentine's Day nuptials. Many participants are repeat customers, and about 80% are renewing their vows.

“One reason that the guests love it so much every year is because they may have gotten married here 20 years ago. They’ve come to renew their vows every year in the past 20 years, and it’s the same event that they know and love,” she said.

More or less.

The pandemic shuttered Colorado's ski resorts in March 2020, and mountain employees had to get creative the following Valentine's Day as skiers and snowboarders were required to wear masks and to socially distance. The ceremony was moved from the Ptarmigan Roost cabin to the more spacious Forest Meadow run. Each couple stood in a red heart painted in the snow at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart, and signs read, “Love is forever. Social distance is temporary,” McCririck said.

The modified ceremony was the only event Loveland organized that season, McCririck said, proving that love indeed endures.

Now, with the pandemic in the rearview, there is very much a sense that the party must go on.

On Friday, newlyweds gathered at a cabin at the base of the mountain, sipping cider and beer while munching on wedding desserts as heavy snow fell.

And, of course, a wedding wouldn't be complete without party favors.

“I do” and “Love” were printed on the lift tickets, and couples also took home a Loveland-branded photo frame and bottles of Coors Banquet beer with a custom logo.

Alex Frank and Allie Bamber of Arvada, Colo., pose for a photo before exchanging vows at the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Couples gather during the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Xiaolin Chen wears a message on her ski helmet after she married Carter Paquette of Denver during the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Couples gather during the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Sander and Kelley Wyjad of Longmont, Colo., arrive to renew their wedding vows during the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, near Georgetown, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Xiaolin Chen and Carter Poquette hug after being married during the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Alex Frank and Allie Bamber of Arvada, Colo., prepare for their wedding during the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Bride Julia Wicks, center, of Minneapolis, waves as her wedding party pose for a group photo at the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Kristina Hill and her husband of 16 years, Justin, kiss at the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Sami and Mike Matson of Superior, Colo., renew their wedding vows for the third time during the 35th annual Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentine's Day mountaintop matrimony ceremony Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Loveland Ski Area, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

SEATTLE (AP) — Shea Langeliers hit a two-run homer, Osvaldo Bido pitched five solid innings and the Athletics defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Saturday night.

Miguel Andujar and Brent Rooker each had an RBI single for the Athletics. Mason Miller struck out three in a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.

Langeliers’ first homer came against starter Bryce Miller (0-1), who allowed three runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Bido (1-0) yielded three hits and two runs — one earned — with four walks and four strikeouts.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead when Rowdy Tellez scored on a throwing error by Langeliers in the second. The catcher's throw to second on Ryan Bliss' stolen base sailed into center field, allowing Tellez to score from third.

After Langeliers put the A’s ahead with his 357-foot drive in the fourth, Andujar hit an RBI single off Bryce Miller in the sixth to make it 3-1.

Jorge Polanco made it a one-run game with an RBI single off A’s reliever Hogan Harris in the bottom half, but Noah Murdock got the final two outs of the inning to strand a pair of Seattle baserunners in his major league debut.

Murdock worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Rooker added an RBI single off Collin Snider in the seventh.

Andujar’s sixth-inning single gave the Athletics a crucial insurance run.

Seattle went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine overall. The Mariners struck out 12 times and have whiffed 32 times over the first three games this season.

Left-hander JP Sears makes his season debut for the Athletics on Sunday against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, left, throws to first base for a double play after getting Seattle Mariners' Victor Robles, right, out at second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Athletics' JJ Bleday, right, scores on a single by Miguel Andujar as Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh looks on during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Athletics' Miguel Andujar heads to first after hitting an RBI single to score JJ Bleday during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller exits the game during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller, center, hands the ball to manager Dan Wilson, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Athletics pitcher Noah Murdock (58) throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Mariners' Jorge Polanco, right, hits an RBI single to score Randy Arozarena as Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) looks on during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Athletics' Brent Rooker (25) celebrates with Shea Langeliers (23) at home plate after they scored on Langeliers' two-run home run as Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, right, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)