I have been dreaming of taking backcountry ski tour engagement photos for years. I recently met Jo and Nick through one of my past couples and fellow backcountry skiers, Molly and Cam. We all had the same dream engagement shoot idea, and together we made it come true at Artist Point!
How to get backcountry ski tour engagement photos like Jo and Nick
It's no surprise that backcountry skiing can be both long, tiring, and sweaty! None of these are not the most ideal states of being when it comes to looking total hottage in your engagement photos.
Fortunately, there's Artist Point.
Artist Point boasts some of the most insane 360 degree views the State of Washington has to offer. In the winter, it's a short and easy 30 minute skin or snowshoe to the top. In summer, you can drive straight to the parking lot and just walk a few feet!
If your photographer doesn't ski tour, they can snowshoe with you.
Tips and must knows
When to begin: We began the ski tour around 9:00 AM on a spring day in late April. It took us about 30-40 minutes to get to Artist Point, and we went very slowly to avoid sweating. When we arrived, we basically had the entire place to ourselves!
Taking photos at sunset would have also been amazing, but the afternoon forecast that day looked grim.
Doing outfit changes: Jo and Nick left their change of clothes in the car to reduce pack weight. After our first leg of photos at the top of Artist Point, we skied back down and did more photos in other outfits in Heather Meadows (a few hundred feet from the car).
You might be stuck in sunglasses!: On sunny days, you'll need to wear sunglasses in the snow. If you don't, you risk going snow blind. When planning your outfit, make sure you take your eyewear into consideration.
Wear sunscreen: If it's sunny, you'll want to wear sunscreen and reapply generously.
Where to rent gear: You can affordably rent any missing backcountry equipment or avalanche safety gear through Gearhouse.
What you'll need: Beacon, shovel probe, avalanche safety training, skis or split boards with touring bindings, compatible boots, skins, poles, additional warm layers, snacks, water, a headlamp, sunscreen, sunglasses, and... bubbly for sabering with your ski!?
What similar alternatives are there to Artist Point?
Other easy locations for your backcountry ski tour engagement photos could be Gold Creek Pond in Snoqualmie Pass, or Paradise for incredible views of Mount Rainier.
