Do you love skiing? Do you have a winter birthday? If so, throwing a retro ski birthday party like my clients Kirsten and Micah did last month maybe the perfect way to celebrate. Whether you are an avid skier, a beginner, love costume parties, or simply enjoy the nostalgic charm of retro ski culture and a good reason to order a bottle or 9 of champagne and fondue, there are plenty of reasons that not only should you throw a retro ski party, but you should hire a professional Tahoe ski photographer to capture it.
Retro Ski Party step 1: choose a theme
You could go for a specific era, like my clients did, such as the 1980s, or a particular ski destination, such as Aspen or Chamonix. I was hired to be a Tahoe ski photographer for Kirsten’s 50th birthday party as a surprise addition by her husband. About 50 guests were going to dress up in retro 80s ski gear, meet at the Terrace Ski Bar for lunch, parade down the mountain together mid-afternoon, and apres in the village. Not everyone had retro outfits on standby at home so Kirsten had the great idea to take a request to Nextdoor and she was able to drum up 2 entire bags of amazing outfits from her neighbors with ease!
Retro Ski Party step 2: create a ridiculous invitation
There’s nothing better than taking a vintage ski poster or photo and photoshopping your face on it. It doesn’t even have to be that accurate. Frankly, it just needs to be funny.
Retro Ski Party step 3: have a ski parade
Kirsten and Micah had everyone meet them for lunch, there was a grand toast to her birthday, and then a long winding ski parade all the way down the mountain, complete with a boom box blasting 80s tunes. Combine that with the fact that we were at Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley), home to the location of famed ski movies such as Hot Dog and License to Thrill, and I can’t imagine a better theme for the mountain itself or this wild wacky group of friends.
Ultimately, whether you are a die-hard skier or simply love the cozy charm of winter and snow, you should never rule out on-mountain photos or whether or not you should hire a Tahoe Ski photographer to capture your special event or the sport that you and your family love. And if it’s for a birthday party? Not only am I IN, but I am in with a costume on. I am 110% behind costume parties and while a retro ski birthday party is a great way to celebrate your special day and create lasting memories with friends and family, it’s also a perfectly wonderful and valid reason to dress up (though I personally never think you need a reason). With a little planning and preparation, and a lot of champagne, you can create a festive and engaging event that will transport your guests back in time to the golden age of skiing and winter sports. Or at least get some photos that make it appear that way.
Why Hire a Tahoe Ski Photographer?
Whether you are throwing a special event that you want captured, need outdoor adventure photography for a commercial or brand photo session, or just want family portraits doing the activity your family loves most, there are several reasons why you should consider hiring a professional Tahoe ski photographer to take photos of you and your family while you are skiing or snowboarding. A professional ski photographer is going to have the experience, equipment, and expertise to capture high-quality photos that you will cherish for years to come. They know how to use light reflecting off the snow, the angles of the mountain, and how to manage the elements to create stunning images that capture the essence of your skiing experience.
Action shots aren’t easy and ski photography is especially difficult – from managing the white balance of bright snow, the sometimes abundant sunshine or extremely windy conditions, to freezing the movement of fast moving subjects – nothing about ski photography comes easy! Put your trust in a professional to capture the action shots that you desire.
If your family enjoys skiing and winter sports together, I think professional on-mountain photos make for great holiday card photos! Have a different kind of family portrait session and capture a special activity that creates lasting memories with your family. Hiring a professional photographer to capture these moments will allow you to relive them for years to come and share them with your loved ones.
Not quite ready to hire a photographer for some action photos? Then how about just some regular or not-so-regular portraits in the snow? We have it in spades this year!
Why you should consider a Palisades Tahoe Ski Vacation.
Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows) is one of Lake Tahoe’s premier resorts and one of the one’s my homebase is known best for. Palisades ahs some world-class skiing: there are over 6,000 acres of skiable terrain, 42 lifts, and 270+ trails. It’s one of the largest ski resorts in North America. I personally have photographed groups and people of all abilities at this mountain and I can assure you that from top to bottom there is a wide range of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Whether you are a beginner, or an expert, Palisades Tahoe is the perfect destination.
There is no denying the fact that Lake Tahoe is gorgeous (y’all, I NEVER take it for granted that I live here). With crystal clear waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains, you get it all when you book a Tahoe ski vacation and I can tell you that Palisades Tahoe is located in the heart of this breathtaking beauty. From the top of the tram you get unparalleled views of the Sierra Nevadas and the lake itself and it’s nothing short of stunning.
My favorite spot is actually over at Palisades sister mountain Alpine Meadows. I used to volunteer there with Achieve Tahoe and it’s such a delight to to ski. Now, these two epic mountain and winter destinations are connected by a brand new base-to-base gondola so you can park or stay at either mountain and explore it all!
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