Covid Ski Wedding

Mark and Kate Smitkin are from Wilton. Kate is the owner of Hand To Hand Occupational Therapy in Glens Falls and Mark works for the Yuengling brewery. 

They rented a house in Lake Placid with their two closest friend couples. One of whom married them, while the other built a beautiful altar. Friday night before the ceremony, the guys set up the altar and dug out a path for an aisle, and added pine cones and holiday garland. The friends decorated the inside of the home with pictures of the couple, plus lights and candles. 

They were married outside – in their ski boots – on Saturday, January 30, with family and a small group of friends. They tied the knot at 10am while it was minus 14 degrees. The private road their rental home was on was picturesque and they were surrounded by skiers, so their “cheers” was a quick tow-ski after the ceremony. Thanks to Kate’s brother, they safely cruised the private road, warmed up, and headed to the mountain. They spent the afternoon skiing at Whiteface on a bluebird day. The lift attendant, Kelly, made an announcement and they got to jump the line at the gondola while everyone cheered.

Mark and Kate are outdoor enthusiasts. Their third date was skiing at Gore Mountain and they spent their first Valentine’s Day on a moonlight hike to the Spruce Mountain fire tower. They thought what better way to celebrate their wedding than to enjoy something they’re passionate about and have fun. The couple didn’t want the pandemic to interfere with what they envisioned to be a perfect day.

“This wedding lifted so many spirits and brought so many smiles. It’s exactly what people needed: a little hope, a little happiness, and taking away from the pandemic stressors we’ve all been going through,” Kate said. “Everyone loved the idea and we believe we brought a smile to many people’s faces and hearts that day.”

Mark and Kate will remember this as their Covid ski wedding and that’s just fine with them!