Finding love in a snowy place

Since 1948, the Peruvian has had the privilege of witnessing the cultivation of new friendships and traditions. If these walls could talk, oh what stories they would tell. And while there’s a lot to share, there’s one romantic tale that truly stands out.

Meet Ethan Weston and Gretchen Wolf. They started their journey together over a decade ago, first meeting at the Peruvian. Both accepted seasonal positions during the 2009/10 ski season and started as dining room servers. They worked side-by-side for months while living on the property as well. Over that season, Ethan and Gretchen became good ol’ pals. But just like with every ski season, this one had to come to an end.

During the offseason, Gretchen spent time in Ohio and Cape Cod while Ethan was a raft guide at the Grand Canyon. During the following two ski seasons, Ethan and Gretchen returned back to the Peruvian to work, live and (of course) ski. Their friendship continued to flourish and in 2012, they officially began dating. At the end of the 2015/16 ski season, Gretchen said goodbye to the Peruvian to attend school full time. But rest assured, it wouldn’t be the last time the lodge saw this memorable couple.

Fast forward two years – the happy couple were expecting their first child, J.P. And just over a year later, they welcomed baby Eddie to the family. The couple felt it was time to seal the deal and tie the knot. Neither one was too keen on a huge shindig and even contemplated heading over to the courthouse for their nuptials. Side note: the family currently resides not far from the lodge in Cottonwood Heights. So after a bit of contemplation, the idea hit them! Nothing could be more fitting for this mountain-loving couple than to celebrate their special occasion at the place where it all began – the dining room of the Peruvian!

So, this past April, 80 of their closest friends and family came to Alta from all over the country. The backyard scenic ceremony went off without a hitch, but only after the staff cleared about two feet of fresh Spring powder. Cocktail hour and dinner followed ending with a picture-perfect evening full of dancing, laughing and revelry. Over the next few days, the group began their journeys back home. But this magical weekend will be remembered for years to come by guests and staff alike.

Our takeaway, you ask? We believe that whether it’s generations of families coming together for an annual getaway or just two random staff members finding love in a (really) snowy place, camaraderie and great connections appear to be contagious here. We wish Ethan and Gretchen all the best and are so proud to be part of their story!

Update: We welcome Gretchen back to the Peruvian for the 2019/2020 season as our Dining Room Manager! Be sure to say congrats when you see her!