Warmth Thru the Light: Chasing Winter’s Glow in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains

Winter in the Colorado Rockies is not for the faint of heart. Frigid temperatures, relentless snowfall, and the ever-present bite of the alpine wind create a landscape both breathtaking and unforgiving. For six days, we embraced the cold head-on, venturing deep into the San Juan Mountains on a personal project we called Warmth Thru the Light—a pursuit of winter’s beauty through landscape photography.

The Journey Begins: Chasing the Light in the San Juans

Armed with our cameras, layers upon layers of insulated gear, and an unshakable determination, we set out to capture the magic of winter in some of Colorado’s most scenic mountain towns. Our route took us through the rugged terrain of Silverton, Ridgway, Ouray, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Crested Butte. Each day, we rose before dawn, braving subzero temperatures to chase the fleeting moments when the rising sun set the snowy peaks ablaze with golden hues.

But winter photography is never just about the light—it’s about enduring the elements, pushing past frozen fingers, and adjusting to the unpredictable nature of high-altitude weather. The San Juan Mountains receive some of the heaviest snowfall in Colorado, with regions around Silverton and Crested Butte averaging over 300 inches annually. Combine that with bone-chilling wind chills that can plummet to -20°F or lower, and you have an environment that demands both skill and resilience. On one morning in Crested Butte, our watches showed a temperature warning of -24 making it difficult to function, stay warm and even… get creative.

Battling the Elements: Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

Over the course of the trip, we faced blinding snowstorms, icy roads, and brutal cold that tested our endurance. Frozen canyons in Black Canyon of the Gunnison revealed a stark, silent beauty, their sheer walls coated in ice, towering above the snow-laden landscape. In Ouray, we stood in awe of climbers scaling vertical ice walls, their movements precise and deliberate, embodying the same perseverance we relied on to keep shooting despite the numbing temperatures. Every moment of warmth was cherished—steaming coffee sipped between shots, the sun breaking through storm clouds after hours of whiteout conditions, the glow of alpenglow kissing the peaks at sunset. It was a reminder that even in the coldest conditions, light has a way of cutting through, bringing a sense of wonder, warmth and connection to the landscape.

The Gear That Carried Us

None of this would have been possible without the support of some incredible brands that helped us push through the elements. ProMaster Photo gear provided essential support to keep our cameras stable in icy conditions, Tamron Lenses (like their 28-300mm) delivered the sharpness and versatility needed to capture every detail, and Forsake boots kept our feet warm and dry as we trekked through deep snow and across frozen rivers.

A Journey to Remember

By the end of our six-day adventure, we left with memory cards filled with stunning images, but more importantly, we carried memories of perseverance, adventure, and the undeniable beauty of winter in the Rockies. Warmth Thru the Light was not just about capturing landscapes—it was about embracing the raw, untamed spirit of winter, and finding warmth in the pursuit of creativity. Stay tuned for more as we share the breathtaking imagery from this project and the stories behind each shot. Until then, keep chasing the light—no matter how cold it gets.

Check out my Instagram page as we work through showcasing the work from this project!