7 Reasons to Elope in Banff in the Winter
Of all the seasons, winter seems to be the season that people either love, or hate. The shorter days and cold temperatures normally have people dreaming of warm, sunny beaches. But us? We’re perfectly at home in -25 degrees (Celsius).
Yes, we know the Canadian Rockies is a chilly place to be in the depths of winter but there’s something special about it, and we love it. After all, why do you think we chased a year-round Winter for 10 years?!
From Canmore to Banff and further afield, the Canadian Rockies has something for everyone and if you’re already exploring the idea of a Winter celebration then the chances are you don’t need persuading. That said, if you’re not quite sure yet and you need convincing then here are our top 7 reasons to elope in Winter.
Skiing and Snowboarding Wedding
For the more obvious, exhilarating option in winter, look no further than the local ski resorts! With a variety of resorts to choose from, each with their own character, venues and views you’ll be spoilt for choice. Sliding on snow is second nature to us, having spent lots of time (think 200+ days per year some years!) on snow in Alberta, BC, New Zealand and Europe we’re happy to introduce you to some lesser known resorts and capture your on-snow celebrations. If resorts aren’t your thing, there’s always the option to experience heli or cat-skiing to find something more secluded.
Dark Skies
During Winter, the shorter days are a blessing in disguise, giving way to spectacular, star-filled skies. Spending time under the stars is without doubt one of the more magical ways to pass your time. It’s something that never gets old and for us, seeing your favourite landscapes under the night sky adds a unique element. Kahli is an astro photography specialist and pays close attention to the moon cycle, cloud coverage and weather patterns so planning a night session is her forte. If you’re looking for something truly unique, why not pick her brains about the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and explore what it would take to bring some colour into your celebrations.
Ice
Yes, you read that correctly. Ice is amazing to photograph as it interacts with light in so many interesting ways. Ice forms uniquely every winter and can give our landscapes and waterways a beautiful make-over. In addition, if you’re avid ice skaters or hockey fans there’s some fun to be had by bringing your passions into your elopement plans.
Snowfall
Snow puts a smile on everyone’s face! There’s something about a fresh snowfall that seems to ignite the inner child in everyone. Fresh snowfall at any time of year transforms our peaks and valleys into brilliant white blank canvases. If you really want to get that wild, raw feel for your memories and photos of your day then winter is a great way to go. It can simplify landscapes and put you in the spotlight in some vast and beautiful areas.
Winter activities
There are a couple more exciting activities that you can only really take advantage of during the winter that lend themselves nicely to enjoying the outdoors together. Firstly, for all the dog lovers out there, why not try dog-sledding? Get snuggled up together under a rug and enjoy a truly unique experience from start to finish. For the walkers and hikers out there, your winter alternative is snow-shoeing. A lovely way to see the stunning, snowy landscapes. If snow-shoeing is a little slow for you, why not try cross country skiing? It’s another way to get around and usually goes hand in hand with cosy weekends at our mountain lodges. Finally, we’ve already mentioned it before...ice-skating, which is a very popular thing to do at Lake Louise in the winter. Every season, our waterways freeze over and we get our “Christmas Card” moments, holding hands, scarves and gloves, gliding around in our winter wonderland. Sounds like a nice picture doesn’t it?
Sleep ins for sunrises and early nights for sunsets
Winter offers an awesome opportunity for sunrise lovers to actually get some sleep. Sunrises in our mountain towns in winter can be as late as 8:30am compared to the early hours of 4am in Summer. That’s a few more hours of beauty sleep in the run up to your celebrations. For the sunset enthusiasts out there, how does 4:30pm sound to watch the light change before enjoying the rest of your evening celebrations. Winter is the time of year to enjoy sunrise and sunset in the least impactful way on your beauty sleep.
Cosy Creations
As if you’re not convinced already, now is the time to take in the whole picture. Winter is a time to get cosy with your loved ones. Rosy cheeks and rising breath followed by log fires and hot chocolates. If this is how you dream that your special day looks, then settle into a winter elopement to celebrate your love together.
So there you have it, 7 reasons why you should elope in Winter. We love it and we know you’ll love it too.
Kahli & Leo
Wild Alpine Image Co.