Banff Winter Elopement Guide | Best Locations

Winter is often an overlooked time to get married and TBH, we have no idea why! There is so something so enchanting about a cozy winter wedding and, lucky for you, here in the Canadian Rockies we are blessed with some of the most insane and beautiful winter landscapes. This guide is going to cover everything you need to know about a winter elopement in Banff, from the best Banff winter elopement locations to what you should pack for your winter elopement and more.

For a really crazy, insanely thorough, and long AF guide on how to Elope in Banff – read this blog of ours. It goes over all the details there, so I am just going to skip to the good good here and focus on winter elopements in Banff (and some bonus locations in the Canadian Rockies).

Table of Contents

• Why Have a Winter Elopement in Banff
• Pros and Cons of Eloping in Banff in the Winter
• Average Winter Temp and Climate in Banff
• Best Winter Banff Elopement Locations
• Winter Elopement Ideas
• What You Should Pack for Your Winter Elopement
• Places to Stay for Your Banff Winter Elopement
• Banff Winter Elopement Photographer

Why Have a Winter Elopement in Banff? 

First off, Alberta is a prime location for all things winter. If you love doing winter sports or just love the peacefulness and looking at the snowy landscapes, then Banff is the perfect spot for you. There are so many places to chose from that offer an abundance of recreation opportunities, from skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, snowshoeing, skating, heli skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hiking, walking, and much much more. Not only is there a ton to do while you’re here but there is also no shortage of breathtakingly beautiful places for your elopement.

Pros and Cons of Eloping in Banff in the Winter

Because everyone loves a good pros/cons list, here is mine for Banff winter elopements.

Pros:

1. Stunning Winter Scenery:
   Snow-capped peaks, frozen lakes like Lake Louise and Bow Lake, and frosty forests create a magical, fairy-tale backdrop. It gives winter wonderland vibes and personally, we cannot get enough of it.
   
2. Fewer Crowds:
   Banff is one of the top tourist locations in the world (and for a good reason) and summertime here in the Rockies can be a bit hectic. Come winter though, tourism slows down (or get transferred mostly to the ski hills) so it’s much easier to find those intimate and quiet locations for ceremonies. Fewer people want to brave the cold and it’s just a whole new experience exploring Banff in the winter months.
   
3. Cozy, Romantic Vibes:
   Think crackling fires, warm blankets, hot chocolate, and cozy cabins—perfect for post-ceremony celebrations. We highly recommend finding a cute Air Bnb or lodge to stay at that will give all the cozy vibes. Imagine heading back to your cabin after a day exploring and you can crack open some bevvies and climb into the hot tub for some intimate and relaxing moments to cap off the day.
   
4. Potential Cost Savings:
   Since summer is Banff’s busy season, off-season rates for accommodations and flights can potentially save you a bit of money for your elopement.
   
5. Fun Winter Activities:
   Eloping in Banff during winter means you can turn your adventure into a full experience with activities like dog sledding, ice skating on frozen lakes, snowshoeing, or hitting the slopes at world-class ski resorts. It’s the perfect way to combine your wedding with an unforgettable winter getaway! (More on this below!)

Cons:

1. Unpredictable Weather:
   The extreme cold, snowstorms, or icy conditions can affect travel plans and outdoor ceremonies so it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in place. We really love to (safely) embrace whatever the weather throws at us and sometimes the most fun can be had in the snowiest of snowstorms.
   
2. Limited Accessibility:
   Come winter, some scenic locations, like Moraine Lake, are closed or hard to reach due to snow and avalanche risk. All of the premier hikes in Banff are inaccessible in the winter due to high snowpack up in the alpine so unfortunately, locations are kind of limited for elopements in Banff in the winter. Winter is not an ideal time for couples who are looking for a hiking elopement in Banff but if you’re just up for a fun winter adventure with less people around, it might just be for you!
   
3. Shorter Daylight Hours:
   There is a lot less daylight in the winter here so that means less time for natural light photography. We will just have to plan your timeline out really well, taking advantage of all of the light that we can for your ceremony and photos. And this might not be a con for some people, because if you’re not a morning person, the sun comes up late enough during the day in the winter that you can still sleep in a bit and catch the 8AM sunrise which sure beats the 5AM sunrise in the summertime. And even if you do want to catch all the activities during your winter elopement, we love photographing into blue hour and into the night with fun things like lanterns, lights, and sparklers!
   
4. Travel Delays:
   Winter road conditions can lead to delays and sometimes closures, requiring flexible timelines and backup plans. Sometimes the roads can get pretty dicey especially up the Icefield’s Parkway, but we always come prepared with backup plans and we will keep safety at the forefront of everything that we do.

Average Winter Temps and Climate in Banff

If you can handle it, Banff winters are crisp, cold, but oh-so-beautiful. From December to February, temperatures typically range from -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F). March starts to warm up a bit, but expect plenty of snow still on the ground. The air is dry, which helps the cold feel less biting, and the snow? Light, fluffy, and perfect for that dreamy winter aesthetic. A little Banff elopement secret tip? April is one of our favourite months for those wanting a winter wonderland elopement.

Best Winter Banff Elopement Locations

There are a few locations that are prime Alberta elopement spots in the summer that we can’t get to in the winter (like Moraine Lake) and there are some places that are even more magical in the winter. So to make it easier for you, we have narrowed it down to our favourite places to elope in the winter in Banff. These are some of the most beautiful winter elopement locations in Canada.

1. Lake Louise – Picture a frozen lake surrounded by towering peaks. The ice sparkles under the winter sun, and it’s pure magic. It’s much less busy here in the winter time which is so nice.
   
   
2. Peyto Lake – Accessible via a short snowshoe or winter hike, this iconic wolf-shaped lake offers breathtaking views from the lookout. The Icefield’s Parkway can get a little dicey depending on the snow situation in the winter but it’s a spot that should be on everyones list.
   
   
3. Two Jack Lake – Nice and close to Banff townsite, this is one of our fave spots for a winter sunrise.
   
   
4. Lake Minnewanka – Another easily accessible lake close to Banff townsite with stunning frozen lake views and mountain backdrops, perfect for sunrise or sunset ceremonies.
   
   
5. Bow Lake – Always our favourite location in Banff, and in winter it is even better because it’s less crowded, with breathtaking mountain views and wide-open snowy spaces.
   

Winter Elopement Ideas

• Ice Skating on Lake Louise or the iconic rink outside the Fairmont Chateau. Early on in winter (usually November/December) right after the lakes freeze, it is possible to skate on wild ice on many of the lakes in Banff before they get snow covered. It’s such a unique and memorable experience!
• Dog Sledding for an adventurous, once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are a couple great companies in Banff, we can point you in the right direction!
• Snowshoeing to secret spots for epic photos.
• Hot Springs Soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs—nothing beats warm water surrounded by snowy scenery.
• Skiing or Snowboarding at Lake Louise or Sunshine Village if you want to hit the slopes post-ceremony.
• Snowcat or UTV Tour up to the gorgeous ridges at Fortress Mountain Resort just south east of Banff National Park. You get to get up high in the alpine with no need for winter hiking or getting cold in a helicopter. Check out this winter adventure elopement at Fortress Mountain for some inspo!

What You Should Pack for Your Winter Elopement

Here is a list of some things that you should for sure pack for your winter elopement. We want you to be warm and cozy and have the best experience!

• Thermal Base Layers to stay warm under your wedding attire. We highly recommend skin toned thermal leggings under wedding dresses, you won’t even be able to tell you have leggings on in photos if your dress is up!
• Hand and Toe Warmers because frozen fingers aren’t fun. Hot tip – sometimes it helps to get the sticky ones and stick em right on your body under your dress.
• Waterproof Boots (stylish ones exist!) for trudging through snow.
• Wool Socks, Hats, and Gloves to keep cozy between shots.
• A Blanket or Shawl for snuggling during portraits.
• Lip Balm and Moisturizer to combat the dry mountain air.
• Traction Aids (like microspikes) if you’ll be walking on icy trails.
• Super Warm Jackets to put on when we aren’t taking photos.
• Insulated thermos with warm drinks.
• First Aid Kit
• Portable cell phone chargers (those photo batteries do NOT last very long in this cold)
• Headlamps
• Snacks

Places to Stay for Your Banff Winter Elopement

• Storm Mountain Lodge – Cozy, rustic cabins with wood-burning stoves. Total mountain vibes.
• The Juniper Hotel – Incredible views and a modern, boutique feel.
• Baker Creek Mountain Resort – Log cabins nestled in the forest with wood fireplaces. And a skating rink under lights? YES PLEASE.
• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Iconic, luxurious, and right on the lake.
• Mount Engadine Lodge – Just outside Banff in Kananaskis, this will forever be one of our favourite places. Remote and peaceful with stunning mountain views and amazing food.

If you’re into adventure, backcountry huts offer seclusion and epic scenery:

• Elizabeth Parker Hut – Near Lake O’Hara, it’s ski or snowshoe access only, surrounded by jaw-dropping peaks.
• Shadow Lake Lodge – A cozy, off-the-grid lodge that’s a 14hm ski-in during winter with all the snowy charm you could want.

Banff Winter Elopement Photographer

We hope that gave you what you were looking for and we are excited to hopefully start planning your Banff winter elopement with you! We can’t wait to get out there and explore the beauty and winter wonderland vibes that Banff has to offer and get to photograph your special day so that you can re-live the experience over and over again. Reach out today and let’s get started.