Getting married in the mountains doesn’t get more epic than a helicopter elopement in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. Within minutes, the world falls away beneath you as you rise above the valleys, glide past snow-covered peaks, and touch down somewhere few ever get to stand. A quiet, secluded place where it’s just the two of you, the mountains, and the moment you say I do.
This is all you need to know to plan your helicopter elopement in Banff
Why a Helicopter Elopement Lets You Leave the World Behind
Avoid crowds
Banff has captured hearts all over the world, and it’s easy to understand why. Turquoise glacier-fed lakes, jagged mountain peaks, and beauty that stops you in your tracks no matter where you turn. But as Banff’s images have spread across social media, so has its popularity. And with that popularity has come a level of crowds few ever imagined — traffic backed up before sunrise, shuttles filling fast, campsites booked months ahead. Even in places that once felt untouched, the quiet has become harder to find.
Reach higher altitudes without hiking
If being sweaty for your elopement ceremony is not something you want but you do want the views, a helicopter elopement might be just what you need! In just about 20 minutes you can reach spots that would take you days to reach (sometimes you can’t even go there by foot)! You also get stunning views from the helicopter by flying over glaciers and peaks.
A unique and bonding experience
Helicopters can be scary. Fear of flying (even planes) is a thing! We all heard all of the bad when something happens but no one really hears about all of the other times. And let me tell you: not everyone gets to fly a helicopter! It is a bonding experience between you and your partner and you will remember it for the rest of your lives. Why not make it even more special by saying your vows up top??!
Choosing a helicopter elopement will allow you to elope and get married in a place where it is guaranteed to be just the two of you (and your closed ones if you choose so), the pilot, the officiant and your photographer. It is also a way to see more than the “classic” sceneries in Banff. You will go to a place way less travelled. And you can also choose your own adventure! Being dropped and hike to a waterfall is something you can do if you want! PS: a helicopter elopement might be cheaper than you thought but it still has a price.
What helicopter company to choose in Banff?
There are a few different companies that will offer heli-wedding or heli-elopement packages around Banff. I will sort them out by my recommended options first!
Nordegg
Rockies Heli Canada – https://www.rockiesheli.com/
Located near Nordegg on the shores of Abraham Lake, Rockies Heli Canada provides helicopter services for weddings and elopements.
Having flown with them a lot, they are the best – and safest – team out there for helicopter rides. The team knows what they are doing and are so nice.
They also cover a part of the Rockies that is more secluded than Banff or Canmore. Which means, you won’t see 100 helicopters around you and you will see unique peaks and sceneries. Abraham Lake is an underrated lake in the Canadian Rockies and this is the perfect time to explore more of it!
You can do a helicopter tour + a hike or just a tour + a landing or even a tour + hike to a waterfall with a picnic. You can even bring your dog with Rockies Heli!
Pricing (depending on the package): about 500$/person + price of photographer + price of officiant
Canmore
Alpine Helicopter – https://alpinehelicopter.com/
They do tours in Kananaskis, Canmore, Assiniboine (my favourite!) and Banff. They leave from Canmore and Nakoda (between Calgary and Canmore).
This is a more common option but still a good one. Their stop for the wedding is at a place called Marvel Pass which is in Mount Assiniboine Park. This place is truly special and stunning. During the flight you go very close to the glaciers for an unbeatable view! You can choose to stay 15 minutes or up to 1h depending on the package you choose.
There is also an option to actually stay at Assiniboine. Assiniboine is a backcountry hike (between 3 to 5 days) where you can also helicopter in, out, both or helicopter just your equipment as well. There is a lodge at the top as well as a campsite. It is a once in a lifetime experience. There is only a handful of people there at a time because of its remoteness and a limit on the number of sleeping spots. If you would like to know more about it, send me a message (I have done the hike and I can’t stop talking about it!!).
Pricing range: from $1520 for up to 5 people to $3350 for 5 people (pricing varies) + photographer price + officiant price