When is the best time to elope in Banff?

Summer

Summer is definitely the most popular time to elope in Banff National Park, with June-August being Banff's highest tourist season.

However, this means that it will be super busy and quite crowded, requiring some extra effort to find a secluded spot for your ceremony. One great way to avoid crowds and get some privacy to say your vows is to elope at sunrise. In summer, the sun rises as early as 5:30 a.m (June-July) and around 7:00 a.m. towards the end of the season, so consider this when choosing a date. Even if the thought of waking up before the sun isn’t appealing, hear me out! Very few people are willing to get out and about that early, so you’re almost guaranteed to get the place to yourselves. Plus, you’ll get to watch the sun fill the sky with gorgeous colours that will look amazing in photos! Evening also tends to be quite quiet in the mountains, so if you’re not morning people, eloping around sunset is another great option.

If you dream of eloping in front of one of Banff’s stunning bright blue lakes as seen in pictures, July and August are your ideal months. August, especially, reveals the mountains decorated with alpine wildflowers.

The longer days and warmer weather in summer creates the perfect environment for outdoor activities, such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and water sports, so if you’re wanting to include these activities, summer is the perfect time!

Fall

Fall in Banff is absolutely magical! The colours of autumn create a breathtaking display, and there's something truly special about the golden larches that adorn the forests. Larches are unique coniferous trees that turn a brilliant gold before shedding their needles in the fall, creating a stunning contrast against the evergreen forests. Larch season usually happens from late September to early October, and you won't want to miss it! To find these gorgeous trees, you'll have to hit the trails. Some of my favourite larch hikes in Banff are Larch Valley, Taylor Lake, and Healy Pass, where you'll be surrounded by the most awe-inspiring scenery.

If you love fall colours, I highly recommend eloping in September or October; it's seriously so beautiful in the mountains. There will also be fewer crowds. However, weather is unpredictable, and at higher altitudes, we sometimes get snowfall as early as September.

Winter

Winter transforms Banff into a snowy wonderland, ideal for couples dreaming of a winter elopement.

But you should know, the winter season gets fairly cold, with average lows ranging from -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F), but there is so much to do in Banff during the winter.

If you don’t mind the cold and want a snowy winter wonderland for your elopement day, eloping in the winter can be a lot of fun. Keep in mind that many roads leading to Banff’s popular attractions will be closed, and most trails will be buried in snow.

The days are shorter, so you won't have to get up as early or stay up as late to get sunrise or sunset photos. However, the sun greatly affects the temperatures, and you'll find that when the sun is behind the mountains, it is very cold. But a positive is that photos look good mid-day because you have all the snow to diffuse the light.

There are a lot less crowds when eloping in winter, and it’s super fun to be able to walk out on the middle of a frozen lake for your ceremony.

It’s almost impossible to time, but if you elope around the end of October - mid-November, you may be lucky enough to get a big dump of snow right before and have a beautiful winter wonderland elopement before the lakes freeze over. Or right after the lakes freeze but before they are covered in snow is also a beautiful time. This usually happens around November - December. And then December through March is perfect for skiing, so if you want to hit the slopes after your ceremony, this time is for you!

The weather is super unpredictable, and we may get stuck in a snowstorm, but we'll roll with it, and it’ll make some pretty cool photos. Just make sure you are well prepared for any weather and bring lots of warm layers and hand warmers.

Pro tip: get skin toned fleeced leggings to wear under your dress to keep your legs nice and cozy, you won’t even be able to tell you’re wearing them in the photos.

Spring

Spring in Banff is a quieter time with fewer crowds. As the temperatures rise and the snow begins to melt, the breathtaking turquoise lakes gradually thaw, showcasing their vibrant beauty. It's important to note that lake thawing typically occurs in May, and some lakes may not fully thaw until late June.

Certain lakes thaw earlier than others, such as Vermillion Lakes (April), Lake Minnewanka (May) or Emerald Lake (mid-May). The lakes at higher elevations like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Peyto Lake don’t usually thaw until mid-June.

If you're planning to go hiking during this time, remember to check trail conditions in advance and prepare for slushy trails. Also be prepared for any type of weather as it can be very unpredictable in the spring. You might get sunshine, or you could get a blizzard – so if you want to elope during these months, you’ll be rewarded with fewer crowds, but the weather will be hard to predict.