4 Ways to Elope on a Mountain Without Hiking!
Did you know there are plenty of mountain elopement ideas that don’t require hiking at all? That’s right! You can get those epic alpine views BC is known for without lacing up your boots or breaking a sweat. There’s no shame in taking a more relaxed route to the mountain tops on your wedding day, even if you’re an avid hiker. In fact, these adventure elopement options even bring an extra layer of fun to your day!
There’s not one mountain elopement idea that trumps the rest. Each adventure option has its own pros and cons, depending on the vision for your day! Factors like season, outdoor comfort level, budget, and whether you’re bringing guests will all help decide which elopement idea might be the one for you. But the good news is, when you’re eloping in BC, pretty much any mountain town (Whistler, Revelstoke, Golden, Squamish Manning Park, etc.) will have at least two of these four options to choose from. Ready to learn how to have a mountain elopement without the hike? Let’s go!
Take to the skies with a helicopter elopement!
For the ultimate adventure experience, a helicopter tour easily comes to mind for elopement idea #1! It’s a fan favourite in British Columbia, with almost every region having at least one helicopter company. Ideal for ceremonies with just you and your partner, you can be whisked away to the total wilderness of mountain tops or glacial lakes that you’d never reach on foot. Landings often range from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours which is perfect for a short and sweet ceremony in the alpine. No need to worry about witnesses either as your pilot and photographer (such as myself) can sign your paperwork!
There are some important factors to consider before you book a helicopter elopement though. The biggest one is without a doubt the weather. Helis are extremely weather dependent and with the moody weather of the west coast, you truly never know if you’ll fly until the day of. The summer months of July and August bring clear skies and probably around an 80% chance of flying, but only a 20% chance in shoulder season or winter months. That means if you get easily stressed about moving to a backup plan or don’t have flexible days for your elopement, I’d advise against booking a heli. You also get only a limited time on the mountain, not much space to bring anyone along, and it’s not usually possible to catch the sunset during the tour, at least not in the summer.
All that being said, many of my couples find it worth the risk! Check out this Squamish Helicopter Elopement for a bit of inspiration. If you want insane views with little to no effort, this one might be for you.
Summary:
Pros: Privacy, epic views, secluded nature unreachable by foot!
Cons: Higher investment, extremely weather dependent, not great for guests or dogs, no sunset views. (ask me about which companies allow dogs and will fly during sunset!)
Helicopter Tour Companies I recommend:
Blackcomb Helicopters (Whistler)
Blacktusk Helicopters (Squamish)
Alpine Helicopters (Golden)
Glacier Helicopters (Revelstoke)
Sky Helicopters (Pitt Meadows/Vancouver)
Atleo Air Service (Tofino)
2. Head up the slope on a Gondola!
Glide over the mountainside through rocky cliffs and lush forests while spotting wildlife along the way. Arrive at the top of the mountain with your closest friends and family for your intimate elopement ceremony. Spend an hour or the whole day taking in the impressive views. Maybe even take a walk or short hike to explore. Sounds like a dream, huh? Nope, it’s just a gondola wedding in BC!
It won’t get you quite as remote views or as much privacy as a helicopter, but there is no shortage of incredible sights at the top of a gondola. Another major bonus is that there are amenities, often including restaurants and bathrooms, giving you and any guests a bit more comfort while you’re eloping in the mountains.
But with more amenities come some downsides. You’ll find more structures, with things like equipment and ski vehicles that might take away from the wilderness feel. You might also need a permit or be required to rent from the resort that owns the gondola! Don’t forget to check season hours as well, as these lifts often close during shoulder season (October-November and May-June). Fridays are always recommended for Whistler in the summer because hours are longer and you just might be able to catch sunset!
Sounds like a good time, right? I’ve got the photos to prove it is! You’ll want to snag Miranda and Steve’s mountain elopement idea and have a winter mountain ceremony via a gondola and or take a look at Nat & Mat’s Whistler gondola elopement for something more in the sumer!
Summary:
Pros: Great for bringing along guests, short hike options, flexible timing, amenities at the top, affordable!
Cons: Seasonality & closures, no furry friends, less privacy, equipment & structures around, sometimes you need a permit or to rent from a venue/resort!
Notable picks:
Sea to Sky Gondola - Squamish
Whistler - Blackcomb Gondola - Whistler
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort - Golden
3. Elopement road trip adventure!
Do you have an adventurous spirit and feel up for a little drive? Renting a car (or taking your own if you’re local) and heading into the mountains is a top-notch elopement idea if you want total freedom and flexibility in your day. Pack a picnic, watch the sunset, camp overnight – it’s all possible when you drive. There are plenty of scenic spots where you can essentially pull right up to the noteworthy views! No hiking required. Though you’ll probably find yourself wanting to take a short walk or two to explore.
You might not have total privacy as you’ll likely be on shared public lands, but you can find your way around peak times and crowds. The only real bummer is that you’re limited to summer months as most mountain roads close in the wintertime. Plus, if you’re not comfortable with a 4x4, you’ll need to stick to roads with easier access. And because you’re often heading hours into the mountains, most couples choose to get legally married in town rather than travelling with an officiant.
If you’re not afraid to do some logistic planning on your own and really want a laid-back day with no strict timelines or to-dos, this elopement idea might be for you! The best part? You aren’t sacrificing any beautiful views when you choose to drive over hike. Take a look at this Sub Alpine Meadows elopement for evidence!
Summary:
Pros: Total freedom & flexibility, can avoid crowds, plan activities (bring your dog, camp, kayak, picnic)!
Cons: Limited to summer months because of road closures, sometimes need a 4x4, not great if you aren’t down for an adventure on mountain roads.
Road trip mountain elopement ideas (no 4x4 / no hiking needed):
Meadows in the Sky Parkway (Revelstoke)
Gibson Lake (Nelson)
4. Exclusive access with a 4x4 tour!
This elopement idea is specific to a Whistler elopement, but man is it a wild ride. Canadian Wilderness Adventures offers 4x4 tours with exclusive access to Blackcomb Mountain that give you the same feeling of total privacy in nature as a helicopter without the stress of weather restrictions (with lightning being the only culprit causing cancellations).
This tour company takes care of all of the logistics and planning so you can explore mountain peaks and wildlife along the way without a worry in the world (or long hikes to get there). They’re local experts with knowledge of all of the best spots, ensuring you’ll get that quintessential British Columbia adventure every time. While it’s only available from July to October, this option is perfect for summer elopement in the mountains.
Don’t miss this stunning 4x4 jeep elopement with Canadian Wilderness Adventures on the blog! Not planning a summer elopement? No worries, the company offers plenty of winter adventures like dog sledding and snowmobile tours, as well!
Summary:
Pros: Privacy & access to private areas, logistics planned for you, epic views with much fewer weather restrictions, and wildlife sightings!
Cons: Only in Whistler, only from July to early October, no dog pals.
Which no-hiking mountain elopement idea is best for you?
If it’s just the two of you, searching for an epic adventure from above with a remote private ceremony location, and you aren’t worried about moving to a backup plan, then a helicopter elopement is perfect for you!
If you want to bring people with you, take time to explore the mountainside, and are planning for peak seasons in BC (winter or summer) then a gondola wedding could be a great fit!
If you know a place and you’re an avid adventurer with your 4x4 vehicle and you want to go somewhere that takes some time to get to, but have total flexibility, then a drive into the wilderness would be the best elopement idea!
If you’re getting married in the summer in Whistler , want privacy and big views, but don’t want the hassle of a backup plan or finding a location, then a 4x4 jeep tour is the right choice.
No hiking? No problem!
Let me know which mountain elopement idea is right for you!
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