How to Prepare for a Winter Helicopter Elopement | A Whistler Elopements Guide

Are you considering a winter helicopter elopement? It’s an unforgettable experience with breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains and endless skies. However, it’s important to remember that winter elopements come with their own set of challenges. The sub-zero temperatures, deep snow, and strong winds require extra preparation. In this blog post, we’ll share some key tips for preparing for a winter helicopter elopement, including weather considerations, dressing appropriately for the cold, landing zone options, and keeping your elopement intimate. So, if you’re ready to take your elopement to the next level, read on!

Are you ready for an adventure that will have you screaming “I do!” from the mountaintops? A winter helicopter elopement is a totally epic way to tie the knot and create memories that will make your heart soar! Picture this: You and your partner exchanging vows as you fly high above snow-covered peaks with crystal clear blue skies all around you. But wait, don’t let the cold get you down! Winter may present some unique challenges, but with a little bit of prep, your elopement can be a total success. So grab your hot cocoa and cozy up, because in this blog post, we’re spilling the beans on how to prep for your winter helicopter elopement.

Weather dependency

When it comes to helicopters, Mother Nature is the ultimate gatekeeper. Just like airplanes can be grounded by a thick fog on the runway, helicopters need clear skies to land. And since we’re heading into the mountains, clouds can often hover over our landing zones, even on days when the rest of the world looks bright and sunny. To make matters even more complicated, helicopters can’t fly when the visibility is too low, which means fog, snow, rain, or even a cloudy day can keep us grounded.
But don’t let that rain on your elopement parade! Here’s the good news: we’ve got your back. If the weather isn’t cooperating on your scheduled day, we’ll work with you to find a new date with better conditions. So be flexible and keep those fingers crossed for clear skies – we’re ready to make your winter helicopter elopement dreams come true!

Cold temperatures

Winter on the mountaintops are no joke. While the valley might be feeling pretty mild, once we take off in the helicopter, the temperature drops faster than a snowball on a steep slope. We’re talking 10-15C colder than the valley, which means we could be facing some seriously frosty conditions up top. With the wind whipping at 20-40km/h, it could feel like we’re in the middle of a winter hurricane! To make sure you’re warm and toasty for your winter helicopter wedding, it’s all about dressing for the occasion. Winter jackets, snow boots, gloves or mittens, and something to cover those ears are a big must. And if you can incorporate a winter toque or ear-muffs into your look, you’ll be even more snug! We also recommend wearing long-johns or tights as a base layer for your top and bottom to keep that chill at bay. Trust us, your fingers and ears will thank you later.

Limited landing zones

When it comes to winter helicopter weddings, we’ve got to play by Mother Nature’s rules. And in the mountains, that means limited landing zones during the snowy season. With all that fluffy white stuff piling up, it can be tough for our helicopters to touch down safely (and for you to exit safely, too!). But don’t worry, we’ve still got two amazing options for your big day: Rainbow Mountain and the Jim Haberl Hut.

Rainbow Mountain – Flying from the Whistler Heliport. This landing zone for your helicopter wedding is at the peak of Rainbow Mountain, and is full of deep snow. Check out the photos below. There is a direct flight option, as well as a flight with a scenic tour. The direct flight is 12 minutes of flying time, and flies straight up a ridge to the peak. The scenic flight is 25 minutes of flying time, and flies over Whistler Blackcomb, past Cheakamus and Garibaldi Lakes, does a fly-by of Black Tusk and show a birds-eye view of Whistler before (or after) landing at Rainbow.

Jim Haberl Hut – Flying from the Squamish Airport, this landing zone is at the top of the Serratus Glacier, between Mount Serratus and Mt. Dionne. The direct flight is 8-9 minutes each way, and flies over the Squamish River, past Lake Lovely Water and shows the Serratus Glacier very close. We also land near a ridge, that always has giant rocks exposed and cliffs below, for a real “top of the world” feeling

Keep it intimate
Let’s snuggle up and get cozy! Flying in a helicopter is like a magical journey, but with limited seats, we want to make sure your winter elopement is perfect. We’ve got room for you, your partner, an officiant, photographer, and videographer, so you’ll already be snuggled up close. But, if you want to invite more guests, we can arrange a second trip. Just keep in mind, it means spending more time on the mountain in the cold. To keep things warm and intimate, we suggest keeping it to just the two of you and making it a moment you’ll never forget. Or, if you can’t resist sharing the love with your nearest and dearest, why not consider a summer elopement? You’ll still get the stunning snowy mountaintops all year round!

You won’t want to miss out on making your winter helicopter elopement truly magical! So don’t forget to follow the steps we’ve outlined above to take your experience to the next level. Trust us, it’s worth it! And when you’re ready to start planning your dream elopement, be sure to check out our other helicopter elopement blogs and hit us up through our contact page. We can’t wait to make your big day one to remember!

Winter Helicopter Elopements

Planning | Whistler Elopements
Photography | Tara Lilly Photography