Here are a few ideas which should get you, and your partner’s heart pounding!

• Banff Gondola. Reach for the skies with your loved one. The views from the top are spectacular and you can walk about 10 minutes along the boardwalk to get to Sanson Peak. Some tour operators such as rocky-peak Holidays issue vouchers with expiry dates so you don’t have to commit to a day in advance (in case the weather is not perfect).
• Canoe. Paddle your way to happiness. Canoes can be rented on the Bow River where you can paddle UP stream or along the channels to Vermillion Lakes. You can take a romantic picnic and sit on the shores. Other spectacular locations include Moraine Lake and Lake Louise as well as Emerald Lake which is located in Yoho National Park.
• Bow Falls. Fall to your knee at these beautiful falls. A romantic location where a 2-minute walk will get you to a quieter pebble beach with a great view of the falls.
• Johnson Canyon. Listen to the water fall as you fall to your knee. This is the most accessible Canyon you will find in Banff National Park – there are 7 waterfalls in total. A short walk gets you to the lower falls and a cave where you have a close up view of the lower falls. Walk a little further and you will get to the upper falls which are quieter and allow you to avoid any “gorpers” when you ask the question.
• Lake Louise Gondola. You may see a bear and if you do, the answer won’t be grizzly. Take the gondola or chairlift at the Lake Louise ski resort up the mountain for amazing views of Lake Louise. There is a viewing platform at the top – perfect for proposals.
• Horseback Ride. Giddy up and clip-clop your way to life-long happiness. You will have to have a guide on this one – they will of course back-off when you decide to ask the question! Horesback rides get you to quieter locations along the Bow River.
• Cave and Basin. This is where Canada’s National Park system all began – the place for beginnings! This is a great alternative if the weather is not so good for your entire stay (unlikely as Alberta is Canada’s sunniest province). This UNESCO World Heritage site is a good spot and a place to remember.
• Viewpoints. Show your loved one a sight they won’t forget! There are many sights to see, some of which require a short walk if you are the active type. Sights include the Hoodoos, Mount Norquay viewpoint (on the road up to Mount Norquay) and a short walk up Tunnel Mountain. All of these spots are particularly romantic at dusk.
• Hot Springs. Warm up your partner before you pop the question! This could be a challenge as these Banff hot springs are popular and getting a ring out when you only have swim gear on could be interesting – worth a try through. Note that you may have an audience.
• Helicopter Flight. Take your relationship to new heights! For the ultimate in indulgence take a private charter out of nearby Canmore  - you can rent a helicopter (and pilot!) on a hourly basis and they can take you to romantic remote location for you to wonder off and do your thing. Champagne can also be included in the package. Note that no sightseeing helicopters are permitted in the National Park so you have to leave Banff National Park for this. This is pricey but how often are you going to ask this question – just once we hope!

There are great spa facilities such as the Willow Stream Spa in the romantic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. I would recommend you stay in this historic hotel. Spa access at this hotel is complimentary with the purchase of most spa services (excluding Salon services) and is just currently $69 per person when you stay at the hotel for full day access.

If the answer is yes – congratulations! Now, it’s time to start to plan your wedding and what better place is there to where you proposed – Banff National Park?! Places to get married in Banff National Park? – well that’s another post altogether.

This is a lot of information to take in and we recommend rocky-peak Holidays to help you plan and book all this for you as you don’t want to leave anything to chance!

I went out last Tuesday, October 14, which is getting quite late for Heli-Hiking. As you can see by the pictures, there was already some snow. Once the snow really accumulates, you can take advantage of a Heli-Snowshoe tours which can also be booked through rocky-peak Ski Holidays.

The drive to the Helicopter start point is spectacular in itself as you have to drive along the magnificent Icefields Parkway from either Jasper, Banff or Lake Louise. The location makes this tour a great addition to many itineraries in Western Canada as it is right en-route and so minimises travel time.

Once you arrive at the Icefields Heliport, just outside of Banff National Park, you will be safety briefed, geared up, and then you board the helicopter.

The helicopter takes you into the backcountry where you can start your hike with the certified guide. Martha, the guide, was very knowledgeable and has the qualifications to back this up!

The walk in itself was easy, however, if you are a stronger hiker, slightly more challenging heli-hikes can be arranged. The home-made gourmet lunch was delicious and really satisfying. After a couple of hours of hiking, the guide will radio the helicopter pilot and you will be picked up. It really is that easy!

I hope you enjoy the photos and if you have any questions, please feel free to post here and I will do my best to answer them, or you can contact rocky-peak Holidays direct.

Do you like Yoga? Why not try a Heli-Yoga tour?!

Memorable hiking in the Canadian Rockies.

There are many photo opportunities!

The only things left behind: your footprints.

Nature surrounds you. Opportunites to see wildlife.

The guide knows the area better than anyone!

Scenic mountain streams.

Abraham Lake greets you on your return flight.