5 Great Mountain Dates
Alright, let's get right to the point. You’re running out of date ideas and need a romantic activity other than eating at a restaurant or watching Netflix. Listen up and send the kids to the babysitter asap because It’s time you and your boo finally have some quality time together. I’ve compiled a list of 5 amazing things you can do so you can connect with really well and obviously will have a great time.
Let me know what you think and comment below!
Lake Minnewanka, AB
1. Kayak or Canoe at Lake Minnewanka
Hey you love birds, you started the relationship as a team and partners in life so why not continue that teamwork mentality again as you paddle your way through the depths of Lake Minnewanka. The reason why I chose Lake Minnewanka over the other lakes is because it’s huge, Less crowded than other lakes ( like Moraine and Lousie) and Minnewanka is just as equally beautiful.
Price: Rentals go from $40/Hour CAD depending on what boat you would like.
Best time to go: Mid July - end of September. Preferably Mid - end of September for the beautiful larches and fall colors. July and August are great too for the nice weather, just keep in mind July can be unpredictable sometimes with the frequent thunderstorms. Boating and rental services don’t open until 10:00 am, I recommend showing up before noon as that’s when people start to stroll in, try to beat the tourists and go for a nice morning walk if you can. Afternoons are ok just be careful of crowded parking especially on weekends Friday - Sunday.
Where to park: Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No. 9, AB T1L 1K2
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6V83R5zNSz3GXqAKANeed to know: Lake Minnewanka has some trail restrictions from July - September due to active bear activity, restrictions come in the form of heavily enforced groups of 4 or more. The fines are real and so are the dangers of a bear. The Park Rangers are strict and don't mess around and fines are reflective on the severity of the crime.
Please familiarise yourself with the map and trails here:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/gestion-management/ours-bears/minnewanka
Photo Courtesy of Kananaskis Nordic Spa (@knordicspa)
2. Kananaskis Nordic Spa
“Hydrotherapy is the cycle of alternating between hot, warm, and cold baths followed by periods of rest. This traditional Nordic sequence stimulates blood flow, eliminates toxins, reduces stress, allows the mind to unwind, and gently increases the heart rate for an instant feeling of head-to-toe wellbeing.”
This is honestly the best thing that I have ever done, ever.
What you can expect: A grand experience with Hydrotherapy, Massage and an overall outdoorsy lounge vibe feel that you can’t recreate anywhere else. Be prepared for some deep conversations and get ready to log in some hours of quality time. Nordic spa has this down to a science with their Hydrotherapy pools for guaranteed stress extermination!
Price: Hydrotherapy $99 + GST
What they offer: 60 minute Aromatherapy, 60 minute Deep Tissue Massage, Prenatal Pregnancy Massage and Couples Massage. Prices starting at $189 CAD plus GST
Best time to go: During the winter, the colder the better. Summer is fine too, but the winter just has a different feel to it and seems more suiting for the contrast of cold weather to hot pools.
Address: 1 Centennial Dr, Kananaskis, AB T0L 2H0
https://knordicspa.com/
Lake Louise, AB
3. Dog Sledding !!!
Attention all puppy lovers, if you’re looking for some pawsitivity in your life this is it.
You’ll be cuddled up with your partner in a sled as you watch a dozen of the cutest pups happily pull you to wherever their heart desires. (Remember to give them all a good head scratch as a thank you after the tour is over). Sit back, Relax and let them do the work and enjoy their ecstatic energy and their highly driven personalities.
Price: Starting at $250 CAD for 30min, $612 for 6 hours
Best time to go: December - February when there is lots of snow! Bookings are available end of November but please check in with their booking slots.
Address/meeting place: Lake Louise 16430 Highway 1A, Lake Louise, AB T0L
Need to know: Dress for the weather! Like really, it can get extremely cold and can get colder the faster you go, bring some toe warmers, good socks, boots, warm jacket, warm undergarments, gloves and I highly recommend face shields or scarfs.
For more info on bookings and tours please visit:https://kingmikdogsledtours.com/
Canmore, AB
4. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
SUP is one of the activities that when you see someone else do it you always tell yourself “hey that looks so fun! I wanna try this one day” And then never actually pulling through with your commitment. Well if that’s you I have some good news, today is the day.
Price: Rentals start at $39 CAD
To book lessons I recommend contacting Bowvalleysup http://bowvalleysup.ca/Rentals/
Address/Launch area: https://goo.gl/maps/mgp7qRGp5rbf3RCj9
Need to know: Always check the weather before you head out, winds over 15km/h can make things a bit tricky especially if you’re new. With strong winds and an upright position, that is a recipe for constant falling in cold water. Also be sure to read the updated restrictions signs and watch out for the markers in the water so you don’t venture out into the restricted areas. It would also be wise to have a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer, no lifeguards so swim AT YOUR OWN RISK. If it’s appropriate, i’d recommend a wetsuit as well or anything to keep you warm since this lake may not always be the warmest lake
5. Cycling the Legacy Trail from Canmore - Banff
Couples who workout together stay together. At least that's what I think people say right?
A 22 km bike ride one way that should take you about 1- 1.5 hours. The nice part is if you start in Canmore it will be a 138m elevation gain heading to banff but a downhill cruise from Banff back to Canmore. I recommend turning this into a half day adventure, start your journey in Canmore, haul your butt to Banff for a good workout, increase those serotonin levels, grab some post workout grub in Banff and be amazed with the endless selection of restaurants that your heart desires. If you have your own bikes and a way to transport them , great. If not you are in luck for some rentals.Price: The cheapest prices that I found are from Rundle Mountain RV park. There’s no point in getting super nice/pricey bikes if this is a one time thing, Rundle Mountain RV rentals already have nice bikes to choose from anyways. I recommend purchasing your rentals for the day rather than for an hour, prices start at $50 CAD depending on the bike.
Contact them beforehand for availability
403.971.2228
rv@canarockies.com
Address: You can park at the Canmore visitor center (5 min walk from bike rentals) 2801 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 3A2
Or park right at the rentals
1734 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta T1W 2X3 Canada
Need to know: Dress appropriately for the environment because the Alberta weather can change at anytime, bring bear spray, have enough water with you I recommend bringing 2 - 3L, you can always refill water when you’re in banff as well, 44 km isn’t the easiest for beginners so pack some snacks (simple sugars like fruit and bars also complex carbohydrates like a nice whole wheat sandwich) and electrolytes. Also if you’re like me who burns easily and gets absolutely destroyed by mosquitos make sure to apply a few coats of sunscreen and mosquito repellent beforehand!
Well that’s all for now folks! I hope you enjoyed some of these date ideas.
Was a good date?
Did you guys have fun?
Was it a bad time?
Let me know down below, I’d love to hear some feed back and maybe do another list of 5 dates in the future?
- Anthony