White Water Rafting

The most popular daily Alberta / British Columbia rafting trips are available from mid-May to mid-September and we have trips designed for first-timers, experienced rafters and nature-loving families. For rafting trips in Banff, and rafting trips in Lake Louise, we only recommend Wild Water Rafting www.wildwater.com

Choose from a variety of exciting white water rafting trips and milder river journeys. River rafting trips range from our popular daily half-day rafting trips, our full day rafting tripss, or our gentle rafting trips.

After your whitewater rafting adventure, you can enjoy the comfort, warmth and security of our RiverBase day lodge. Your professional, friendly rafting guides are here to ensure you have a fun and secure trip. You’ll be provided clean and dry quality equipment, delicious food and unforgettable whitewater rafting near Lake Louise. Wild Water should be your choice for British Columbia rafting in the Canadian Rockies.

 

Whitewater Exciter Class II to IV+   – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
(Morning and Afternoon departures) – Minimum Age: 12 years old and 90 lbs (44 kg)

Our flagship trip since 1992, over 90,000 rafters have enjoyed this exceptional stretch of whitewater on the KickingHorseRiver that is offered twice daily. You’ll experience over 14 sets of named rapids during your 1½ hrs. of fun on the river. (The whole trip, “greetings” to “goodbyes”, takes about 3 to 3 ½ hours.) The named rapids range from class II (easy, fun) to class IV (very splashy, challenging and wet!) and there is plenty of fast moving water and smaller waves to enjoy while you float through breathtaking scenery and past towering canyon walls.

There are numerous rapids, such as, “Roller Coaster”, “Hopi Hole”, “Goat Rapid” and “Twin Peaks” that are certain to leave you with big smiles. The most famous rapid is known throughout the area . . . the “Portage” and “Shotgun” rapids! (Cue dramatic music!) Long, continuous, quick and tricky, this section of river is, without question, the most popular and memorable section of true class IV to IV+ rafting in the Alberta area.

At the rafting trip’s end, back in your own dry clothes, hair dried and adrenalin levels back to normal, you’ll share cookies, fresh fruit, hot and cold beverages on our spacious deck overlooking the KickingHorseRiver valley with your river rafting guides and fellow adventurers and exchange your tales of the day.

 

The Tradition Class II to IV+

Minimum Age: 12 years old and 90lbs (44kg)

If you’ve got more time for the river, then “The Tradition” is for you. This traditional Kicking Horse River trip combines the beauty and peaceful upper section of the river with the more exciting rapids found in our Whitewater Exciter half day trip . . . plus you’ll enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch served back at our RiverBase following the trip.

Your trip begins at our RiverBase Daylodge, the “hub” of our operations where all our trips meet. Your guides for the day will introduce themselves to you and lead you through the gear room to get you properly outfitted for your day on the river. A quick shuttle to where the boats are waiting, a thorough safety briefing, and we’re off!

First, we’ll make sure you’re awake by crashing through the playful waves at the “Alarm Clock” rapid. Then we’ll enjoy the peaceful float as we make our way through YohoNational Park. (We are one of only two companies to operate on this pristine section of river!). This is a great time to learn about the river, its history . . . and perhaps engage a rival raft in a water fight! The second part of this trip is where the action REALLY happens. In just 12kms (9 miles) you’ll experience 14 sets of thrilling whitewater rapids ranging from class II to IV+.

In all, you’ll enjoy over 24kms (15 miles) of spectacular whitewater and magnificent scenery.

Back at our RiverBase, our catering team will have fired up the barbecue and have waiting for you your choice of a succulent marinated chicken breast or a tasty vegetarian burger, complete with lettuce, tomato slices and all the condiments. Fresh French rolls, Caesar and Potato salads, chips, fresh baked cookies, fruit and other bakery treats round out this satisfying reward after your rafting trip!

After your goodbyes to the crew, you may wish to stop into our River’s Edge gift shop to take away some souvenirs or order the digital photo CD taken of you in action . . . bragging rights of a great day on the river!

Gentle Rafting Trip Class I to III

Minimum age: 8 years old

For the family or those seeking a milder river experience (sometimes known as “reluctant rafters”), this trip is ideal! Starting inside of YohoNational Park, enjoy the “float less traveled”.

But, it’s not all gentle and calm. In fact, there are six excellent rapids from class II to III to splash or soak you during the 1½ hour journey. “The Alarm Clock” rapid (sure to wake you up!) is just moments after pushing off shore, and “Hopi Hole” will dowse the crew!

You’ll marvel at the scenery while your MPHIA (Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretaion Association) Certified guide tells you tales of the area, it’s early explorers, what they searched for . . . and what they found!

As with all our trips, you’ll start at our RiverBase Daylodge by taking our bus from Lake Louise or following our self-drive map and traveling at your own pace to the RiverBase. You’ll be outfitted with the appropriate gear to keep you comfortable while rafting, receive a thorough safety briefing, and be shuttled to the starting point inside of YohoNational Park where the rafts are ready and waiting for your arrival.

You will be on the river for about 1½ hours through splashing rapids mixed with periods of calm and peaceful floating as the river carries us past the pine, spruce and fir forests that line the river. At trip’s end, enjoy fresh fruit, cookies and hot and cold beverages back at the RiverBase after having changed into dry clothes—A perfect end to a perfect trip on the KickingHorseRiver.

Maximum Horse Power Class II – IV+

This rafting trip is best suited for those with prior rafting experience and participants must be over the age of 16.

When ONLY the best and most exciting will satisfy your adrenalin “fix,” this “Best of the Kicking Horse” whitewater experience will be your choice! Your trip begins at our RiverBase daylodge, where you’ll be greeted by your cheerful, professional guides upon your arrival.

Then, you’ll be fitted and outfitted with all the dry, clean and comfortable equipment you’ll need for your trip. A short shuttle down to the river gets us to where your raft awaits. A good, thorough briefing and then we’re off. The first portion of this trip is essentially our Whitewater Exciter trip, with 14 rapids ranging to class IV and plenty of great rafting action! You’ll cover approx. 12kms. (8 mi.) of river on this section. But, hey, remember this is just the warm-up for you “thrill seekers”!

We’ll stop and portage around a non-navigable section of river and then enter the exciting LowerCanyon of the Kicking Horse. This section of river offers one of the longest, sustained class IV to IV+ sections of whitewater in western Canada and is a ride not soon forgotten. Rapids such as “Double Trouble”, “Town House Rock” and “The Nozzle” will provide severe soakings and perma-smiles! This section of river ends in the town of Golden after a total of 22 spine-tingling kilometres!