Yes! There will be no daytime closures or stoppages in the summer months!  You may have heard about highway construction set to begin just east of Golden.  This is the phase 4 Kicking Horse Canyon project and it will begin fall 2020.   The process will take 3-4 years but as part of the contract the highway has to remain open from May 15 to Sept 15, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.,  without closures or stoppages.  This is great news for all rafters and visitors travelling to Golden, BC!

Sure! We’d love to! Every day from mid-May to mid-September we run several whitewater rafting tours and kayak rentals. All of the tours we offer are based on river experiences, and all of our tours are guided. This means that you don’t need any prior experience. It helps if you are adventurous – but even that isn’t a prerequisite!

You can book in just yourself, or a group of any size, you don’t have to fill the boats or worry about even numbers – let us take care of that! Once you book in, we will send you a confirmation that goes over what to bring, what time to arrive, as well as a map to our office.  The confirmation will let you know that we are going to provide all your on river gear.

We always recommend locking in the dates for your whitewater rafting trip down the Kicking Horse River as soon as possible. The reason is, the Kicking Horse River run is extremely popular and our seats do fill up fast.  Many days are booked weeks in advance – especially if you’re hoping to come on a weekend.

• LONGER TRIP ON THE RIVER – We begin our day in Yoho National Park, and raft 4 kilometres more than other companies. For first-time rafters, this means extra time to get comfortable in the raft, learn the paddle strokes and commands from your guide without pressure. Did we also mention that this is one of the most beautiful stretches of the river? We offer the longest day on the river if you run all 3 sections of the river with our Heli Rafting trip!
• TRIP SELECTION – Alpine Rafting is proud to offer Inflatable Kayak Rentals and our Family Whitewater trip beginning in Yoho National Park. We also offer departure times ranging from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm.  And we offer Heli Rafting!
• BIGGEST RAPIDS IN BC & ALBERTA – For those of us who are 16 & up – the  heli rafting the lower canyon is a MUST do when rafting the Kicking Horse – 4 kilometres of continuous class 4+ is unheard of in commercial rafting.  This section is open July 15 onwards typically.
• QUALITY GEAR ON THE WATER – We invest in your comfort. From our neoprene jackets to neoprene boots, mitts, and wetsuits, we’ve put a lot of thought into your comfort. Our equipment is cutting edge.
• GREAT BBQ LUNCH – Private riverside lunch area where we serve: items hot off the BBQ, drinks and tasty treats.  Between the middle & lower canyon, we offer our clients a snack of cookies, granola bars, fruit and water to keep you hydrated!
• GREAT TEAM – It’s true, we’re not afraid to say it – you’ll have a great day out on the water with the Alpine Rafting Team. We are family owned and operated. Come say hello!

Whatever time of year you decide to raft, you will have a great time! The Kicking Horse is both Glacial Fed and Snow melt Fed, meaning the river has great water levels all summer long

• MAY – Great early season rafting, slightly cooler temps, great water levels. High water likely but you never know what mother nature has in store for us.
• JUNE – Warmer temps, great water levels, high water. Big Class 4+ rapids.
• JULY – Hot summer fun on the river, closer to the end of July, great time to raft the Middle Canyon.
• AUGUST – Emerald coloured water, clear days, Middle can will be experiencing fantastic conditions &  Class 3 – 4 rapids.  The Heli Rafting in the Lower Canyon is where the biggest rapids are.
• SEPTEMBER – Emerald coloured water, clear days, Middle Canyon still offers up Class 3+ thrills!

Get your friends and family together and save a bit of money.

Our discounts start at a group of eight guests, as eight people fill a raft.  It’s $10.00 off per person for a group of eight and the discounts go up in $5 increments from there for each boat you fill.

If it is a Stag/Stagette party the bride or groom rafts for free with 7 or more paying guests.  Same goes for a birthday party.

It really depends. Here is some help….

• HAVE NEVER RAFTED BEFORE, we recommend all of our trips. They are all suited to first-timers!
• ARE A FAMILY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, we recommend the Gentle Family Rafting.
• ARE ON A STAG/STAGETTE, we recommend the Full Day,  Full Day Raft & Camp, and Heli Rafting.
• WANT THE MOST COMPLETE RIVER EXPERIENCE, we recommend the Full Day Rafting or Heli Rafting.  The Lower Canyon is a very unique section of the river and you get to fly into it!
• WANT AN ‘ALL AROUND’ RIVER EXPERIENCE, we recommend the Full Day Rafting Trips, a great balance of the Upper and Middle Canyons, this is our most Classic River Experience.

We do have age and weight limits for our rafting trips.  Safety is always our number one priority and limits are based on size, weight and mental maturity.  Limits are also based on river association standards and liability.

For the Family Adventure the minimum age is 4 years old.

For the Full Day Discovery or Half Day Express the age limit is 12 years old and 90 lbs.

For the Heli Rafting trips the minimum age is 14 years old.

Sure! The best way to experience rafting is to actually go rafting but hopefully this video will be the next best thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laH8pOAx80A

Yes, we have a professional photographer who will take photos of you at some of the best spots on the river. They will also be at our lunch spot to grab some photos of you and your group.

Our guides are also equipped with GoPro cameras and they shoot video every trip.

You can view your photos and video back at our base at the end of the day.

You can bring a camera but it’s not recommended.  If you bring a camera make sure it’s waterproof, as it’s likely to get wet.  Hands free cameras such as GoPros are the best option (as you will be needing to paddle), but again it’s at your own risk.

People lose their cameras into the river every summer, so it’s safest to leave it behind.

The only thing you must bring is any medication you’ll need throughout the day.  We have a safe and dry spot on each raft to store all medication.

Yes, we do our best to see that you all get to raft together. Our rafts hold 8-10 people (depending on the trip you book), so if your group is larger than that, you’ll have to be split up into smaller groups. Our Head Guide is the logistical expert and we’ll try to get your group divided up the way you would like.  There are some days where it may not be entirely possible, due to things like water levels and safety concerns.

Yes!  If you know of one of our guides or have been with that guide before, we would love it if you requested a guide ahead of time.  We will do our very best to fulfill your request.  If you’re not sure which guide you would like, that is fine as well.  All of our guides are experienced, knowledgeable and fun.

Whitewater rafting is fun in any type of weather, provided you are properly dressed. We gear you up extremely well for your day out on the water so we can all have a great day!

We run rain or shine and rafting is the prefect rainy day activity – you’re going to get wet anyways!  We don’t allow any guests to change their trip date because of the weather.

This is common question that we receive. Our wetsuits come in an assortment of sizes.  Our maximum weight limit is approximately 300 lbs (136kg) due to safety reasons and the size of our gear.

You should book as soon as you know when you would like to raft. Weekends in July and August  always book up quickly, but midweek days in peak season tend to be popular, as well.  We recommend making a reservation as soon as you have a date in mind.

Once you have booked your rafting trip, we will send you a confirmation by email that goes over what to bring, what time to arrive, as well as a map to our base. All you need to bring is a bathing suit and a towel for afterwards.  We have change rooms and hot showers!  If you can please come with your swimsuit on underneath your clothes you’ll be able to get into your wetsuit beside your vehicle.

You can show up for your rafting trip in your regular clothes, but if possible please arrive in board shorts or with your swimsuit on underneath your clothes.  This gives you the flexibility to get into your wetsuit beside your vehicle.  We will have time to change at our base.

We will hand out and explain all other river gear to be worn on the rafting trip.

Access to the third & final section of the river – called the Lower Canyon – is accessible by helicopter only.  We offer heli rafting from mid July through to the start of September.  It is only offered on Saturdays and Wednesdays and you can select from our full day or half day trip options.

Check out our Kicking Horse River Heli Rafting Tours to learn more.

On your Gentle Family Rafting trip there is a riverside BBQ lunch included.

Everyone has the options of a hamburger, veggie burger, chicken burger or smokie (big hot dog). We’ll take your lunch order at the time of booking. If you want to change your order, that’s no problem at all, as long as we have at least 24 hours notice prior to your trip.

Because the Kicking Horse is a glacial fed river, we are going to provide you a wetsuit, neoprene boots, fleece sweater, spray jacket, life jacket and helmet.

We will ask you to bring a bathing suit and a towel. Please come with your swimsuit on underneath your clothes so you have the option to get into your wetsuit beside your vehicle.  There will also be a reminder of this in your confirmation document.

For families with children who are 12 years old and weigh 90 pounds or more, we recommend tackling the Full Day Rafting or Kicking Horse River Half Day Rafting

As we have seen from experience, kids 12 and 90 lbs are generally looking for a little more thrill than the Gentle Family Rafting provides.

Our Gentle Family Rafting adventure is 3.5 hours long.  A total of 1.5 hours of that is spent rafting.  You’ll cover a total of 14 kilometres on the river and there is a riverside BBQ lunch included. This tour starts at 9:15 a.m. (you must arrive by 9:00) and returns at approximately 1:00 p.m.

Our Gentle Family Rafting adventure is considered a fast paced float. It is geared towards families and folks who are interested in a day out in nature but don’t want to experience too much whitewater. What that means is – the water is moving at all times we are on the river. There are a few small rapids that may or may not lightly splash you and your family. You will get splashed but not soaked on this tour. If anyone in your group is 12 years old and 90 pounds, we would strongly recommend that you also consider rafting the middle canyon of the Kicking Horse River. The reason is children who meet the age and weight requirement but only raft the upper canyon often return disappointed, meaning they would have enjoyed more whitewater

Sure! We’d love to! Every day from mid-May to mid-September we run several whitewater rafting tours and kayak rentals. All of the tours we offer are based on river experiences, and all of our tours are guided. This means that you don’t need any prior experience. It helps if you are adventurous – but even that isn’t a prerequisite!

You can book in just yourself, or a group of any size, you don’t have to fill the boats or worry about even numbers – let us take care of that! Once you book in, we will send you a confirmation that goes over what to bring, what time to arrive, as well as a map to our office.  The confirmation will let you know that we are going to provide all your on river gear.

We always recommend locking in the dates for your whitewater rafting trip down the Kicking Horse River as soon as possible. The reason is, the Kicking Horse River run is extremely popular and our seats do fill up fast.  Many days are booked weeks in advance – especially if you’re hoping to come on a weekend.

Yes, we do fill up!  Our rafting season is from May – September.  Weekends are the busiest, but midweek is notorious for filling up in July and August. If you know when you would like to go, book, and you can make changes if necessary up to 1 week prior to your trip. We always say it is better to book and get your seats locked in with the possibility of changing, than it is to miss out because we are full.

This is a question we cannot answer. Please consult with your doctor and consider your decision carefully.

For a family with small children (ages 4 to 11) we recommend our Gentle Family Rafting Trip. For a family with children who are 12 and 90 pounds, we recommend our Full Day Rafting.  16 years of age, we recommend all our rafting trips, including heli rafting. Remember, our trips are flexible in that some family members may opt to continue on after the calmer sections to tackle bigger rapids, while the rest return to our office.

Yes this is possible! Our trips are flexible. For example, a family of four could depart for the Family Whitewater at 9:15 a.m.. All four would enjoy the upper canyon, and all would have lunch together. After lunch, the two older, or more adventurous members of the family could continue on and raft the bigger rapids of the afternoon (provided there is still space available). The two who are not continuing on would be shuttled back to our office.

There are risks involved with whitewater rafting so we cannot guarantee safety, but we always do our best.  Safety is our number one priority on the river.  Our Gentle Family Rafting trip is suitable for ages 4 & up and the rapids are gentle. If there are any concerns, please discuss them with us prior to booking, or with your guide prior to departure.

We use digital waivers so you will get a link to complete the waivers when you confirm your reservation.  This link can be forwarded on to the parents of the children you’re bringing.

You can VIEW AND READ THE WAIVER here, and also print one off if preferred.

If you show up with someone else’s child, the adult in the group will need to act and sign the waiver as the guardian of anyone under age, if their waiver hasn’t already been completed.

You can bring a camera but it’s not recommended.  If you bring a camera make sure it’s waterproof, as it’s likely to get wet.  Hands free cameras such as GoPros are the best option (as you will be needing to paddle), but again it’s at your own risk.

People lose their cameras into the river every summer, so it’s safest to leave it behind.

The only thing you must bring is any medication you’ll need throughout the day.  We have a safe and dry spot on each raft to store all medication.

Whitewater rafting is fun in any type of weather, provided you are properly dressed. We gear you up extremely well for your day out on the water so we can all have a great day!

We run rain or shine and rafting is the prefect rainy day activity – you’re going to get wet anyways!  We don’t allow any guests to change their trip date because of the weather.

This is common question that we receive. Our wetsuits come in an assortment of sizes.  Our maximum weight limit is approximately 300 lbs (136kg) due to safety reasons and the size of our gear.

You should book as soon as you know when you would like to raft. Weekends in July and August  always book up quickly, but midweek days in peak season tend to be popular, as well.  We recommend making a reservation as soon as you have a date in mind.

Absolutely! This is not a problem at all. No experience is required to go rafting as our guides will let you know exactly what you need to do. You will all get to travel in the same raft.

Sure! The best way to experience rafting is to actually go rafting but hopefully this video will be the next best thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laH8pOAx80A

You can bring a camera but it’s not recommended.  If you bring a camera make sure it’s waterproof, as it’s likely to get wet.  Hands free cameras such as GoPros are the best option (as you will be needing to paddle), but again it’s at your own risk.

People lose their cameras into the river every summer, so it’s safest to leave it behind.

The only thing you must bring is any medication you’ll need throughout the day.  We have a safe and dry spot on each raft to store all medication.

This is common question that we receive. Our wetsuits come in an assortment of sizes.  Our maximum weight limit is approximately 300 lbs (136kg) due to safety reasons and the size of our gear.

Unfortunately this is not a question we can answer.  It must be discussed with a doctor, and carefully considered by you.

Yes, you can, and we want you to do so. Each guide carries a dry bag onboard which he/she can place your medication in.

Yes, you may, however, please be aware that they may get damaged or fall off. If you have a pair of older glasses, we recommend wearing those. We also sell straps designed to hold your glasses on while whitewater rafting at our office, and cheap sunglasses if you want to shield your contacts.

This is a question we cannot answer. Please consult with your doctor and consider your decision carefully.

Yes you do.  All guests of Alpine Rafting have to read, agree to and sign a Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement prior to rafting.

You’ll receive an email to complete your waivers digitally when you create your reservation (if you reservation was made by someone else, they can forward you the link to the waiver).  The link can be forwarded to everyone in your group if needed as anyone 19 and older must sign their own.  Children under the age of 19 must be signed by a parent or guardian.  If you don’t complete your waiver ahead of time, there will be lots of time to read, agree to and sign when you arrive for your trip.  You can VIEW AND READ THE WAIVER here.

• Fair Prices

  Alpine Rafting offers very affordable whitewater rafting tours in the Canadian Rockies on the Kicking Horse River.  Fair pricing & value is what you’ll get on any and all of our adventures. As a family owned company we have always strived to keep our prices affordable.

• Free Rustic Riverside Camping 

  Alpine Rafting offers Rustic Riverside Camping free of charge to all of our guests. A beautiful 25 acre site along the banks of the Kicking Horse River. No quiet hours, more room to roam, and best of all – no fees!

• Awesome Put Ins & Take Outs  

  As one of the oldest operators, we have been able to secure the best put ins and take outs to access the river. This includes the put in for our Gentle Family Rafting & Full Day Rafting Tours. Exclusive access to whitewater rafting is what we have for you. If you’re planning on spending a day on the Kicking Horse, it’s well worth joining us and experiencing Yoho National Park in a way only Alpine guests get to do. This 4 km section of river also boasts 3 small rapids that are safe and thrilling for small children. The kids will love it. In addition, if we are going to see any wildlife throughout the day, it’s generally within Yoho National Park.

• Feast with Us 

  As one of the pioneers of rafting on the Kicking Horse River, we have maintained a beautiful riverside BBQ lunch area. Our Open concept area boasts plenty of sun and a constant breeze. We are very lucky to have a spacious area to host you and your friends for lunch. We offer the most varied meal options for meat lovers, vegetarians and now vegans!  Check out the menu 

• 10+years as a Five Star Attraction

  For us, word of mouth is paramount. If you have a great day – you’ll tell your friends. We don’t push for reviews – we invite honest, truthful reviews to be published organically, should you choose to 🙂  We are rated #2 on TripAdvisor for Whitewater Rafting on the Kicking Horse River as we let our customers review us – only if they choose to do so.  We’re thrilled to announce that in 2018 we are celebrating over 10 years as a 5 star attraction!

•  Family Friendly Fun

  Our Gentle Family Rafting is for ages 4 & up & includes Yoho National Park. It’s kid tested & family approved. With other outfitters, children must be at least 8 or 10 years of age, so families with small children, we have an affordably priced adventure for you!  The river environment is fascinating, filled with wonder and awe around every bend in the river. Fresh air, sunshine and a family bonding activity like whitewater rafting are all you need. Our Gentle Family Rafting Trip is sure to please!

• Lots of Choices

  We have the finest and most complete selection of river adventures.  From Heli Rafting to Kayak Rentals, we have something for everyone. Our passion for rivers – all rivers – is reflected in the quality and selection of tours we offer

• Heli Rafting – our Newest Adventure 

  We are pleased to offer Kicking Horse River Heli Rafting on the Kicking Horse River at the oh-so-affordable price of $269 Per Person. Alpine exclusively has a riverside heli area to begin your  Kicking Horse River Heli Rafting Adventure. The cool riverside is a great place to board a helicopter!

• Location, Location, Location  

  Looking for whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies? The Kicking Horse River is the premiere whitewater rafting destination in the Canadian Rockies. Alpine Rafting headquarters are also in Golden. Short bus rides to and from the river mean that we can minimize your discomfort and maximize your fun time. Companies travelling to the Kicking Horse River from Alberta do so with generally one hour each way of commuting.  Let’s leave the commuting back in the city, shall we? Coming in from Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, we promise the drive to Golden will not disappoint. In fact, you will gain the bonus attractions of visiting one of Canada’s oldest and most stunning National Parks – Yoho.

• Amazing Facilities & Gear 

  From our 2 acre reception area, to our fleet of rafts, we’ve spent the last 35 years honing it all just for you. In 2018 we are once again overhauling the gear you wear so that you are looking super sharp for all those photo ops! Alpine Rafting is our passion. We live & breathe rafting and like everything looking extra amazing for your arrival. Come check out our beautiful Golden, BC headquarters.

• Nationally Acclaimed Adventures

  In 2016 our Wapta Falls Wild & Scenic Tour was one of a few tours selected from across Canada to be a part of the Canadian Signature Experience Collection. These tours showcase the most unique tours in Canada. We are thrilled one of two rafting outfitters in all of British Columbia to have been designated this status

  “The Reasons you should join us are many – however, the most important reason is not something we can explain. That impalpable sense of wonder you get coming around the next bend  in the river, the surge of adrenaline when glacial water splashes you for the first time. The adventures we offer provide things we simply can’t put into words. Being on the river will excite & recharge you in ways you’ve never felt. Join our team this summer for your own little bit of river magic”

-Team Alpine

Rustic riverside camping is first-come, first-serve for rafting guests only. The camping area is 25 acres, so there is plenty of room for everyone. There are ‘sites’ in the forest and sites along the riverbank. The sites are not like sites you would find at a normal campground. They are not numbered, and you do not need to check in and be assigned a site. This means that how the site is when you arrive, is how it should be left when you leave. There is not a campground maintenance crew that goes around to do the cleanup. There is a centrally located garbage bin to place your garbage. For more information, please visit our Rustic Riverside Camping Info Page

If you need to change your plans, we ask that you give us as much notice as possible.  We can help re-schedule your trip, or issue a refund, depending on how much notice you’ve provided (please see our cancellation policy for the timeframe).  Changing dates is dependent on our availability and the trip you’ve booked.

We CANNOT make any changes to a reservation on the day of your trip.  No refunds or re-bookings will be made for day of changes, as you’ve committed to those seats.

You actually don’t need to round up anyone at all. If you are traveling alone, or in pairs, you can always book a trip! There is no minimum booking requirement. Our rafts hold between 8 to 10 people, so you will be partnered up with other rafters.

No problem, we get this one all the time! Simply give our office a phone call or email. We can create a booking for each member and send out payment requests. They will receive a link to our reservation system where they can securely enter their payment details.

Please note, though, that group discounts do not apply if everyone pays individually.

Yes, we do fill up!  Our rafting season is from May – September.  Weekends are the busiest, but midweek is notorious for filling up in July and August. If you know when you would like to go, book, and you can make changes if necessary up to 1 week prior to your trip. We always say it is better to book and get your seats locked in with the possibility of changing, than it is to miss out because we are full.

If you have to cancel your trip, the full amount is refundable (less a $20.00 per person processing fee) as long as we have a minimum of 72 hours notice prior to your trip date. If notice occurs within 72 hours, the full amount is non-refundable.

If you’re booking a group or eight or more people, our cancellation policy changes to require one week notice.

When you reserve your seats they are blocked off to everyone else, and all logistics are planned and staff scheduled. Because of this, if you cancel for any reason within 72 hours, please do not expect a refund.

In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a trip due to river safety concerns, we will re-schedule your trip if that works for you, or a full refund will be provided.

It’s easy, once you know what trip you’d like to take you just select your date in the calendar. Our online reservation system will walk you through the steps and will take your payment securely. This is how we confirm your seating and we’ll send you a confirmation email that goes over what to bring, what time to arrive, as well as a map to our office. Our trips fill up quickly so please book as soon as you have a date in mind.  You can book online up until 1 hour prior to the trip departure time (if we still have seats available), and can also call us if you want to inquire about making a last minute booking.

Whitewater rafting is fun in any type of weather, provided you are properly dressed. We gear you up extremely well for your day out on the water so we can all have a great day!

We run rain or shine and rafting is the prefect rainy day activity – you’re going to get wet anyways!  We don’t allow any guests to change their trip date because of the weather.

Advance notice of whether or not we’ll be rafting the lower canyon cannot be given, as many factors can change very quickly. The decision to raft the lower canyon is made the morning of the trip when we have the most recent information on water levels, weather etc. Please try to understand that river levels are completely up to Mother Nature and are not something we can control.

We hold the right to cancel a trip if water levels fluctuate to a level that makes it unsafe for us to raft on the Kicking Horse River. As water levels are completely dependent on Mother Nature, we may not know until the day before, or morning of the trip. This decision would be made entirely based on safety. If we cancel a trip for this reason a full refund will be given.

Yes, we need a minimum number of people for all heli trips. If those numbers are not met we will not be able to book the helicopter. If minimum numbers are not met you will not be charged for the third leg of your trip, or for the heli flight.  You don’t need to meet the minimum number yourself, if you’re coming with a smaller group we will combine you with other people interested in heli rafting on the same day

If you have to cancel your trip, the full amount is refundable (less a $20.00 per person processing fee) provided we are given at least 30 days notice prior to your trip. If notice occurs within 30 days of the trip a $100.00 per person deposit becomes non-refundable, and within 21 days of the trip the full amount is non-refundable.

No refunds will be given for heli trips cancelled within 21 days of your date, as we need to confirm the heli based on our minimum numbers being met.

Yes you will!  If we can’t raft the lower canyon due to high water you WILL STILL be flying in the helicopter. The heli will fly you back up the canyon to raft the second lap of the middle. The flying time is the same for both trips. If you’ve booked a heli trip you will be flying – you DO NOT have the option downgrade your trip day of.

Yes. The Kicking Horse lower canyon can only be run at specific water levels, and it will be closed at certain times throughout the summer when the water becomes too high for us to safely run it. June and early July tend to be when we see the highest water. When this occurs, we run the middle whitewater section twice. Not to worry though – at high water, the middle canyon is as good as it gets!