Whitewater Rafting | Family Rafting |Kootenay River Runners

Kicking Horse Classic Trip

This trip, covering a distance of 20 Km, starts at our Kicking Horse River Basecamp located just west of Yoho National Park Boundary, 24 Km east of Golden. The Basecamp is easily accessible from Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Golden, Radium Hot Springs and the Columbia Valley (See Location for directions).

In the upper and middle canyons, you'll start out slowly, then pick up until you're getting drenched in continuous class III to IV rapids .You won't forget Portage, Shotgun, Last Waltz and all the other rapids along the way. It's a great trip for the first time rafter or the seasoned veteran.

For even more whitewater, you can add on the Lower Canyon section and enjoy a long class IV section of extraordinary whitewater.

Kicking Horse Ultimate Trip

Raft every rapid the Kicking Horse has to offer! Add on the Lower Canyon section to the noon Upper River trip. It takes approximately another 1.5 hours to raft this section (time includes portage by road, etc.). This trip ends near the town of Golden, and we drive you back to the Base Camp afterwards.

Click here for directions

Kicking Horse Classic Times and Prices

09:30 A.M. at the KICKING HORSE BASECAMP, Cost: $97.00 with Barbecue Lunch, $87.00 without Lunch
12:00 P.M. at the KICKING HORSE BASECAMP, Cost: $97.00 with Barbecue Lunch, $87.00 without Lunch

Minimum Age: 12 years
Minimum Weight: 90 pounds

Kicking Horse Ultimate Times and Prices

12:00 P.M. at the KICKING HORSE BASECAMP, Cost: $145

Minimum Age: 16 years

(Prices do not include $3 river access permit fee or 5% GST)

A TRIP ON THE KICKING HORSE RIVER...

Upon arrival you will be greeted by our guides at our private launch site on the shores of the river. Once you've finished all your paperwork it's time for our famous Whitewater Barbecue Lunch in our new log pavilion. Then it's time to get down to business. There will be an informative and entertaining safety talk to prepare you for your day of rafting and to explain how to use your gear.

Your spectacular day on the river begins in the Upper Kicking Horse where there's time to practice all the commands that your guide will teach you. The river flows gently at first, giving the guides time to know his crew, and the crew time to get comfortable in the raft.

Waves build as the canyon begins to narrow, and the rapids of the mighty Middle Kicking Horse River begin. Your twenty kilometer trip will serve up whitewater from Class II to IV! Rapids like Portage, Shotgun, Roller Coaster, Twin Towers and Last Waltz are what make the Kicking Horse the best whitewater trip In the Rockies. And with experienced and talented guides at the helm of each boat you will ride the exciting whitewater and feel the power of the mighty Kicking Horse River!

tHE kICKING hORSE

When you are finished it's a quick ride back to our Kicking Horse Base Camp where full our fully serviced change rooms makes getting changed into dry clothes a breeze!

KICKING HORSE BARBECUE

We serve Lunch after the 9:30 trip and before the 12:00 trip. Kick back and enjoy a delicious barbecue steak in the comfort of our large covered "deck with a view" and soak in the majestic skyline of Yoho National Park. (Vegetarian alternative available.)

Or you can skip lunch and meet us just before the rafting starts. It's your choice!

WE SUPPLY

Sweater
Wet Suit
Live Jacket
Spray Jacket
Helmet
Gloves
Wet Suit Booties
Licensed Professional Guides
Professional Photographer
On-Site Private Facility (Kicking Horse Base Camp)

PLEASE BRING

Bathing suit (you'll wear it under your wet suit)
T-shirt (you'll wear it under your wet suit)
Towel

PLEASE LEAVE BEHIND

Jewelry and Valuables
Cameras (unless waterproof)

Kicking Horse River

Safety and Experience Count!

At Kootenay River Runners our focus is safety and quality, and our record speaks for us. Our guides come back year after year. They are Trip Leaders with years of whitewater experience, and they are all certified in swift water rescue and wilderness first aid. They are knowledgeable about the area and are passionate about what they do. We know that they well make your river experience unforgettable.

WE'RE FAMOUS! Kootenay river runners made the first descent of the Kicking Horse river in 1980 (See the Golden Star, Wednesday May 21, 1980) and we knew we were on to something great! Since that day we have taken over 70,000 people down the Kicking Horse River, and thousands more on our other rivers. Spend a day with us and you'll understand what makes us so passionate about our jobs! Spend a day with us and we're sure you'll be back again for more whitewater thrills!

Click here for FAQ's on the Kicking Horse River

"To the staff of the Kootenay River Runners,

We just wanted to say thanks for an awesome time (June25th). Everyone was great. Jeremy, thanks for an incredible adventure on the river. One that we won't forget. We'll make sure we spread the word that the "Kootenay River Runners" is the only way to go.

Hope to see you guys next year."
Nathalie and Jacqueline

"I wanted to let you know that our family had a blast on the Kicking Horse! Our guide, Karin, was fantastic. I was very nervous of the adventure, but I wanted to celebrate my husband's 60 the birthday with our boys doing something memorable. We all had a great time and I look forward to next summer adding the lower canyon and more class IV rapids. The photo turned out amazing with lots of beautiful smiles."

Thanks again,
Barbara

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