BC and ALBERTA, CANADA – Great new memories are yours for the taking here in Alberta and British Columbia on the Kicking Horse River, and our team at Banff Whitewater Rafting wants to help you capture them with your whole family. Enjoy a Banff whitewater rafting trip with as many family members as possible.

The most popular family outings are on our Whitewater Exciter and our Gentle rafting trip. They run at the same time but on different sections of the Kicking Horse River, so these Canadian rafting trips are perfect for your family’s adventure vacation.

Group discounts of 10% begin with eight rafters, and they don’t have to be on the same whitewater rafting trip as long as they come on the same day. Let us help you create memorable moments with your family on a Banff rafting tour.

There are lots of ways to make your Banff whitewater trip unique:

• Want private rafting? Try our new “Buy Your Own Boatload” (B.Y.O.B.) program.
• Make this trip even more exciting with our “Smaller Rafts, Bigger Fun” program . . . a Banff Whitewater Rafting exclusive!
• Have a children’s party to plan? Make it his or her best ever with our “Birthday Splash” package.

By Rob Moses/Senior Writer
ALBERTA and BC, CANADA – If you’re planning a wedding or honeymoon in the Alberta, Canada area, don’t forget to make time for a fun diversion before or after the big day. Exciting Canadian whitewater rafting trips are a great way to celebrate this special occasion with groups of friends or family.

Brides or grooms (or even both, depending on the numbers) can receive discounts or even free whitewater rafting trips, starting at as few as four people.

The most popular Banff rafting trips for weddings are usually the Whitewater Exciter (a real bang for your buck), or the Traditional Day Trip if you have more time to enjoy the river and group time afterwards. Feel free to bring along your own adult beverages to enjoy back at our private RiverBase after the rafting is done.

• Four people: Bride or Groom enjoys a 25% discount.
• Eight people: Bride or Groom goes FREE.
• Sixteen people: Bride AND Groom go FREE, or, if only one, the rest of the group enjoys a 10% discount.
• More than sixteen? Call us for great rates!

You can customize this trip even further!

• Want private rafting? Try our new “Buy Your Own Boatload” (B.Y.O.B.) program.
• Make this trip even more exciting with our “Smaller Rafts, Bigger Fun” program . . . a Banff Whitewater Rafting exclusive!

Make your wedding or your honeymoon a special experience–book Banff Whitewater Rafting today!

By Rob Moses/Senior Writer

ALBERTA and BC, CANADA – Want to go whitewater rafting in Canada’s beautiful Alberta and British Columbia, but you don’t know where to start on organizing a trip for your group? Let us do the heavy lifting for the planning of your corporate or social outing, and together we’ll create a memorable whitewater tour of Banff, Canada. Uniquely special memories are created when a group of co-workers, or even good friends, share the one-of-a-kind bonding experience that is Canadian rafting.

Great discount group rafting rates are available for eight or more rafters. Just contact us for details, and get ready to plan your Banff Whitewater Rafting trip to Alberta and British Columbia!

NEW FOR 2012 – “Calgary Corporate Play Day”

Be a hero to your team at work, and let us take care of the details. This trip will leave your staff invigorated and ready to produce big results back at the office. With our “Calgary Corporate Play Day,” we’ll pick your group up in the city of Calgary, Alberta, drive them to our RiverBase, provide an incredible day of whitewater rafting on our Classic Day Trip, whip on a delicious barbecue lunch and have your staff back home by 5 p.m. For just $139 per person (plus tax) for groups of 25 or more, and $149 per person (plus tax) for groups of 16 to 24. This is the best Banff whitewater rafting trip that you will find, tailored specifically to your team.

Company Whitewater Rafting Trips and Staff Rewards

We know you need your Banff whitewater rafting event to be unique, memorable and professionally delivered. Here’s how we’ll deliver that experience to you and your staff:

• Custom rafting trip itineraries and departure times.
• Private trips for your group. (minimum numbers required.)
• Unique Heli-rafting trips.
• “White Linen” riverside buffets.
• Charter transportation options from Calgary and other locations.

Our most popular rafting trips with groups? Our The Traditional Day Trip or our Whitewater Exciter.

But wait! You can customize your trip even further:

• Want private rafting? Try our new “Buy Your Own Boatload” (B.Y.O.B.) program.
• Make this trip even more exciting with our “Smaller Rafts, Bigger Fun” program.

And don’t worry if there are some reluctant rafters in your group who may be hesitant to join in the fun. It’s a common occurance in large group outings to the whitewaters of Alberta and British Columbia, but our experienced guides will soon put everyone at ease so that fun can be had by all!

BC and ALBERTA, CANADA – Enjoy two incedible days of whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies, on the best rivers in Alberta and British Columbia. These packages offer Banff rafting experiences on the Kicking Horse River that are second to none, and provide a great vacation value.

You can choose the Banff whitewater trip you prefer, either our PREMIUM rafting package or our ELITE rafting package, whichever suits your level of adventure and budget. Then choose to stay in our luxurious cabins or embark on a rustic camping trip, and you will have tailored your own unique Kicking Horse River rafting vacation.

Premium Rafting Package

It’s the ideal trip for whitewater rafters seeking an enjoyable river experience, want the best value or have rafters under the age of 16.

Class II to IV

Day 1: 2 p.m. – After meeting at our RiverBase, guides will greet you and get you outfitted with your personal rafting gear for the trip. We’ll head over to Banff Whitewater Rafting’s exclusive entry point to the Kicking Horse River, and after safety instructions and demonstrations, we’ll famous Canadian river known for its world-class rapids. After enjoying delicious post-rapids snacks at our RiverBase, the evening in the Canadian Rockies is yours to enjoy. Choose to go for a hike, relax with a book or visit the mountain town of Golden. The time is yours to enjoy in your cabin or at your campsite with friends and family, near sizzling barbecue and under the star-filled mountain sky.

Day 2: 8:45 a.m. – We meet at the RiverBase and then start our Canadian rafting trip up higher on the river to enjoy the scenery as we float through Yoho National Park. As an extra challenge, today we tackle the river with an “all-paddle” format, meaning that teamwork is extra important to make it through the 16 sets of rapids that range from class II to IV. After a delicious BBQ lunch back at our RiverBase, you’ll share goodbyes with our staff and head on your way, hopefully brainstorming about how quickly you can make it back to Alberta and British Columbia for your next whitewater vacation with Banff Whitewater Rafting.

Available: any two consecutive days throughout the summer operating season.

What is included:

• All rafting equipment
• Transportation to and from our RiverBase
• Light refreshments on Day 1; great barbecue lunch on Day 2
• FREE TRIP PHOTOS! ($20 value)

Elite Package

For those seeking the most exciting Canadian whitewater rafting possible, this trip is a must.

Class II to IV+

Day 1: 8:45 a.m. – We meet at the RiverBase to get all the gear you need for the first of two thrilling days on the Kicking Horse River. You’ll meet our rafting guides, grab your river and safety gear and board the shuttle that takes you into Yoho National Park, where we start by enjoying the scenery and some small introductory rapids. Your whitewater rafting anticipation will build as we enter the class middle section of the Kicking Horse River, where crashing waves and rollercoaster wave trains will thrill and soak you to the bone. After a fresh barbecue lunch back at our RiverBase, you’ll be free to explore the Banff area on your own. The town of Golden is just 20 minutes away, or you can hike into awesome Wapta Falls, “The Niagra of the Canadian Rockies.”

Day 2: We’ll meet at the RiverBase at 2 p.m. Once on the water, we’ll take on not only the famous “Portage” and “Shotgun” rapids for a second round, but will venture into Canada’s challenging “Lower Canyon” region, and it’s famously consistent class IV and IV+ whitewater rapids. With only your appetite now larger than the smile on your face, we’ll head back to the RiverBase for some food to end a truly memorable two days of rafting on Canada’s world-renowned Kicking Horse River.

Available: Tuesday/Wednesday and Friday/Saturday from early July to late August.

What is included:

• All rafting equipment
• Transportation to and from our RiverBase
• Lunch on Day 1
• FREE TRIP PHOTOS!

BC and ALBERTA, CANADA – Canadian whitewater rafting trips through Banff National Park are an amazing ways to spend one or multiple days. You’ll find Alberta and British Columbia rafting trip options below that are tailored to beginners, advanced rafters and everyone in between!

Whitewater Exciter Class II to IV+ – (Morning and Afternoon departures)

Our main trip since 1992, more than 90,000 rafters have enjoyed this exceptional stretch of Canadian whitewater on the Kicking Horse River that we offer twice daily. Perfect for ages 12 to . . . well . . . our current record is 88! Not too long and not too short, it has satisfied Canadian Rockies visitors for nearly two decades. This Banff rafting trip has everything to please visitors, whether it’s their first or twentieth trip.

Rafters meet at our RiverBase Daylodge, arriving either by car or our bus from Lake Louise. There is plenty of secure parking on site.

Once there, your team of professional Canadian rafting guides will help you get fitted for all the necessary Canada rafting equipment, provided to you clean, dry and free for the trip. They’ll offer easy-to-understand safety instructions and teach you techniques for proper seating and paddling.

More than 14 sets of named rapids lie ahead during the next 1.5 hours of fun on this river (the entire trip takes about 3 to 3.5 hours). Named rapids range from class II (easy and fun) to class IV (very splashy, challenging and wet), with a wealth of fast-moving water and small waves for you to enjoy in between while floating past gorgeous scenery and towering canyon walls.

Battling through rapids like “Roller Coaster,” “Hopi Hole,” “Goat Rapid” and “Twin Peaks” are sure to leave you grinning from ear to ear. And the most famous Alberta whitewater rapid, nows as the “Portage” and “Shotgun” rapids, are long, continuous, quick and unpredictable, offering a truly memorable Canadian rafting experience for class IV to IV+ rafting.

Once your Banff rafting trip is over, we’ll get you back in your dry clothes, with hair dried and adrenalin levels back to normal, and you’ll share sweets, fresh fruit and drinks on our glorious deck that overlooks the Kicking Horse River Valley. Your guides and fellow rafters will trade memorable stories from the day, and may even use the time to start planning their next trip to Alberta and British Columbia.

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

• Want private rafting? Try our new “Buy Your Own Boatload” (B.Y.O.B.) program.
• Make this trip even more exciting with our “Smaller Rafts, Bigger Fun” program!

The Tradition Class II to IV+

If you have more time to share, then Banff Whitewater Rafting‘s “The Tradition” is the right choice. This classic Kicking Horse River trip brings together beauty and a peaceful upper seciton of the river, with more exciting rapids included in our Whitewater Exciter half-day trip. A delicious barbecue lunch is served back at the RiverBase following the trip.

You begin the day at RiverBase Daylodge, where your Canadian rafting guides will introduce themselves and lead you through the gear room to get you properly outfitted for your day on the river. A quick shuttle delivers you to the waiting boats, a thorough safety briefing follows and then we’re off!

We make sure you’re awake at first by crashing through the playful waves of the “Alarm Clock” rapid. After that, you’ll enjoy a serene float as we make our way through Yoho National Park. Banff Whitewater Rafting is one of just two companies that is allowed to operate in this pristine section of river.

Whitewater rafting action comes at you full-force next, with 14 sets of thrilling rapids to follow during the next 12 km (9 miles), all ranging from class II to IV+. In all, you’ll enjoy more than 24 km (15 miles) of incredible Canadian whitewater and picturesque scenery.

Back at the RiverBase, our catering team has fired up the grill to prepare your choice of juicy marinated chicken breast or a rich vegetarian burger, complete with the trimmings of lettuce, tomato slices and all the condiments imaginable. Fresh French rolls, caesar and potato salads, chips, fresh-baked cookies, fruit and other bakery treats complete this satisfying reward after your rafting trip.

After you share goodbyes with our crew, you may be drawn towards our River’s Edge Gift Shop, where a wide variety of souvenirs are on display, and orders can be made for a digital photo CD with actions shots of your day of Banff whitewater rafting.

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

• Want private rafting? Try our new “Buy Your Own Boatload” (B.Y.O.B.) program.
• Make this trip even more exciting with our “Smaller Rafts, Bigger Fun” program!

Gentle Rafting Trip Class I to III

For families or aspiring rafters looking for a milder whitewater experience, this is the perfect trip. Start inside the Yoho National Park and enjoy “the float less traveled.”

Six excellent rapids from class II to III mean this isn’t a Canadian rafting trip that ‘s all gentle and calm. You’ll be splashed and saoked during the 1.5 hour journey. Banff’s popular “Alarm Clock” rapid will surely wake you up just moments after pushing off the shore, and “Hopi Hole” will likely drench you and your crew.

Marvel at the scenery while your MPHIA (Moutain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association certified-guide shares historic stories of the area, early explorers who put it on the map, what drew them there in the first place and what they discovered on the same waters you’re floating on at that very moment.

Like all our trips, you start the day at our RiverBase Daylodge by taking our bus from Lake Louise or using our self-drive map with your own vehicle. Guides will outfit you with all the appropriate rafting gear, give you a thorough safety briefing, and shuttle you to the starting point inside Yoho National Park, where our specialty rafts await.

You’ll spend about 1.5 hours on this Canadian river through splashing rapids that are mixed with periods of calm, peaceful floating past pine, spruce and fir forests that line the shore. At trip’s end, enjoy fresh fruit, cookies and drinks back at the RiverBase after changing into dry clothes. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day on Canada’s Kicking Horse River.

Minimum age: 8 years old

• Want private rafting? Try our new “Buy Your Own Boatload” (B.Y.O.B.) program.
• Have a children’s party to plan? Make it his or her best ever with our “Birthday Splash” package.

Maximum Horse Power Class II – IV+

When your adrenaline fix can only be satisfied by the most exciting, challenging whitewater rapids out there, this Banff rafting experience offers you the best of the Kicking Horse River.

You begin the day at our RiverBase Daylodge, where our upbeat, professional guides get you upon arrival. You’ll be fitted with all the necessary equipment you’ll need for the day of BC rafting, and a short shuttle down to the river delivers you to our waiting rafts.

With a thorough briefing provided to rafters, we’re off down the first portion of the trip, our Whitewater Exciter stretch of 14 rapids ranging up to class IV. You’ll cover approx. 12 km (8 miles) of Canadian river on this section, but remember this is just a warm-up for you whitewater rafting thrill-seekers.

Your group will stop and portage around a non-navigable section of river, and then enter the exciting Lower Canyon of the Kicking Horse River. This section offers one of the longest continuous stretches of class IV to IV+ whitewater rafting in western Canada. Rapids like “Double Trouble,” “Town House Rock” and “The Nozzle” will provide you with a severe soak and perma-smile. This section of river ends in the town of Golden, after a total of 22 thrilling kilometers.

This Canadian rafting trip is best suited for whitewater rafters with prior experience, and participates must be over the age of 16.

Planning a special kind of outing? Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, or just a weekend getaway with friends, we can provide you the Banff whitewater experience you’re looking for.

• Multi-Day Banff Rafting Trips

• Corporate, Specialty and Adventure Group Trips

• Stags, and Wedding Groups Rafting Trips

• Family Outings and Reunion Rafting Trips

What if it rains before our Banff rafting trip?
Actually, rafting in the rain can be a lot of fun. You are going to get wet anyway! Our trips run on schedule every day, rain or shine.

What if I need to cancel my rafting trip?
Sometimes your plans may change or unavoidable situations arise that necessitate having to cancel or change your vacation plans, and we understand that. We provide you with a generous 24-hour cancellation policy for individual bookings, and 7 days for groups of 8 or more.

However, please understand that once your Banff rafting trip is booked we reserve your space, assign staff and resources to ensure your trip runs smoothly. Since few of these costs are recoverable at the last minute, cancellations inside of 24 hours (7 days for groups of 8 or more) of your scheduled trip departure are non-refundable and you will be fully charged.

In the unlikely event that Banff Whitewater Rafting must cancel a trip, full refunds or alternate dates will be given.

Half-day trips in Banff: (Whitewater Exciter and Gentle trips)
At the conclusion of the trip, enjoy tasty bakery treats, fresh fruit served with fresh brewed coffee, tea, rich hot chocolate or juice.

Full-day trip on the Kicking Horse River: (The Tradition trip and Maximum Horse Power ($15 option) trips)
A delicious lunch is served at the conclusion of The Tradition trip back at our comfortable RiverBase once you are dry and back into your warm clothes. Choose from a succulent marinated chicken breast, wild salmon burger or vegetarian burger option, barbecued and served with fresh baked french bread, assorted salads, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, fresh fruit and hot and cold beverages. You’ll enjoy lunch ($15 option) prior to going on the water on the Maximum Horse Power trip and light refreshments at trip’s conclusion.

I’m not a strong swimmer, or I can’t swim. Should I come to Banff?
Swimming ability is recommended and good health is required. It is your choice to come if you are a weak or non-swimmer and we have many visitors like that each year.

Will I fall out of the raft?
With an adventure activity such as whitewater rafting, there is always a chance that you may fall into the river. Here’s what we do to minimize that risk:

First, you can hang on to our safety lines positioned around the raft. Unlike others, we use a guiding system so that our guests can securely hold on and “get down” when the guide feels it’s necessary, but they can still steer the raft. (It’s technically called a “center-mount oar rig,” we’ve found it’s the best – two oars are better than just one paddle). Our guests can still paddle (four on every raft), but they don’t have to when we get to the big rapids. That’s the difference, and that’s when people typically may fall out of the raft.

Second, our safety briefings and demonstrations are clear, concise and thorough. We don’t rush through this just to get you on the Kicking Horse River. We want you to be prepared.

Why do you have minimum ages or weights (or both) for your trips?
Weight minimums are dictated by the manufacturers of our life jackets for use in Canadian whitewater rapids. Age minimums are either the industry standard of care or from our many years of experience and tens of thousands who have been rafting with us in Banff, Alberta.

What gear will you provide for me in Banff?
Warmth, comfort and security, that’s what you want! You’ll receive quality wetsuits, neoprene booties and gloves, warm fleece pullovers and spray jackets all included in the total price, and, of course, government-approved life jackets and helmets. Our gear is cleaned and DRIED daily, and replaced or upgraded frequently.

What do I bring to Banff?
Not much, really! We’ll take care of most of it. Just bring your swimsuit (having it on ahead of time is helpful), dress appropriately for the day of whitewater rafting and bring a towel. You may want to purchase some souvenirs or photos, so plan for that.

Where can we change clothes?
Our RiverBase Daylodge was purpose built for our Banff rafting trips with REAL change rooms and washrooms. Your personal items remain dry and secure while you are having a good time on the Kicking Horse River. You’ll never have to change in the bushes, alongside the river, or under tarps, that’s for sure!

I tend to get cold easily!
Our guests who are “thermally challenged” find that the gear works extremely well to keep them warm, but we won’t kid you … the mountain water of the Kicking Horse River is refreshing! That’s why we work very hard to keep you warm and upright inside the raft!

Can we buy pictures?
Yes, we offer a “same day” digital photo service. We want you to have the bragging rights readily available to show your friends, family and workmates who didn’t come with you on this Canadian rafting trip!

Can we bring cameras?
You should leave them behind and not risk getting your camera ruined on the Kicking Horse River. You can take some “before and after” photos outside of the river. If it’s waterproof, then bring it along! We also have disposable waterproof cameras available for sale at our “Rivers Edge” gift shop.

Should I go whitewater rafting in Banff? I’ve never been!
It’s important for you to know that most of our guests are first-timers and we’ve designed our Banff rafting trips, equipment and safety briefings to be “first-timer friendly.” All we require is that you have a good desire for fun and adventure and you’ll have a terrific time, and likely be back to Alberta for more!

I’ve been rafting before, will it be exciting enough for me?
The Kicking Horse River is a class IV to IV+ river through most of our operating season. If you’ve been rafting before, but never on the Kicking Horse, you’ll be impressed by the continuity of the river – lots of rapids and very little “calm time.”

Also, unlike other rivers, no paddling is required to get from one rapid to the next! If you’ve been rafting before, we want to make sure you get the right trip in Banff, so just contact us.

Why choose Rockies River Rafting?
Excellent question and we’re glad you asked! The Kicking Horse River is renowned as a great Canadian river for rafting and, of course, there are other companies that run the river. While fun on the river is always what we strive for, we believe there is more to great whitewater rafting than just that. You should know that we are “Serious about Safety.” (See our “Guides” section below.) You want your trip to run on schedule, be greeted with friendly, happy, helpful and knowledgeable staff and get great value on your Canadian rafting trip. That’s what we’re known for. We know that you want clean gear that gets replaced and upgraded frequently, clean facilities and a secure place for your personal items while on the Kicking Horse River. You’ll get that from us, just the way that we’ve been doing it now for over 19 years. It’s what we love to do and how we earned the trust and loyalty of our many return guests, sales agents, wholesalers, tour operators, fine hoteliers and locals who faithfully recommend our Banff rafting trips year after year and wouldn’t consider anyone else.

Who will be my Banff rafting guide?

Our staff are truly the key to our past and future success. Our guiding and driving team are MPHIA Certified (Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Assn.) so they know their way around the region like the back of their hand! The team consists of men and women who possess a wealth of experience from numerous years of Canadian rafting and leading a variety of outdoor pursuits around the world. Check out these stats: Combined, we have professionally guided whitewater rafting trips on nearly every continent, 22 countries, 118 rivers, and enough river miles to lap the globe TWICE at the equator! That’s a lot of whitewater river guiding and risk management experience for you to benefit from, don’t you think? We generally require a minimum of three to five seasons of prior rafting experience before we see if new guides are up to our standards in Banff, Alberta. Our guests constantly comment that they love our guides’ enthusiasm and cheerfulness for what they do, and the professionalism with which they do it. We love Canadian rivers and rafting and we are in business to share that passion with you!

Of course, all of our guides meet or exceed industry standards and we have ongoing in-house training and safety meetings throughout the season to constantly maintain and improve our skills and our Risk Management procedures.

Do we paddle on the Kicking Horse River or hang on?

You choose! If you prefer to assist your guide by paddling, that’s great. If you would feel more secure by simply holding on to the safety lines positioned around the raft, that’s perfect, too. We encourage you to participate at a level that is comfortable for YOU! (“All-paddle” trips can easily be arranged if that is your preference, so just ask!)

How many people per raft?
We choose to carry just 8 guests per raft on our Banff rafting trips, plus your guide, rather than pack people in to lower prices. We will sometimes go to 9 passengers if it is a group that would like to stay together, or on our Gentle trip where we often have youths. Our rafts are rated for up to 12 people.