Maximum Horsepower
Twice As Much BIG Kicking Horse Whitewater Action
The Maximum Horsepower (or, MHP) offers twice the whitewater of our popular Whitewater Exciter trip, with a DOUBLE SHOT of the biggest whitewater in the Rockies. It is not one, but TWO runs down THE best section of whitewater the Kicking Horse River has to offer. Rafters experience 24 exhilarating rapids and cover a total of 24 kilometres of river distance (the longest possible BIG whitewater trip near Banff National Park!)
This double run is made more exhilarating with two different styles of rafts. The first run, in our ever-popular 16-foot oar-rigged rafts, gives everyone a chance to warm up and get familiar with the river (this single run is our Whitewater Exciter trip). The second run is in smaller 14-foot all-paddle rafts with the guide being just another paddler. Believe me, those two feet make a world of difference!
Smaller rafts accentuate everything: the bounces, the smashes, and the hits! It may be the second run on the same section of the river, but it will be a completely different experience. Not only that, but everyone (yes, everyone) will have a paddle in their hands. 100% participation is required from each and every rafter. There is nothing finer than digging in and paddling hard when your guide hollers out commands.
Offered mid-July through August. For 2022 this will run from July 20 through to August 31.
As smaller rafts are used on the second run, the river must be at an acceptable level for safety. This is typically mid-July.
PRIVATE RAFTS
Enjoy the Kicking Horse River on your exclusively private raft! For those wishing to have only their own family or friends on board, our Build Your Own Boatload special (or, BYOB) is perfect. Feel more at ease on the river with your own guide and raft, while still being part of a larger flotilla. All it takes is 4 to 8 guests to have your own boat on a regularly-scheduled Maximum Horsepower departure. Simply give us a call at 1-888-647-6444 to chat further.
As with all Wild Water Adventure trips, guests meet at our RiverBase Daylodge; all our Golden, BC rafting trips depart from here. It’s easy to find us with the downloadable self-drive map of the Banff area, and we have loads of secure parking on site for vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
At Wild Water, we place a strong emphasis on safety and guest satisfaction. Our team of river rafting professionals, or ‘guides’, will size everyone up for Canada rafting equipment, (all clean, dry, sterilized … and FREE!). Guests comfortably change into provided gear in heated changing rooms before being shuttled to the river. An easy-to-understand safety briefing will be delivered covering proper seating and paddling techniques.
The MHP is best suited for those with prior rafting experience or a big appetite for whitewater. Rafters must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 100 pounds (45kg). No exceptions! ** The MHP trip is operated subject to favourable water levels **
2022 SEASON:
Wednesday & Saturday afternoon departures (1:45 PM), July 20th through August 27th
Rafters must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 100 pounds (45kg) *NO Exceptions *
Subject to favourable water levels and river conditions
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Photo Gallery
The most rapids you’ll find on one trip in the Canadian Rockies.
With twice the whitewater of our popular “Whitewater Exciter” trip, you and your friends will be in awe at the continuous, thundering and thrilling whitewater that you’ll experience on this “Maximum HorsePower” river trip.
You’ll start by meeting your guide and gearing up for your 24 spine tingling rafting kilometres ahead. At the beginning you will experience all the fun, enjoyment and excitement of our Whitewater Exciter trip, with 14 rapids ranging from class II up to class IV+ and plenty of great rafting action!
Offered mid-July through August.
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 from class II to class IV and plenty of great rafting action! You’ll cover approx. 12kms. (8 mi.) of river on this section. This trip will be completed in our standard 16’ rafts. But, hey, remember this is just the warm-up for you “thrill seekers”!
We’ll quickly load up on board and head back up to the put-in for a 2nd run…but this time, you, your team, and your guide will challenge the river in our smaller, 14’ “all-paddle” rafts! While the section of the river is the same, the river experience cannot be compared. The waves will seem bigger, wetter, and wilder. The action is thrilling and spine-tingling as you paddle your craft hard through the largest waves in the smallest craft!
This rafting trip is best suited for those with prior rafting experience or a big appetite for whitewater. Participants must be over the age of 16 and 100 lbs…(sorry, no exceptions!) This trip is operated subject to favourable water levels, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1:45 pm.
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