Best Canada Whitewater Rafting – The Maximum Horsepower Trip
Looking for the biggest and best Calgary rafting adventure with the most whitewater action to be found in the Rockies? Look no further than Wild Water Adventure’s Maximum Horsepower rafting trip on the Kicking Horse River. The MHP, as we like to call this particular trip, definitely lives up to its name. 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 whitewater trip near Banff National Park!) But the adrenaline rush does not stop there. To make this double whitewater trip even more exhilarating, rafters power downstream in 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. For the second run, we completely change it up and launch everyone in smaller 14-foot all-paddle rafts with the guide being just another paddler. Believe you 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 river, but it will be a completely different experience. Not only that, but everyone (and, I mean 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. WHO CAN RAFT THE MHP? The MHP is twice the whitewater action of our single-run Whitewater Exciter, and paddling is mandatory on the second run. Because of this, every rafter must be at least 16 years old AND weigh at least 100 pounds. Muscle power, stamina, and enthusiasm for double-action whitewater are key characteristics. WHEN IS THE MHP OFFERED? Smaller boats require the Kicking Horse River to be running at a certain water level. We want to have fun, but more importantly, we want to be safe. If the water level is too high, the smaller boats are not appropriate. The 2022 MHP season kicks off July 20th, pending favourable river levels, and runs through to August 27th. Two weekly departures are offered on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Generally by the end of July and into August, the river is at the perfect level for the MHP. WHAT IS PROVIDED FOR RAFTERS? As with all Kicking Horse rafting trips, guests are asked to bring a towel, their own bathing suit/swimming shorts and a heavy polar fleece/polypropelene sweater (for added warmth on the river). In these times of COVID-19, guests are also asked to bring a face covering and ziploc bag (for dry storage of your face covering while on the river). Wild Water provides guests with clean, dry and sanitized wetsuits, wetsuit booties, spray jackets, life jackets, and helmets. Even wetsuit gloves are available (a piece of gear that I personally don’t raft the Kicking Horse River without!). Once back at the RiverBase after the second run, and in dry clothes once again, hot beverages are served and trip photographs displayed. To Find Out More About The MHP, Or Any Of Our Kicking Horse Rafting Adventures, Simply Give Us a Call at 1-888-647-6444. See You On The River! Rafting The Kicking Horse Since 1992 Author: Deborah Wade
The 2020 Season Has Begun!
The 2020 Kicking Horse rafting season has ‘kicked’ off! The Wild Water crew is so happy to be back on the river welcoming guests from British Columbia and Alberta, as well as other Canadian provinces. This year marks Wild Water Adventure’s 29th year of operations. We could not be more proud of all that has been achieved over the past three decades. Protocols for safety and hygiene are so well entrenched that even COVID-19 could not stop us! Our 2020 rafting roster continues to offer daily departures on the half-day Gentle and Whitewater Exciter trips, as well as the full-length Tradition. Later in July, the double-shot Maximum Horsepower will be offered on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons. River levels to date have been, in a word, exceptional. Between the massive quantities of snow melting in the alpine and the heavy rains of spring, gung-ho rafters can take their pick of adjectives to describe river conditions. Cranking, pumping and blasting are all appropriately descriptive. For those thinking about rafting, now is definitely the time to be on the river! NEW FOR 2020: PRIVATE RAFTS Two more fine words available to rafters this year are ‘private rafts’. For those wishing to have only their family or friends on board, the Build Your Own Boatload program, or BYOB, is perfect. Guests can feel more at ease on the river with their own guide and raft while still being part of a larger flotilla. All it takes is 4 to 8 guests to have your own raft on a regularly-scheduled Gentle, Whitewater Exciter, Tradition or Maximum Horsepower departure. The 2020 Season So Far After only one week on the river, the 2020 rafting season is shaping up to be as fun-filled and exciting as ever. We invite one and all to come out to the river, share the laughter and have a lot of fun. There is no need to let COVID-19 keep you at home. Feel free to refer back to the previous post which outlines our company-specific COVID-19 protocols. For information on all our departures and the BYOB program, simply give us a call at 1-888-647-6444. The office is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. Here’s to a great summer of river rafting. We look forward to seeing everyone soon. Rafting the Kicking Horse Since 1992 Author: Deborah Wade
5 Best Canadian Rockies Adventures
Canadian Rockies adventures, like the world itself, are varied and diverse. In common with each is the ability to offer a unique vantage point in which to soak in the majestic mountain habitat. At times, a lakeside stroll, on your own, is ideal. The natural wonder of the landscape breathed in and enjoyed at your own pace, and in your own way. At other times, having an expert alongside offers evolutionary insights and interpretations, truly making Canadian Rockies adventure experience so much more.