The summer is turning around in a big way for Alpine Rafting, which recently saw its biggest day ever with more than 200 whitewater enthusiasts going for a ride down the Kicking Horse River.
Val Pleym, one of Alpine Rafting‘s co-owners, said that on July 20, 225 people took a trip on the rivers around Golden with the company.
“I don’t know what to say other than it was a good feeling,” she said. “We had morning and afternoon departures with just over 100 people on each one. 28 rafts were going down the Kicking Horse simultaneously.”
The previous record for the company was 199, and the day was a success because of the hard work of the company’s employees.
“It was a bit stressful for them, but everything went well. Everything moves a little slower on big days like that, but everyone had a great time,” Pleym said.
Many local businesses had a tough start to the summer when bridges on Highway 1 in Canmore were washed away during the June floods.
Pleym said the flooding took away between 10 and 15 percent of their sales for the summer season.
“Around town, people were poised to have a good season. Tourism was looking up, and then we got hit by the flooding. Everyone was affected,” she said. It is nice to see the summer back on track after the flooding.”
She added that there were people from all over out on the river.
“It was a good mix of international travellers, people from British Columbia, and people from Alberta. It is nice to see people coming back to the area.”
Pleym explained that these types of numbers benefit many local businesses.
“Many of those people spend the night in Golden before or after their trip, which is good for the town’s economy. I think our season being busy reflects the uptick in tourism in town. I think everyone in town is enjoying a good summer,” she said.
For the rest of the summer, Pleym hopes the area’s tough start will be over.
“I think most businesses in town have put the flooding behind them and are looking to give their customers a great experience.”
