The rafting industry in Golden has seen quite a few changes in the last couple of years. Last year, access restrictions to the lower canyon forced rafting companies to adapt quickly, and this year, two long-time rafting companies have merged.
Wet n’ Wild Adventures rafting company merged with Glacier Rafting on May 1st, 2017. Although both companies still do currently exist, Glacier owns both and has moved its location to the Wet n’ Wild property.
“We were looking for a new rafting location and this beautiful site became available, so we grabbed the opportunity,” Carmen said. Glacier Rafting’s new location is at 1509 Lafontaine Road.
The merge hasn’t slowed the many tourists and locals alike who have experienced Kicking Horse River with the company this year. Carmen says that the 2017 season has been “fun and exciting” thus far.
The company has ten full-time guides and has an arsenal of freelancers for the extra busy days. Many guides return year after year to raft the season with Glacier.
The high water has kept the lower canyon closed for most of the season, but Carmen says that once the water levels allow for safe rafting, they are prepared with the option of heli-rafting for their guests again this year.
“Many people who go on the heli-rafting trips have never been in a helicopter, so it’s two adventures in one.”
Heli-Rafting gives Glacier Rafting and its guests the opportunity to raft the river’s lower canyon, which has been inaccessible since CP Rail blocked vehicular access last year after a Transport Canada order.
Solutions are still being explored, but Carmen says it is a “slow process.”
“We will have to be patient and see what comes in the future. As for now, our only access to the lower is via helicopter.”
Until new alternative access options are explored, heli-rafting is creating a unique experience for Glacier and now Wet n’ Wild guests. They are one of the only companies this season to raft the entire river in one trip; upper, middle and lower. Something Carmen says they feel “fortunate [to] offer to guests.”
