If you have never jumped into a giant rubber raft with a bunch of family and friends (or total strangers) and rocked and rolled your way through the rush and roar of river rapids, the spray splashing your face, buckets of water drenching your shoulders, back, everywhere, screaming, screaming until your throat is raw and no sound emerges at all, trying with vain strength to steer in any direction, as you hold on for dear, sweet life ... well, now’s your chance.
Or maybe you’d like to begin with a relaxing float? Any one of the handful of rafting outfitters in Jasper can start you off with the mildest of river rafting experiences. You’ll think you were in Mississippi, drifting up the lazy river and the old mill run, hat pulled down over your sleepy ol’ eyes, legs a danglin’ from the boat, straw in your teeth ... ah, until your Gortex-clad friends remind you to paddle.
The Athabasca River is the place to start. A mild river with a Class 2 rating, there are plenty of jumps and thrills to get the novice’s blood pounding. Still, a two-hour trip is safe for the whole family, and the river is easily navigable any time from May through September.
A note about the rating system: the navigability of a river is divided into five different classes for river rafting. Class 1 indicates the mildest of rivers, one in which raft occupants float from launch to shore. Class 2 involves some bumps and jolts, but it’s still safe for most family situations. Class 3 is starting to be pretty challenging. Class 4 you better know what you’re doing. Let’s not even talk about Class 5.
Okay, let’s say you’re ready to move on to a challenge. You and the rest of your family over the age of six may want to spend an extra hour on the Athabasca River. That third hour involves more than just endurance—there are a few extra rocks to navigate—you’re going to get wet. Don’t worry: an expert guide is going to help you through the whole way, and you’ll come out the other side feeling exhilarated.
The Sunwapta River offers even more thrills. In fact, these three- or four-hour rafting adventures shouldn’t be attempted by first-timers unless they are very fit and weigh more than ninety pounds. The season is shorter, running June through August. You’re going to get thrown around here.
Ah, the Kakwa River ... but that’s a three-day adventure on an expert-level Class 4 roller coaster. Another day.
