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"Kootenay" Is paddler slang for "Awesome".

Everyone is familiar with the Rocky Mountains in Canada, but did you know they are only one of four major mountain ranges in the Kootenay Rockies region? Between the Purcell, Monashee, Selkirk, and western Rocky Mountains, are a variety of valleys boasting innumerable lakes and rivers offering every type of paddling experience. Its headwaters of the mighty Columbia River are located in the area of BC, near Fairmont Hot Springs, and flow north past Golden before veering south and running all the way to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. Whether your preference is paddling big rivers or kayak fishing on lakes for Kokanee salmon, the Kootenay Rockies region is guaranteed to float your boat.

Participating communities from Kootenay Rockies

Explore pockets of this region by way of specific communities. Get info on the waterways in or near them and meet local paddling professionals.

Castlegar

Discover the little city at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers. And try the borscht.

Explore

Fernie

The Elk River snakes its way past this community and the Bull River flows nearby. As their names suggest, the paddling here is wild.

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Golden

Golden is perfectly named because the paddling experiences here are worth their weight in, well, you know.

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Meet the specialists Kootenay Rockies

From guides and instructors to marina owners and sales reps, here are the people who will ensure you’re not sent up the creek without a, well, you know. 

I want to go

on a(n)

Whitewater rafting
tours and rentals
Alpine Rafting

Alpine Rafting is located in Golden BC on the famous and beautiful Kicking Horse River.

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Whitewater rafting trip
tours
Canyon Raft Company

Located in Fernie BC the Canyon Raft Company offers anything from scenic floats to whitewater rafting, making it suitable for all.

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Canoeing in the Columbia wetlands
tours and rentals
Columbia Wetlands Outpost

Located between the scenic Rocky and Purcell Mountains, Columbia Wetland Outpost offers self guided tours to explore the surrounding nature.

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retail and rentals
Edge of the World

Offering top of the line equipment for sale and rent. Come check us out – Downtown Fernie. BC

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Rafting on the Slocan River
lessons, tours & rentals
Endless Adventure

Endless Adventures offers a variety of different watersports options for everyone to try out.

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Floating in Golden
rentals
Float Golden

Float Golden offers the most affordable paddle board rentals throughout Golden.

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Paddle boarding
rentals and retail
GearHub Sports

GearHub sports offers a wide variety of watersports gear and equipment for rentals or sale.

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Rafting the Kicking Horse River
tours and rentals
Glacier Raft Company

Go whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River with Goldens original rafting company, Glacier Raft Co.

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Canoeing in the wetlands of Golden
rentals
Golden Paddle

Golden Paddle provides many different watersports rentals for their guests.

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Paddle Boarding
rentals and tours
Golden River Adventures

At Golden River Adventures try something new with their inflatable kayak rentals and create your own adventure.

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Rafting the Kicking Horse River
tours
Hydra River Guides

Hydra River Guides offers many different activities, whether it’s a fast paced rafting trip or a gentle canoe ride they have it all.

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rentals and tours
Kootenay Raft Company

For over 20 years the Kootenay Raft Company has been offering adventurous whitewater rafting trips in Kimberley BC.

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Whitewater rafting
tours
Kootenay River Runners

Kootenay River Runners is perfect for adventurous visitors to experience guided whitewater rafting trips down the mighty Kicking Horse River.

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Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River
tours and rentals
Kootenay River Runners: Golden

Kootenay River Runners in Golden BC explores the mighty Kicking Horse River.

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Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser Expedition
tours
Roam Adventures

Explore the rivers and experience beautiful mountain views while adventuring with Roam Adventures.

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Scotties Marina
rentals
Scotties Marina

Located on the Arrow Lakes, Scotties Marina is a fully serviced marina that also provides some watersports rentals.

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Rafting in Fernie
rentals, tours & lessons
Tunnel49

Tunnel49 is a rafting company that offers a variety of different tours including calmer trips or more adventurous ones.

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rentals and tours
Tunnel 49 (Mountain High Adventure)

Whitewater Rafting is a unique way to experience Fernie. You’ll enjoy breathtaking sceneries in our high quality 8 seater rafts as you
navigate through carved canyons, and over Class 2, 3, and 4 rapids.

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Whitewater rafting down the Kicking Horse River
tours and rentals
Wet n Wild Adventures

Experience thrilling rafting trips down the Kicking Horse River with Wet n Wild Adventures.

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A scenic rafting trip with Wild Blue Yonder Rafting Adventures
tours
Wild Blue Yonder Rafting Adventures: Revelstoke

Become a "River Pirate" on a whitewater rafting tour with Wild Blue Yonder Rafting Adventures.

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tours
Wild Water Adventures

Wild Water Adventures is known to be the best organized whitewater rafting trips near Banff.

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Learn more about paddling in Kootenay Rockies

The Best Whitewater Rafting in British Columbia

The Kicking Horse is only one of many whitewater experiences that make British Columbia one of the best rafting destinations in the world.

Read More

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