This unique blend of the Rockies’ best rafting, inflatable kayaking, horseback riding and mountain biking, combined with tremendous lodge accommodations is one of the most innovative and luxurious multi-sports in North America. Noble mountains and majestic forest, jewel-like lakes, and alpine tarns, cascading rivers and rippling brooks, all defy description. Imagine—in less than one week, participants are going to explore an incredible diversity of environments and rivers returning each night to outstanding resort facilities. By hand-picking the top experiences in the Rockies, you will see and experience places that have held visitors awe struck and enchanted since their discovery less than 150 years ago.
Canadian Rockies Multi-Sport Photo Gallery
Find out what past participants have said about this trip on the ROAM blog.
Canadian Rockies Multi-Sport Travel Planner
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The Terrain
Our multi-sport program offers the adventurous traveler a bounty of images and experiences. Enveloped by the peaks and canyons of the Canadian Rockies, you will be immersed in Alberta’s best wilderness and most dramatic waterways. The second half of you trip traverses the Rocky Mountain Trench and Purcell Mountain Ranges. Known for outstanding weather, fun rivers and decadent resorts, we’ll combine outdoor pursuits with some of the region’s finest hospitality.
Our trip starts off with a spectacular hike around world famous Lake Louise. Your adventure co-efficient rises dramatically with an exciting raft ride of the Upper and Lower Kicking Horse River in Yoho National Park. The Canadian Rockies are jewel encircled by pristine wilderness and the perfect habitat for moose, grizzly bears, wolves, cougars and eagles. Traveling by foot, raft and even bicycle, allows us the path of least resistance into this beautiful wilderness.
The Rivers
Situated between Banff and Yoho National Parks, the Class III-IV Kicking Horse River is the true Rockies “classic” with an exciting upper section and even more dramatic lower canyon. In contrast, the Spillimacheen is a remote river that is rarely traveled. If the water levels are right on the “Spilly,” we’ll be in for an exciting wilderness adventure. If not, and we won’t know until we get there, the Toby is a fast and friendly mountain creek ideal for rafts or—for those up for more adventure—self-powered inflatable kayaks. In either case, wildlife sightings are virtually guaranteed.
The White River is the prize jewel of the Canadian Rockies featuring swift Class III and IV rapids, a spectacular series of canyons with numerous drops and grand wilderness scenery. This trip also incorporates a wonderful finale in the Lussier Hot Springs.
Cultural Notes
For early Native people, these mountains were both sacred places and a source of game, fish, and other supplies. Archaeological evidence suggests aboriginal people arrived here about 11,000 years ago. Though the Stoneys, Cree, Ktunaxa, and Plains Blackfoot passed through these valleys, few settled for long. Some journeyed to mineral springs such as Kootenay National Park’s Paint Pots to gather ochre. An iron-based mineral, ochre was baked, crushed, mixed with grease, and used as paint for tipi, pictographs, and personal adornment.
Mention the fur trade, and the names of David Thompson and Simon Fraser are inescapable. These men mapped and explored over 1.5 million square miles of western Canada at the turn of the nineteenth century. While charting new trading areas to the Pacific, Thompson frequented posts in the area of Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site and established Kootenay House. Simon Fraser established many trading posts, including Fort St. James National Historic Site in British Columbia before heading down the river, which now bears his name. Other Canadian legends like Sir George Simpson and Captain John Palliser visited too, eyeing the West for its resource and settlement potential.
Blasting a railway through these rock walls was no easy feat and Yoho National Park’s Spiral Tunnels bear witness to this engineering marvel. But in 1885, Canada achieved the impossible, completing its coast-to-coast railway. The arrival of the train brought tourists, resorts, and a lifeline to the newly established Rocky Mountains Park (now Banff National Park), this young country’s first national park. The creation of Glacier, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks soon followed, as more and more visitors discovered the beauty of this mountain landscape
Professional Guide Services
Our river guides are as impressive as the scenery and passionate about their work. Seasoned professionals, they are delighted to pass on their knowledge and skills. As university and college graduates, they have strong backgrounds in natural history, geology and anthropology. They also have knowledge of the local region and its folklore. Part chef, part naturalist, trained in wilderness first aid and professionally certified, our leaders are eager to please and will ensure you have a memorable experience.
Equipment
We utilize state-of-the-art self-bailing rafts. For those unfamiliar with self-bailing boats, the benefits are revolutionary. As water enters the boat, it collects on the inflated floor then drains out through grommet holes along each side. Four to six people all chip in, each with a large single blade paddle. These paddle rafts are capable of riding out all levels of whitewater, clearing drops and dodging rocks.
Weather
The weather on the Alberta side of the Rockies can best be described as variable. Participants could expect anything from blistering hot Chinook winds to cool days in the 60s. The B.C. side of the Rockies is generally 10-20 degrees warmer and not as cool at night. For this reason, it is imperative that you follow the equipment list carefully as we have covered a variety of scenarios in its development.
Wildlife
The Rockies are famous for its bighorn sheep. During the rut, the big spiral-horned rams will charge at combined speeds of 50 miles per hour and butt heads 30-40 times a day, an exhausting, and often fatal fight for sexual supremacy. Another fleet-footed hunter in the region is the cougar.
Biologists believe the large horns used in the rut, impede the rams’ peripheral and rear vision. More times than not, however, cougars are harassed to leave their kill because of the persistent coyotes. Some coyotes become the cougar’s lunch, but the big cats are more likely to look to other sheep, elk, moose or deer. Fortunately for the cougars, all are in abundance.
This area is also the home of black bear and grizzly. Bear populations slurp down the abundant rose hips and berries in the aspen groves. Beaver, river otter and mink can also be seen along the riverbank. We may see over 30 species of birds on this trip. They include bald and golden eagles, peregrine falcons and many species of hawks. Canada geese, great blue herons, sage grouse, Lewis woodpeckers and many varieties of songbirds are also present.
Fishing
The Bow River, which bisects the valley between Jasper and Calgary, is truly a world-class fishery for rainbow and brown trout. If you want to do some great fly fishing before or after your trip call Jeff Hanna at Rocky Mountain Fly Fishing at 403-678-7870 or www.banffflyfishing.com. Jeff is a ROAM-guide alumnus and also happens to be the guide representative for the Flyfishing Outfitters Association of Alberta.
Personal Preparation
This trip is not for everyone. Participants will be expected to help with aggressive paddling. An aptitude for adventure and reasonable physical conditioning is a must. The hikes can be as mellow or as exerting as you like, but there is no getting around the aggressive paddle rafting required. Having said this, your guides will give you an orientation to rafting and expedition practices and teach you all the basic skills that you’ll require to enjoy the trip. All participants will be required to complete a medical questionnaire prior to departure.
Ecological Sentiment
We are committed to the preservation of Western Canada’s wilderness habitat. Our excursions are designed to promote an understanding of the delicate ecosystems that make our provinces unique, while preserving their fundamental integrity. We ask participants to share our concern for the environment by practicing low-impact touring in this sensitive area. R.O.A.M. operates on a “no trace” policy meaning we travel in a self-contained manner, carrying in what we require and carrying out all garbage and human waste. We believe the survival of the natural environment and the wildlife it supports depends on establishing an economy beyond simple resource harvesting. Our goal is to immerse our clients in Canada’s vast natural beauty that, in turn, supports eco-tourism as a viable, economic choice.
Safety and Personal Responsibility
Expedition rafting, like everything else, is a very safe and enjoyable sport if done properly and professionally. Safety is our utmost concern and a satellite phone will be carried in case of any emergencies. It is important however, that each expedition member realize that there are inherent risks involved in river rafting, as there are in many other outdoor activities. Individuals must be responsible for their own actions and accountable for their own decisions. To acknowledge this assumption of risk, each expedition member is required to read, understand and sign an acknowledgement of risk and release form. We will provide you with all the information you require to make your decision about joining us or taking part in any specific activity. We will support any decision made by expedition members to opt out of any activity that they are concerned about or feel is beyond their capabilities.
Registration
Due to the small group size and limited departure dates, we encourage participants to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In order to confirm your space on the trip, we only require a $500 US non-refundable deposit. Upon receipt of deposit, we will send you a letter of confirmation, pre-departure information, equipment list, medical questionnaire and a liability release form. The latter two items should be returned to our office with the balance of payment due 90 days prior to departure. All payments are non-refundable so we recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance at the time of deposit.
