YOHO NATIONAL PARK AND VICINITY - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 305

With a vertical rise of 1,260 meters (4,130 feet), 45 percent of terrain designated for
experts, lots of dry powder snow, and minimal crowds, Kicking Horse has developed a big
reputation since opening for the 2000-2001 winter season. In addition to the 3.5-kilometer-
long (2.2-mile-long) gondola, four other lifts transport skiers and boarders to hidden bowls
and to a high point of 2,450 meters (8,040 feet), giving the resort North America's second-
highest vertical rise (1,260 meters/4,135 feet). Lifts operate mid-December-early April,
and tickets are adult $74, senior $64, child $38. Facilities in the base lodge include rentals,
a cafeteria, and a ski school, while the summit restaurant is also open daily for lunch and
Friday and Saturday for dinner.
To get to Kicking Horse, follow the signs from Highway 1 into town and take 7th Street
North west from 10th Avenue North; it's over the Columbia River and 13 kilometers (eight
miles) uphill from this intersection.
White-Water Rafting
Anyone looking for white-water-rafting action will want to run the Kicking Horse River.
The rafting season runs mid-May-mid-September, with river levels at their highest in late
June. The Lower Canyon, immediately upstream of Golden, offers the biggest thrills, in-
cluding a three-kilometer (1.9-mile) stretch of continuous rapids. Upstream of here the
river is tamer but still makes for an exciting trip, while even farther upstream, near the
western boundary of Yoho National Park, it's more of a float—a good adventure for the
more timid visitor. The river is run by several companies, most of which offer the option
of half-day ($60-80) or full-day ($100-150) trips. The cost varies with inclusions such as
transportation from Banff and lunch.
Alpine Rafting (250/344-6778 or 888/599-5299, www.alpinerafting.com ) offers trips
ranging from a family-friendly float to the excitement of descending the Lower Canyon.
They operate from a signposted base 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) east of Golden, where
there is also primitive camping. Other local companies include Wet 'n' Wild Adventures
(250/344-6546 or 800/668-9119, www.wetnwild.bc.ca ) and Glacier Raft Company (250/
344-6521, www.glacierraft.com ). From Lake Louise, Wild Water Adventures (403/
522-2211 or 888/647-6444, www.wildwater.com ) leads half-day trips down the river for
$93, including a narrated bus trip to their purpose-built RiverBase put-in point 27 kilomet-
ers (17 miles) east of Golden. Departures are from Lake Louise at 8:15am and 1:30pm The
full-day trip ($139) is broken up by a riverside lunch. Canadian Rockies Rafting (403/
678-6535 or 877/226-7625, www.rafting.ca ) operates on the river from Banff, while Hy-