CANYON RAFT COMPANY

Canyon Raft Company has been offering river trips in Fernie since 1995 – owned and operated by Blair Craig and Lynn Muller. Blair has been in the rafting business since 1987, is a trip leader, guide examiner, and a River Rescue 3 instructor. He has been kayaking since 1977. Lynn has been rafting since 1993 and kayaking since 1990. All our guides are certified in Industrial or Wilderness First Aid and River Rescue, and are licensed by the British Columbia Rafting Association.

FULL DAY WHITEWATER

Canyon Raft Company runs two rivers in the Fernie area – the Elk River Canyon and the Bull River. Both are rated Class IV with outstanding scenery, excellent rapids, and a wilderness setting.

The Elk River Canyon
The Elk River Canyon is a large volume class IV river that cuts deep through rock walls. It is a classic river run that has it all; exciting rapids,a wilderness setting with outstanding scenery, big game animals, birds of prey, and deep quiet canyons. It has a unique geology and there are no roads or trails along most of this stretch, the only way to experience it is by boat. The Elk River is our most popular run and remains a fun river to run even when the water gets low. In the spring it is a big powerful river with lots of great whitewater throughout the whole run. By the beginning of July the water level starts to come down. At this time there are still exciting rapids to run just more floating between the rapids - which gives one time to enjoy the spectacular scenery and look for wildlife. As the water slows down pools form that we can swim in and in one of the canyons we can stop and cliff jump. We will take children 8 years old and over at this time. There is a hike from the canyon rim down to this river. It is not a beach access. It is about a 25 minute drive to the Lower Elk Canyon put in, and a 40 minute drive back to Fernie.

Schedule and Rates TBA

The Bull River
The Bull River is a classic mountain river. It starts out slow and the excitement builds as you get closer to the lower Bull Canyon, which is one of the most sustained stretches of class IV water in the area. We run the Bull in the spring with high to medium water levels and are usually finished rafting there by the end of June as the water gets too low. It is about an hour and a half drive to the put in on the Bull and about an hour’s drive home. There are many access to this river which allows us to run a class II – III stretch only.

Schedule and Rates TBA

Equipment
• 15 and 16 foot self bailing rafts – holds up to 8 people
• We can accommodate up to 48 people
• We run oar frame with paddle assist boats or paddle rafting

We provide
• Transportation to and from Fernie Alpine Resort
• Wet suit, wet socks, neoprene gloves, spray jacket, life jacket, helmet
• Boats and safety equipment
• River side deli lunch

What to bring
• Bathing suit or light shorts to wear under wet suit
• Old sturdy shoes (runners) that can get wet to wear over wet socks
• Synthetic fleece or sweater to wear under spray jacket
• Sunscreen
• Warm dry clothes to change into at the end of the trip

FLOAT TRIPS

We have half day float trips on the upper Elk meeting at Fernie Alpine Resort at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and an evening float meeting at 5:30 pm. All floats must be pre-booked.
We either float from Hosmer to Fernie or Fernie to Morrisey.
It is about a 3-hour trip inclusive with driving time and float time

Scenic float – there is no whitewater
We provide a snack – no lunch
Life jackets
People dress for the weather of the day (no wet suits provided)

Schedule and Rates TBA

Note: The government of British Columbia is requiring all commercial operators using crown land to collect a $1.00/person B.C. Land and Water back country tenure fee (LWBC).