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Chinook Rafting
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Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Trip

Frequently Asked Questions

All you need to know about safety, what to bring, our facilities and location and much more.

Pre Purchase

WHAT IS INCLUDED ON THIS TOUR?

1.5 – 2 hours river time, taking in the spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain Foothills.

A professional river guide with each boat, who will explain and demonstrate paddle, safety and emergency techniques.

All safety equipment: wetsuits, lifejacket, helmet, rainjacket, wetsuit booties and gloves.

Transportation from our meeting point at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge to and from the river. You will be brought back to your vehicle at the end of the trip.

DO I NEED TO SIGN A WAIVER?

Every guest needs to sign a waiver form. This is a condition of participation before any adventure activity in North America and worldwide. You’ll receive a waiver in your inbox after booking. If you would like to review the contents of our waiver form prior to booking, please use the links below to access a read-only version. These versions are for your review only, upon booking, you will receive a fillable version to complete.

Participants must read and agree to the terms and conditions of the waiver, before we can take you on our white water rafting trip. Please complete the waiver 24 hours before your trip starts.

If you choose not to sign the waiver, you can contact us to receive a full refund.

Preview Adult Waiver: Here

Preview Parental Consent Form: Here

HOW LONG IS THE TOUR?

The Kananaskis River Rafting Tour starts at the Nakoda Lakeside Lodge at at 1:30pm (meet time 1:15pm) and runs for 4 hours, which includes 1.5 to 2 hours on the water. You will be back at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge at approximately 5:15pm.

The Horseshoe Canyon Rafting Tour starts at the Nakoda Lakeside Lodge at 8:30am (meet time 8:25am) and runs for 4 hours, which includes 1.5 to 2 hours on the water. You will be back at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge at approximately 12:00pm.

WHEN DOES THE TOUR RUN?

For the Kananaskis River daily at 1:30pm, from mid May to mid September.

For the Horseshoe Canyon daily at 8:30am, from mid May to early September.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER FEES?

There is a $3 river fee per person which is included in all of our rates, plus a 5% Alberta goods and services tax. Please note that all bookings are also subject to a 5% processing fee.

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE?

For the Kananaskis River the minimum age requirement is 5 years. If the guest is unaccompanied by an adult the minimum age is 16 years old, but the parent must be at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge to sign the waiver.

For the Horseshoe Canyon the minimum age requirement is 12 years. If the guest is unaccompanied by an adult the minimum age is 16 years old, but the parent must be at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge to sign the waiver.

ARE THERE ANY WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS?

For the Kananaskis River the minimum weight is 40lbs and the maximum weight is 350lbs.

For the Horseshoe Canyon the minimum weight is 90lbs and the maximum weight is 350lbs.

CAN I BOOK A GROUP TOUR?

Yes, you can book a group tour. Please see our Groups page for more details or call our store to make your booking on 1 866 330 7238. We offer a new option as well to book your private boat! In the checkout on Kananaskis River or Horseshoe Canyon, you can choose a private buyout and make sure you will have the boat for your group only! There is a minimum number of required paddling adults for private boats buyouts (4 for Kananaskis and 6 for Horseshoe).

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

There is a 24 hour cancellation policy for the Horseshoe Canyon and Kananaskis River trips, you can change/cancel or refund your booking 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings of 9 or more participants).

WHAT IS YOUR SATISFACTION GUARANTEED?

We want you splashing with joy — not disappointment! If you ride the rapids with us and don’t have an epic time, we’ll refund your money. Yup, we’re that confident you’ll love it.

But here’s the deal:
🚫 No-shows and late arrivals miss the boat (literally) —aren’t eligible for refunds.
⏰ So be on time, bring that adventurous spirit, and get ready to make waves!
💯 The 100% satisfaction guarantee applies only to Chinook owned products (Kananaskis and Horseshoe River rafting).

Safety & Restrictions

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE?

For the Kananaskis River the minimum age requirement is 5 years. If the guest is unaccompanied by an adult the minimum age is 16 years old, but the parent must be at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge to sign the waiver.

For the Horseshoe Canyon the minimum age requirement is 12 years. If the guest is unaccompanied by an adult the minimum age is 16 years old, but the parent must be at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge to sign the waiver.

ARE THERE ANY WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS?

For the Kananaskis River the minimum weight is 40lbs and the maximum weight is 350lbs.

For the Horseshoe Canyon the minimum weight is 90lbs and the maximum weight is 350lbs.

I HAVE SOME MEDICAL CONCERNS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

When you are making your reservation please let the agent know and they will check with the Chinook management team. On the day please bring any medication you may need and inform your guide of any medical condition.

DO YOU NEED ANY RAFTING EXPERIENCE?

No experience is necessary, we do provide a Professional River Guide with each boat – who will explain and demonstrate paddle, safety and emergency techniques. This includes dryland safety instructions and practicing paddling on the river before the waves.

DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SWIM?

If you do not know how to swim, we would recommend joining the Kananaskis River Rafting Tour, as the rapids and river are not as strong. On the day please inform your guide that you are a non or weak swimmer too.

WHAT TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS DO THE RAFT GUIDES HAVE?

All of our staff are employed for their knowledge, local stories, enthusiasm, qualifications and experience and then further trained. All of our rafting guides at Chinook Rafting meet or exceed industry standards, and must be licensed through the Professional River Outfitters Association of Alberta, undergoing a series of practical and written exams. Many of the guides with Chinook Rafting qualify as, or are training on becoming, Trip Leaders, which is the highest level of certification that we as guides can obtain. All of our rafting guides are also trained in Swiftwater Rescue and First Aid & CPR and often spend their Canadian winters working as Professional Rafting Guides in the Southern Hemisphere too. We generally require a minimum of 3-5 seasons of prior rafting experience before we see if new guides are up to our standards. Some of our raft guides have over 10 years of international experience. All of our staff undergo thorough in-house training on the rivers we run; & first aid, river rescue and emergency response scenario training going above and beyond the industry standard, along with on-going safety meetings during the season to improve our emergency response plan and risk management procedures.

IS IT SAFE?

Chinook Rafting has been operating whitewater rafting tours as a licensed company in the province of Alberta since 1983. As such, there are certain regulations (boat size, safety requirements, etc.) that we must follow. As rafting guides, we must be licensed through the Professional River Outfitters Association of Alberta, undergoing a series of practical and written exams. Many of the guides with Chinook Rafting qualify as, or are training on becoming, Trip Leaders, which is the highest level of certification that we as guides can obtain. All of our rafting guides are also trained in Swiftwater Rescue and First Aid & CPR and often spend their Canadian winters working as Professional Rafting Guides in the Southern Hemisphere too. What this means for you is that we are confident that we can manage, not eliminate, the risks today to offer you an exciting and fun day on the river, creating as safe a framework as we can, given what we are doing. However, it is important to remember that we are not on a track, this isn’t Disneyland! The fact that we’re not on a track adds excitement to what we’re doing, but it also adds inherent risks.

COULD I FALL OUT OF THE RAFT?

There is always a very slim possibility that you could fall out of the raft while on your white water rafting tour. We do everything possible as a company though to keep you inside the raft, providing you with top of the line equipment, including safety lines positioned around the raft, and very thorough, clear and concise safety briefings and demonstrations before the rafting tour. We want you to be prepared and ready to enjoy your tour with us.

DO I NEED TO SIGN A WAIVER?

Every guest needs to sign a waiver form. This is a condition of participation before any adventure activity in North America and worldwide. You’ll receive a waiver in your inbox after booking. If you would like to review the contents of our waiver form prior to booking, please use the links below to access a read-only version. These versions are for your review only, upon booking, you will receive a fillable version to complete.

Participants must read and agree to the terms and conditions of the waiver, before we can take you on our white water rafting trip. Please complete the waiver 24 hours before your trip starts.

If you choose not to sign the waiver, you can contact us to receive a full refund.

Preview Adult Waiver: Here
Preview Parental Consent Form: Here

What to Bring

WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?

Please wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring warm clothes and a towel for after the tour.  We also suggest bringing a toque or hat for colder days, to wear under the helmet. Please bring a warm sweater for after your trip if you feel the cold. Your belongings can be stored on the bus or in your own car while you are on the river.

CAN I WEAR SUNGLASSES DURING THE TOUR?

If you cannot see without your glasses, please bring them along with a sports band strap or we will provide a piece of string which will help secure the glasses to your head. If you can see without your glasses/sunglasses we recommend leaving them in your car so you do not loose or break them out on the river.

CAN I WEAR MY CONTACT LENSES?

Contact lenses are usually OK if you are comfortable swimming in them, please tell your guide.

DO I NEED SUNSCREEN?

Sunscreen is great on a hot day, avoid putting it above or near your eyes. Remember your body will be mostly covered by our rafting equipment.

CAN I WEAR MY SKIRT WHILE ON THE RIVER?

For safety reasons, we prefer not to have any loose fabric, as it could restrict your swimming in case you were to fall in the river.

CAN I BRING MY OWN WETSUIT OR SAFETY EQUIPMENT?

We will provide all the safety equipment for the rafting trip.
You’re welcome to bring your own wetsuit as along as it works for the temperatures that day.

IF I AM ALLERGIC TO NEOPRENE CAN I STILL RAFT?

Unfortunately you will be unable to raft if you do not wear a wetsuit. The river is still quite cold.

CAN I BRING MY OWN CAMERA?

You should leave it behind and not risk getting your camera lost or ruined on the river. You can take some “before and after” photos while in your river gear. Best just to leave it to our professional photographer who will snap some fantastic shots of you while you get to have fun on the river.

CAN I BRING MY PHONE?

We discourage bringing your phone on the trip. A lot of phones, phone cases, phone pouches state that they’re waterproof, but white-waterproof is a whole other level. Our guides regularly test out new gear on that matter and still choose to leave their phone behind on the trips.

CAN I BRING A GOPRO?

Yes, you can bring your own GoPro for the rafting tour, which can be secured with your own chest harness, or we do have some helmets with GoPro mounts but we are not responsible for loss or damage of your equipment.

WE ARE PLANNING A PARTY, CAN I BRING SOMETHING FOR THE STAG/STAGETTE TO WEAR?

For safety reasons we advise against bringing anything on the tour that could constrain or hinder the rafter during the tour. However our guides do have a few props you can use, please ask when you call to make a booking.

Facilities & Location

WHERE IS THE MEETING POINT?

CHINOOK RAFTING RIVERBASE, located at Riverbase, Stoney 142, 143, 144, Alberta, Canada. Directions can be found on the Directions & Maps page. From CHINOOK RAFTING RIVERBASE, we do all the driving to and from the river, so you don’t need to provide transportation for that, and there is plenty of free parking for all vehicles at CHINOOK RAFTING RIVERBASE.

WILL I BE BROUGHT BACK TO CHINOOK RAFTING RIVERBASE AT THE END OF MY RAFTING TRIP?

Yes we do all the driving to and from the river, we will bring you right back to your car at the riverbase at the end of your whitewater rafting trip.

DO YOU RAFT FROM THE BASE?

No, there is a short bus ride from CHINOOK RAFTING RIVERBASE to the river and back again after the tour.

IS THERE A PLACE TO CHANGE?

There are male and female change tents at CHINOOK RAFTING RIVERBASE.

ARE THERE WASHROOMS?

Yes, port-a-potties are available at CHINOOK RAFTING RIVERBASE.

On the River

WHAT DO I SEE ON THIS TRIP?

Scenic views of the front range of the Rocky Mountain Ranges and occasionally wildlife such as Osprey, Bald Eagles, Deer and Bears.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ON THIS TOUR?

Usually each raft can hold up to 10 guests plus the guide (depending on their size and age) and we do require a minimum of 8 people for the tour to go ahead.

HOW BIG ARE THE RAPIDS?

On the Kananaskis River you will go through class 2 & 3 rapids during your tour.

On the Horseshoe Canyon you will go through class 2, 3 & 4 rapids during your tour.

Check out our Whitewater Rafting Rapid Classification Guide for more information.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

Our trips run rain or shine. In fact it’s a lot of fun rafting in the rain and you are going to get wet anyway. We just give you the necessary equipment to enjoy your trip with us.

HOW DO I STAY WARM ON THE RIVER AS I GET COLD EASILY?

Everyone will be given a wetsuit, wetsuit booties, fleece, rain jacket and neoprene gloves if required, along with a lifejacket and helmet of course. Even our guests who are “thermally challenged” find that the gear works extremely well to keep them warm and happy. We are in the mountains though, and the river water is refreshing, so we also work hard to keep you warm and inside the raft on your tour.

Inclusions

IS LUNCH OR A SNACK INCLUDED?

Light refreshment and snacks are provided after the tour.

WILL THERE BE ANY PHOTOGRAPHS?

Yes, same day action high resolution photo usbs are for sale for $30, along with souvenirs at a reasonable price. You can also like or share the low resolution photographs for free from our website for the Kananaskis River and Horseshoe Canyon trips.

Still have questions?

Get in touch with our reservations team — or call us on 1 866 330 7238 and we will help you plan your day on the river.

Contact UsCall 1 866 330 7238