One of our most frequently asked questions is: "is the water you raft in cold?". The answer is yes. Why? The Kicking Horse is a glacier fed river, and just like putting ice cubes in your water, that run off keeps things refreshingly chilly. On the scorching hot day, there's nothing better than splashing your way through the rapids to cool off. Beyond being a sure-fire way to beat the heat, glacier-fed rivers have some pretty wicked features that make them stand out from other rapids. Read on to learn more about the river and how to stay warm on your white water trip.
Glacier Fed Rapids Fluctuate, Meaning No Two Rides Are the Same
Varying melt-off rates mean that water levels change depending on a variety of factors. Depending on the surrounding temperature, seasonal precipitation levels and more, the river may be higher, faster, or even more gentle on occasion (don’t worry, even on a slow day, you’ll still get your share of rapids!). Since the river changes so frequently, each trip is different, meaning you’ll never be bored. Hydra’s team of experts also plays close attention to water levels and speed to ensure that each boat has a safe ride on the rapids.
Stay Warm On Cooler Days
While a refreshing cold spray on your skill is ideal on summer’s hottest days, on a day where the temperature is a little lower or has the potential to shift rapidly (as Alberta is notorious for), knowing how to combat the chill is your friend. Follow these tips to make sure you stay comfortable on the water:
- Dress appropriately: layers work in your favour and we provide everything to keep you toasty. A neoprene wetsuit and a light polar fleece beneath your spray jacket that will help insulate you on colder days. As a rule, avoid cotton. It sticks to your skin and can lower your body temperature when wet. Instead wear your bathing suit underneath the wet suit. Finally we offer neoprene booties to keep your feet warm.
- Eat extra on the day you raft: While you want to give yourself time to digest before you start paddling (no one likes a cramp!), eating a little extra the morning of your trip can help combat the shivers. Rafting does expend quite a bit of energy, and having some extra calories to spend can help your body generate excess heat.
- Stay hydrated: it might sound a little counter-intuitive, but drinking lots of water on chilly days gives your body the hydration it needs to operate in tip-top form.
Now that you know a little more about glacier-fed water, you’re ready to hit the river. It's kind of cool, that the water you raft on was ice on a glacier just 24 hours prior! Give us a call to book your next trip today!