The summer is turning around in a big way for Alpine Rafting who recently saw their biggest day ever with more than 200 whitewater enthusiasts going for a ride down the Kicking Horse River.
Val Pleym, one of the co-owners Alpine Rafting, said that on July 20, 225 people took a trip on the rivers around Golden with the company.
“I don’t really know what to say other than it was a good feeling,” she said. “We had morning and afternoon departures with just over 100 people on each one. There were 28 rafts going down the Kicking Horse at the same time.”
The previous record for the company was 199 and it took a great deal of hard work from the company’s employees to make the day a success.
“I think it was a little bit stressful for them, but everything went really well. Everything moves a little slower on big days like that but everyone had a great time,” Pleym said.
It was a tough start to the summer for many local businesses when bridges on Highway 1 in Canmore were washed away during floods in June.
Pleym said the flooding took away between 10 and 15 per cent of their sales for the summer season.
“I think around town people were all poised to have a good season. Tourism was looking up and then we got hit with the flooding. Everyone was affected,” she said. “It is nice to see the summer back on track after the flooding.”
She added that there were people from all over out on the river.
“It was a good mix of international travellers, people from British Columbia and people from Alberta,” she said. “It is nice to see people coming back to the area.”
Pleym explained that these types of numbers benefit many local businesses.
“Many of those people spend the night in Golden before or after their trip so it is good for the economy in town. I think that our season being busy is reflective of tourism in town being up. I think everyone in town is enjoying a good summer,” she said.
As for the rest of the summer Pleym is hopeful the tough start is now over for the area.
“I think most businesses in town have put the flooding behind them and are looking to give their customers a great experience.”
