Guided Powder Skiing Tours Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan Ski Tours

Our Hokkaido ski and snowboard trips focus on riding untracked powder and the quality of skiing! We use our combined experience guiding, tour planning, and Mako’s vast network of industry professionals to find the best snow Hokkaido has to offer! We consistently get our clients to skiing and snowboarding which is unparalleled! These trips are led by an IFMGA guide, co-guided by RRA owner Carl Dec and local Japanese ski guide Makoto Takeishi.

Check out the backcountry skiing Hokkaido you’ll likely encounter!

The island of Hokkaido is famous for its deep, dry snow and powder skiing! Cold fronts coming out of Siberia mix with moisture as they cross the Sea of Japan. The result is huge amounts of cold dry fluffy snow. The terrain in Hokkaido is mostly birch tree glade skiing and as steep as you like. On the occasion, when it stops snowing and we can see, there are opportunities to climb and summit some of the bigger mountains and volcanoes.

  • Difficulty – Moderate to difficult  | Vert. varies
  • Days – 6 days skiing/7 nights lodging
  • Minimum age – 10
  • Venues – Hokkaido
  • Meets – Sapporo, Japan
  • Dates – January 21st – 28th – FULL
  • Dates – January 28st – Feb. 4th – FULL
  • For private trips contact us!

1 Person $4800

Check availability and   Book online now!

You will fly into Sapporo, Japan via the New Chitose Airport and be greeted by our guides. From there we make the drive to Otaru where we will be based for the start of the week. This gives us the option to ski the areas of Kokusai, Kiroro, Sapporo Teine and others while at the same time allowing you to explore the culture, food and fun of this wonderful city in the evening. We purposely choose smaller, less crowded areas that offer, what we think is, a better, more authentic Hokkaido ski experience.

Mid-week we travel to the northern part of the island and base in Asahikawa City. This gives us the option to ski Asahi-Dake, Kamui Ski Links, Furano and other “secret” backcountry locations. These “secret spots’ are often the highlight of the trip!

The focus of our Hokkaido ski trip is riding untracked powder! If it is snowing, which is the norm and we can access untracked snow, lift-served side-country skiing is what we will do. However, if conditions dictate, we could be touring to access good snow for a portion of or sometimes all day. Therefore, touring equipment, some touring experience and descent fitness are mandatory. It is best to come into this trip as an advanced downhill skier, comfortable in black diamond tree skiing (28-38 degrees).

We choose each day’s location based on weather, experience, and most importantly, information that is available to us through Mako and his network of local guides, ski patrollers and professional skiers and boarders. It is this wealth of information that constantly enables us to find the best snow for our clients. While others sit in the rain or are not riding due to high winds we have consistently delivered the goods. We focus on the details allowing you to ride the best snow available and immerse yourself in the culture and food of Japan.

ITINERARY:

Prior day 1: Sunday – Arrive in Japan 5 to 8 PM, Chitose airport, meet guides, and transfer to Otaru.

Day 1: Monday – First ski day at Kokusai, Kiroro, Teine, onsen stay Otaru.

Day 2: Tuesday – Ski at Kokusai, Kiriro or Teine, onsen stay Otaru.

Day 3: Wednesday – Ski Kokusai, Kiriro or Teine travel to Asahikawa.

Day 4: Thursday – Ski Asahi-dake, Furano or other backcountry location, onsen stay Asahikawa.

Day 5: Friday – Ski Asahi-dake, Furano or other backcountry location, onsen stay Asahikawa.

Day 6: Saturday – Ski Mt. nearby ski area or “secret spot” then drive to Chitose for last night.

Day 7: Sunday – Return home or extend your stay in Japan to see some sites!

DAILY ROUTINE:

  • 7:00 am – Breakfast as a group. Discuss the plan for the day, weather, and logistics.
  • 8:00 am – Depart for skiing
  • 3:30 pm – Wrap up skiing, visit a local onsen, apres and return to the hotel
  • 6:30 pm – Apres at hotel or local watering hole
  • 7:30 pm – Dinner at local restaurant

Costs included in the trip:

  • Transportation during the week
  • Lodging for seven nights
  • Breakfast for 7 mornings
  • Lift tickets when needed
  • All guide wages

Costs not included in the trip:

  • Transportation from country of origin to New Chitose Airport (CTS) Sapporo, Japan
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Onsen visits
  • Gratuity/tips for guides
  • Personal AT, telemark or split-board equipment. (RRA has Black Diamond skis and Chimera snowboards that can be used in Japan. Please enquire for specifics!)

More video showcasing the skiing, food and culture of Hokkaido from our 2019 trip!

Ski JaPOW! Photo Gallery

Reviews

FAQ

Online Reviews - 5 Stars

Why Choose RRA? - 20 years of doing it right! Since 2003, when rafting operations began, we have gone on to expand our operations into rock and ice climbing, canyoneering, guided ski touring, travel trips and outdoor education. We have hosted over 85,000 guests and spent over 110,000 days in the field! We are so proud that this has garnered 5-star rankings across all online review sites. Land or water our clients rave about the quality of our guides, the depth of their knowledge, their ability to teach and most importantly, how incredibly fun each is. We believe our past guest's comments make the decision easy!
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Your Safety is our number #1 concern

Since we started this journey in 2003 we have safely hosted 85,000+ kids and adults and spent over 100,000 days rafting, climbing, canyoneering and skiing in Utah and around the world. RRA guides are at a minimum state licensed, insured and hold first aid and CPR certifications. Many of our river guides hold additional certifications in swift water rescue and whitewater instruction. Many, though not all, of our rock, ski and canyoneering guides are AMGA certified for the terrain they guide.
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Quality Equipment

When running trips quality equipment is paramount. We are proud to be a 'Preferred Guide Partner" of Black Diamond. RRA replaces its equipment on a regular basis. This ensures all the gear required to keep you safe and having fun is in top-notch shape.
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Reputation

RRA has earned the reputation of a professionally ran, top quality guide service. We are a tight knit family run business. Once you adventure with RRA we guarantee you'll be back for more.
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Do I need a reservation

YES! To guarantee space on the trip of your choice, we recommend reservations, especially mid-summer and on holidays and weekends. In order to provide the type of trip the we have become known for we do limit the number of people on our trips and we do fill up. Make a reservation as soon as you have a good idea of when you want to ski or climb with us and you'll avoid disappointment. Feel free to call us about reservations at any time @ 1-877-259-4046 or email.
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About Age Limitations

Age limits are set for each of our trips to be within industry standards and in accordance with our insurance carrier. In some cases the published age is a guideline and people younger may participate. For trips with youth rate pricing we use the following guidelines. Youth Rate = 15 years and younger!
Adults = 16 years and up!
Some trips are priced on a per person basis regardless of age.
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Which Trip to Choose

We are thrilled to have the ability to offer such a wide variety or trips. We also realize that this can create confusion. We are a fantastic resource and look forward to helping you choose the trip that is perfect for you and your group. Please feel free to call or email with any questions you might have, we love to help. Often after a brief conversation with one of our staff the the answers become clear.
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What to Bring

Red River Adventures tries to make your trip with us as easy as possible! We will clearly outline what we will provide and let you know what you need to bring. Generally all necessary group equipment for you to take part in our trips is included. Please NOTE! Skis, ski boots, poles, ice climbing boots and personal clothing are NOT included in the cost of trips. Rentals are available and RRA will assist you in reserving any gear you might need. We will provide trip specific lists to assist you in bringing the right things.
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What Risks Are Involved

Red River Adventures has an unblemished safety record. We personally screen and train our employees vigorously each year. Our climbing, skiing and canyoneering guides are highly trained and many, though not all, are AMGA trained or certified for the terrian they guide. Our trips take place in rugged, remote "wilderness" settings. You should be in good general health to participate.
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Charter and Group Rates

Red River Adventures offers a group rate discount of 10% to groups of 10 or more. Additional rates reductions are available for school, club, church, or special-interest groups on some trips. We are happy to, when ever possible, customized trip lengths and itineraries. Please contact us for help in arranging your charter trip or for group rate information.
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What To Pack

Red River Adventures can provide:

  • Beacon
  • Probe
  • Shovel
  • Pack

Full AT setups are available to rent through our partnership with Black Diamond.
RRA will help coordinate rental in advance.

Ski Touring (recommended)

  • Big Puffy Coat)
  • Shell – Jacket/pants (GorTex with little to no insulation)
  • Insulating layer – synthetic puffy coat
  • Mid Layer – Synthetic or wool zip shirt
  • Base layers: Synthetic, wool or silk bottom, underwear and top
  • 2 pairs of gloves
  • Beanie and baseball cap
  • Buff
  • Wool or synthetic ski socks
  • Helmet
  • Googles
  • Bottle/thermos for hot tea
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Handwarmers/Toe warmers

General

We are always available to answer any questions you may have. A complete packing list will be emailed prior to your trip.

Reservations

Option #1 - Most of our Adventures can be booked by clicking the "Book Now" button for the trip you want.

Option #2 - For those trips that do not open a calendar Call 1-435-259-4046
or Email us through our Contact Page

Reservations are HIGHLY recommended! Many dates sell out far in advance!
A refundable payment is due to guarantee reservation.

Book Now!

Accepted Credit Cards

Cancellations

Full & Half Day Trips

  • 50% deposit due at time of reservation.
  • Balance is due and will be charged 7 days prior to departure.
  • Cancellation/changes made 7 days prior to departure are FREE!
  • Cancellation, partial or in full, within 7 days of departure will not be refunded or rescheduled.

Full & Half day - Large Group (14 or more)

  • 50% deposit due at time of reservation.
  • Balance is due and will be charged 14 days prior to departure.
  • Cancellation/changes made 14 days prior to departure are FREE!
  • Cancellation, partial or in full, within 14 days of departure will not be refunded or rescheduled.

Clinics, Courses, and Exams

  • 50% deposit due at time of reservation.
  • Balance is due and will be charged 30 days prior to departure.
  • Cancellation/changes made 30 days prior to departure are FREE!
  • Cancellation, partial or in full, within 30 days of departure will not be refunded or rescheduled.

International trips

  • A refundable deposit of 10% is required to hold space.
  • 120 days - 50% is due and will be charge to the card on file.
  • 60 days - 100% is due and will be charged to the card on file.
  • Cancellation 60 days prior to departure are FREE. A full refund will be given.
  • Cancellation, partial or in full, within 60 days of departure will not be refunded or rescheduled.

Europe

  • A non- refundable deposit of 25% is required to hold space.
  • 90 days - Balance is due and will be charged to the card on file.
  • Cancellation, partial or in full, within 90 days of departure will not be refunded or rescheduled.

Please Note: RRA recommends you insure your trip!

We HIGHLY recommend purchasing trip insurance. Please use Tin Leg or similar to insure your trip, course or clinic if you are not protected by your airline, credit card, or another third party.

Purchasing travel insurance no matter the size or length of your trip will protect against loss in the event of an unforeseen, or last-minute, change in circumstances.

Cancellations or changes for ANY reason, including Covid-19, inside our established cut-offs will not be refunded or rescheduled. Please consider protecting yourself by insuring your purchase!

General

RRA reserves the right to cancel any trip due to weather, insufficient bookings or any other circumstances beyond our control at anytime. RRA will make every effort to reschedule the date. Bookings that are unable to be rescheduled or are cancelled by RRA will receive a full refund.

Weather

Weather is part of the dynamic environment in which we operate. We may experience conditions that you do not consider ideal. If we determine that conditions are suitable for the activity you have booked and you instead wish to cancel/discontinue the trip, we will, whenever practical, end the trip at your request with no refund. If conditions are such that RRA deems it unwise to continue, we reserve the right to alter the itinerary, which may include, but may not be limited to, shortening of route or length of trip. We may also change venue or cancel the remainder of your trip. If, at time of cancellation, the trip is less than 1/2 complete, we will charge 50% of trip fee. If the trip is between 1/2 and completed, a full trip fee is charged.

Alcohol

Full and 1/2 Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to a scheduled trip. Climbing/Canyoneering trips. Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips.

River Rafting Reviews and Red River Adventure Testimonials!

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Mark Popelka
March 5, 2024

John, an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide led a backcountry tour for me today. It was a full on mountain adventure with extreme weather. My kind of day in the mountains. John is the epitome of what a guide should be. He is extremely personable, patient, fit, and a master of his profession. A Guide full of experience and knowledge. I learned an incredible amount of information today on mountain travel and avalanche related topics. He took the time to explain and ensure I understood the topics. He also shared tips and techniques that made my experience a 10 out of 10. I plan to hire John in the future. You can’t go wrong asking for John. He’s amazing!

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mark gregg
March 1, 2024

Carl is a consummate professional backcountry ski guide. I always learn a ton and have fun in the process. I'll be back!

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Anna Rust
February 28, 2024

Honestly one of the best classes I’ve take, Jake and Vic are both through educators and great guides. If you’re looking to take a AIARE course these guys are great! I left feeling more prepared to deal with avalanche problems and identifying risks in the backcountry.

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Steve Sherwood
February 12, 2024

I had a great time with John at Red River Adventures doing a ski tour yesterday. We skied around Cardiff Fork in the Wasatch, he’s a tremendous guide, such attention to detail, I’ve gone on nearly a dozen trips with him. He and Carl at Red River make a dynamic team. They do rock climbing, skiing, alpine climbing, river guiding, you name it they do it. Keep it up folks!

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Susan Sims
February 10, 2024

Victoria was fun and was able to adapt for what suited our time for the day. Appreciated the rescue sled tips.

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George Diver
February 2, 2024

Jake and Ben were professional, informative and extremely helpful. Would recommend to anyone who feels apprehensive about taking an avalanche safety course.

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Mike Martula
February 1, 2024

Amazing experience with Sam on my first back country experience

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Liam Doyle
January 29, 2024

Jake and Garth were both excellent instructors, and just a blast to hang out with for a weekend. It is super obvious they both care a ton about providing an impactful educational experience - but they also made the entire weekend very fun. Highly recommend.

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Lukasz Sewera
January 25, 2024

Great experience during our rescue course.

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Derek Wang
January 24, 2024

It was a blast. Brain was really skilled and thoughtful.

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Candice Bithell
January 20, 2024

Spent a day ice climbing with Red River. Excellent instruction, fun guide (ask for Brian!), all in all a great time. Will go again for sure! Thanks Red River!

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Lawler Kang
January 19, 2024

Out of random coincidence, Sam had led me up a trail last year and strongly suggested I take this course, which was AWESOME! The experience and passion she and Jake bring to getting humans back safely and stoked is unparalleled. And the resources they walk you through and make available are profound. Can’t recommend Red River and these two strongly enough. If you’re serious about backcountry, this is an absolute must. I also really liked the small class size. Made a big difference. Looking forward to practicing my beacon finding at the resort.

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Jonas Clem
January 9, 2024

Great day with Jake at Provo Canyon. Very skilled guides that go above and beyond. Highly recommend….

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Ryan Kelly
January 9, 2024

Alex was an awesome instructor. We had a great day going over all of the different avalanche rescue techniques.

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Anthony Torma
January 1, 2024

Amazing guides who are knowledgeable and charismatic. Took an AIARE 1 class through them and it was an amazing time. I learned so much!

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Mark Sims
December 18, 2023

Amazing experience with John and Garth in our Avi 1 class. They were great teachers and I feel confident in the skills I acquired through their instruction.

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David Johnson
December 11, 2023

Sam was a fantastic guide and instructor. Very skilled at building our skills in the backcountry!

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Daniel Mills-Thysen
December 11, 2023

John, Jeremy, and Garth are all awesome and taught a great course in a beautiful area. If you are taking AIRIE 1 and don't have skis/board or beacon/probe/shovel they will help you out and loan you what you need for the course!

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Rochelle Erskine
December 11, 2023

Sam delivered an awesome rescue course!

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christy mallak
September 4, 2023

I went on August 31st, Leaky was our guide. He was awesome and was very pleased with our white water rafting. Thanks so much

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Richard Cox
August 11, 2023

We did the full day with lunch and was extremely pleased! Our guide was outstanding, the trip was great and the food was delicious. Highly recommended.

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Kyle Drenckhahn
August 8, 2023

No need to waste time reading this review when you could already be on their website signing up, but I suppose it's your time to waste, so here's the deal. A couple weeks ago, my friend suggested we go rafting in Moab together. She had previously done a trip with Red River Adventures a while back and loved it, so it seemed like a safe bet for my inaugural float. Simple sign up, fair prices, and knowledgeable guides. Pretty much a no-brainer. It totally held up. We had a blast with our guide, the absolutely incredible Molly. Her witty humor and kindness were only matched by her knowledge of the area and of the river itself. Between the named rapids, of which she had complete and utter control over, she kept the group entertained with fun little facts about the local geography, wildlife, and surrounding community. It was an even better experience than I had hoped for. One and only one complaint: On our way back to our vehicles after the trip, Molly gave our group some recommendations for restaurants in the area, including burgers at Milt's. It sounded like the perfect place for my friend and I to grab a quick bite on our way out of town since we were running short on time, so we stopped by. They were "temporarily closed." Molly, burgers are on you next time I see ya. ;)

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Roland Ducomble
August 6, 2023

We had a great day of rafting. Very well organized. Thanks to our guide Kira, she very professional and entertaining. Lunch was very good thanks to Leaky. Overall a perfect day.

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Sam Mckellar
August 5, 2023

Best rafting trip we've been on, and certainly not our first. Highly recommend

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Liu Qian
August 3, 2023

Definitely a Great day on the River. Leaky kept us entertained the whole journey and there can be some swimming. We did the full day which lasts much longer on the River and had a free lunch.

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Elizabeth S
August 1, 2023

Had an awesome time rock climbing in Moab with Red River Adventures. Our guide, Ryan, was super cool and also professional and had safety as his #1 importance the whole time. Great temperatures and we were in the shade the whole time (did this approx 7:30am-12pm). Would definitely come again!

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Michael Myers
August 1, 2023

I had a blast!

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Gummi Bear
August 1, 2023

We enjoyed the rafting very much. We had a great time, and I especially enjoyed the swimming on the side of the boat portion. I loved the trip and highly recommend it.

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James Wojcik
July 31, 2023

Very relaxing and fun float. Class 1 and 2 rapids were obviously pretty easy but Molly, our guide, was great and the view was spectacular.

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Jacob Nizri
July 30, 2023

Great experience!!!

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Austin Adams
July 30, 2023

We had the best morning on the water with Red River! We did the half day rafting trip on the Colorado through the canyon. The scenery was amazing, our guide Ryan (and all the guides) was great, we had lots of time for swimming, and it was a great intro into whitewater for my younger son. Top notch organization!

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Dustin Farris
July 29, 2023

It was a lot of fun. I was not to sure what to expect but it was the best part of our trip. I would do the full day (I think its called 1/2 day). The information said it would be a bbq lunch but it was better than that. The lunch they provided was my favorite meal of our entire trip. Ryan was our guide and he did great and made it interesting and fun. 19/10 stars

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MK
July 27, 2023

We loved our experience at Red River Adventures! The guides were great - funny and provided lots of interesting facts along the way! Our kids age 12,10, 7 loved their first time white water rafting! Breathtaking views.

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Megan Kremser
July 26, 2023

My two kids (9 and 11 years old) did the full day white water rafting and morning Bow and Arrow canyoneering adventures. We had an awesome time and they are already to visit Moab again!

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Mckenna Evans
July 24, 2023

Very fun! The ride is a tad shorter than anticipated. I would go for the full day trip. Lots of chances to swim and generally goof around.

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Kristin Mathew
July 24, 2023

Dan was an amazing guide! Very down to earth and made us feel safe and comfortable at every step of the way.

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Erika Anderson
July 23, 2023

Had a great time!

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Alison Scott
July 22, 2023

Red River adventures did a great job with our large group of adults and teenagers! We’d definitely go with them again! And if you can, make sure you get Brendan as your guide, he’s the best!

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Ava Cox
July 22, 2023

My husband and I had a great time! Our guide, Kinsley, was amazing! She explained everything and make us feel safe and comfortable. The hike wasn't too strenuous and the views were spectacular! I'll definitely want to do this again next time we're in Moab.

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Emily Hatch
July 21, 2023

Awesome trip. The guides were so friendly and fun and also focused on safety. The lunch was incredible (chickpea curry!) and in addition to the gorgeous canyon red rock scenery we saw river otters and mountain goats. The length of the full trip was perfect and we wish we could do it again tomorrow.

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Brooke Casselberry
July 20, 2023

It was a great day on the river!

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Suzette Henschell
July 18, 2023

Shout out to Ryan who did a fantastic job leading our morning white water adventure. We had a great time. Highly recommend. Thanks again Ryan!

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Amy Miller
July 18, 2023

My husband and I decided to do the full day white water rafting trip at the end of June. The experience was fun and enjoyable. The entire team was kind, friendly and really seemed to care about everyone having a good experience. Things were very well organized but the highlight for us was our guide Olivia. She was awesome. She was very nice, funny and extremely knowledgeable of the area and the environment. Great experience and I would recommend this company and if you are lucky to have her, Olivia, as your guide.

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Bruce T
July 18, 2023

Competent guides, incredible scenery- just an awesome experience all around. The full guided trip seems like a bargain in retrospect. Our guide was Jonas and he did a hell of a job navigating us through some gnarly class 2-3 rapids during highwater (15-20k cfs).

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Cyndi Diaz
July 18, 2023

This was so amazing!! We loved the experience. Perfect for a family and you just can’t beat the scenery 🙌🏻

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bert ballet
July 17, 2023

We had a great trip! Mackenzie was a great guide, she was very pleasant and we felt very safe with her!

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Riley Heaton
July 15, 2023

Canyoneering was great! Ryan was the best. 2nd most handsome guide... I think... I didn't meet the other guides. But fr, he's pretty great

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lauren cooper
July 14, 2023

We had an amazing time on our first climb of the trip. We climbed at the Ice Cream Parlor with Kenzie, who was super cool and amazing. She was able to answer all of our questions about the area and provided a very positive experience for us

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Chase Koory
July 13, 2023

Ryan w/ Red River was a phenomenal guide on the Fishers Tower rafting trip! He led us thru the best rapids and shared some great stories. Red River provided a great lunch! Overall great experience

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Alex Winn
July 7, 2023

We had Adam as our guide for the rock of ages canyoneering trip. We had an excellent time! He really knew his stuff and we all had so much fun! Definitely recommend for anyone who wants to get into canyoneering but hasn’t tried it yet.