Go Rafting with Mountain Whitewater in 2018 | TripAdvisor Reviews
by Ben Costello, February 2018
2018 is going to be a great year to go rafting on the Cache La Poudre River with Mountain Whitewater. Don’t take our word for it, check out our great, independent reviews on tripadvisor. We think we are the best company on the Poudre River and so do 1,100+ others who posted Moutain Whitewater reviews on trip advisor after rafting with us.
Best trip Ever!!!
This was such an amazing experience!!! I highly recommend this company. It is completely evident they love what they do! They offer wetsuits, fleece, splash guards, gloves and booties to keep you warm! The guides are so fabulous! They are knowledgeable, fun and funny! Ben was awesome and even though I was nervous, he put me at ease. I was so impressed with the precision of the entire company. These people know what they are doing. They have safety boaters to be prepared for anyone who may end up in the river, rope throwers who are following on rivers edge. Photographers capturing the adventure! They have thought of everything!!! They are prepared for everything, so you can truly take in the epic experience of being on the great Cache la Poudre River! We had such a blast!!!
– Brandi B. from Fort Collins on 5/30/17
Book this trip!
We did the half day Poudre Plunge about 10 days ago. From the minute we arrived, I was impressed with this business. Extremely friendly staff, everyone went out of their way to make this a great day for all of us. The rafting was incredible! The water was high and fast, so we had the time of our life!! Our guide, Jed, was the best. He was encouraging, extremely knowledgeable and ensured we all had fun.
The most impressive thing about Mountain Whitewater Descents is their concern for customer safety. Mandatory wetsuits, an extra guide in a kayak and the bus driver on shore with safety ropes are a few of the extra precautions these guys take.
GO for the fun… book with them for the SAFETY.
– Buzz48 from Illinois on 6/11/17
AMAZING TIME WITH MOUNTIAN (sic) WHITEWATER DESCENTS
Six months ago when my family was planning our annual trip to Estes Park my father and sister asked if I was interested in Whitewater rafting and recommended MWD. They have been rafting multiple times with MWD and have had great experiences. We did the 12:15 Plunge trip on July 20th. From the moment we parked, we were greeted by a crew member cleaning gear and directed us in the right direction. We had already filled out waivers online which was a HUGE convince and were greeted/checked in with ease. Tracey came over and asked if we needed anything while we waited for the other groups to check in. She was extremely nice and set the mood for what was to be an EPIC day. Having worked as a Scuba instructor and ocean guide I know how safety briefings can either pull guest in more or bore them to where the information doesn’t soak in. Tracey guided us through the ins and outs of our trip and communitcated (sic) in a very relatable and clear way. It was not only informative but got me wicked stoaked (sic) to hit the water. After getting our gear (which was clean and dry) we loaded up on the bus to head to the water. On the bus Ian sat next to me and we had a blast exchanging adventure stories from our past. The process from checking in to actually getting in the raft was very organized and the whole crew demonstrated professinalism (sic) and a great deal of enthuasiam (sic) which seemed to help rally the not so sure members of in the group. We met Josh who was to be our guide down the river. He was a blast from the start. He asked our group if we were up for some fun (taking more challenging routes) which all of us in the group were stoaked (sic) for. Once under way Josh tweaked a few small things here and there and got us all paddeling (sic) together and laughinng (sic) in no time. I have surfed, skied, snow boarded, and paddle boarded all over the world so my bar for adventure is set pretty high. I’ll just say that with Josh as our guide I was hooked after the first set of rapids. I also really enjoyed the slower moments when he played tour guide and told us about interesting land marks and nature stuff. Throughout the trip (sic) the laughs and excitement continued. Something I really enjoyed is seeing how the guides teased each other and had a good time along with the guest. It builds confidence in guest (sic) when they see the person guiding them through class 4 rapids is comfortable and having good time as well. The one time people from another raft “took a swim” Josh and the other guides immediately got the guest back onto rafts and kept control of the situation in a very calm manner. After our legendary trip down the Poudre we all loaded up on the bus for the short ride back. We were given clear direction on where to put our gear and how to see our photos and invited to check out the Pub for a refreshing beverage. The whole crew joined us in the Pub where we got to mingle and talk story. I pretty much decided that MWD is the next company I want to work for after talking to Tracey and Josh. My overall experiance (sic) outstanding and I took all the fliers I could to put in our family cabin we sometimes rent out. I would recommend this company to anyone wanting to have a safe, amazing, whitewater rafting experiance (sic). I will be back for sure the next opportunity I get.
– Jeremy H. from Kansas City on 7/21/17
DON’T MISS THIS EXPERIENCE.
This was my families FAVORITE thing we did on vacation. A year before we went on another rafting trip, but this was a far better experience. We will return again and again on future vacations. The staff is EXCEPTIONAL!!! You won’t be disappointed with any guide you are assigned. What a special group of people. Great place to hang out after the rafting trip. The family memories we created that day will stay with us a lifetime.
This is a very well run business. You can tell they care about your experience. You can tell the staff treat each other like family and welcome others in. Every interaction from checking in, getting our gear, rafting, the ride back, the owner, the bartender, our personal guide (special shout out to Nate) well exceeded any expectation I had for the day.
You don’t want to miss this opportunity. They are uniquely special people.
– Tammy L. from San Diego on 8/8/2017
Ski the Snow of the Poudre River Basin
by Ben Costello, March 2017
Anyone who has spent time at Mountain Whitewater and Paddler’s Pub may have noticed the motto for Paddler’s Pub: “Ski the Snow, Raft the Rivers, then Turn that Water into Beer!” It is our fun way of looking at the hydrologic cycle here in Colorado. Mountain Whitewater fits into the “Raft the Rivers” part of the motto. Paddler’s Pub facilitates the “Water into Beer” part of the motto, but what about the “Ski the Snow” part? The guide staff at Mountain Whitewater spends time during the winter season skiing and snowboarding the mountains in the Poudre River basin.
Where is the Cache La Poudre River Basin?
Located in North Central Colorado, the Cache La Poudre River basin is part of the larger South Platte River basin. It includes mountains near Cameron Pass on Highway 14 and parts of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Overall, there are around 484 square miles of land that drain into the Poudre River basin.
The vast majority of the water that flows through the Cache La Poudre River comes from snow that melts in the basin. So, the folks that raft with Mountain Whitewater every summer, are floating on the same snow that the guides ski during the winter time. This map, courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey shows where the Poudre River basin is within the State.
Skiing in the Poudre Canyon
The Poudre Canyon area provides some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Fort Collins area. There are a multitude of different trails and peaks suitable for backcountry skiing in the basin that provide for an even greater connection to the river for the guides.
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding provide a great way to have fun, enjoy being in nature and to say in shape for rafting season. It also allows for the guides to have a better picture of how much snow is in the mountains. Understanding that it is an indicator of the water we will get to raft in the spring. What can I say, we just cannot get enough of our beautiful Cache La Poudre River water!
Click here for a video of Guides skiing the South Diamond
Photo and information credit to USGS from https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3037/
Reasons to Paddle the Poudre River in 2017
Why we all need to spend more time being active in the outdoors this year.
by Ben Costello, January 2017
One of the most popular resolutions people set each year is to be more active, or to take it a step further, to be more active in the outdoors. For many of us who live in Colorado, outdoor activity is a lifestyle. One that we either grew-up with or moved here for. Either way, it is hard to imagine life without our favorite outdoor pursuits, so we don’t need reasons to paddle. For others, including many Coloradans, outdoor activities are not a part of life. Many outdoor activities can be intimidating to beginners, can be expensive to get into or are just not accessible due to where you live. Rafting is a great way to get outside and be active because it is beginner friendly, affordable and available to anyone who lives in or visits Colorado.
Here are 6 reasons to paddle the Poudre River this year:
1) Paddling is a healthy way to maintain fitness
- Paddling is a great cardio exercise and a whole body workout. If you need reasons to paddle, this is a great one. You will use your arms, shoulders, back and abdominals to paddle and your legs and abs to hold yourself into the raft. But don’t worry, there is some down time to rest between rapids.
2) Paddling is a great way to spend time with loved ones
- Paddle rafting is a team sport. It requires working together and communicating with your friends and family to navigate the river successfully. Plus, phones don’t work in the river, so you get time to enjoy being active without distractions from technology.
3) Paddling helps to overcome the your fears
- Rushing whitewater and huge splashes to the face are not something most people face regularly. With help from professionally trained river guides, most anyone can conquer class III and IV rapids they would not have otherwise. These experiences of conquering fears by being taken out of our comfort zone can give us the confidence to branch out in other parts of our lives.
4) Paddling is a great way to experience nature
- Along with being healthy, connecting or re-connecting with our natural environment is a big part of many resolutions. There is no better way to experience flora and fauna and to feel like a part of nature than paddling a river. There is just something about going with the flow of a river that connects us to nature. After all, rivers are regarded as the lifeblood of our natural ecosystems.
5) Paddling both relaxes and excites
- The river provides a wonderful juxtaposition of elation and refreshment. Rapids provide for the rush of adrenaline and the excitement of anticipating what is next. Calm sections in between the rapids allow for a moment of relaxation and time to appreciate your surroundings.
6) Paddling creates unique and memorable experiences
- One of the best reasons to paddle this year is very simple, it is FUN! One of my favorite parts of being a raft guide is people telling me, “That was the most fun thing we have done all summer.” Paddle rafting creates memories that will last a lifetime. Be careful, you may just find your new passion in life.
Raft Guide Training with Mountain Whitewater
Whitewater raft guide training offers the chance to learn the skills needed to be a certified guide in the Sate of Coloradoand the chance to earn a job with the best rafting outfitter on the Cache La Poudre River.
by Ben Costello, January 2016
This year’s raft guide training will start on Monday, May 16, 2016. The first week of the course will consist of classroom style training at Mountain Whitewater in the mornings with on-river training in the afternoons. These classroom sessions will consist of a compilation of videos, slides, handouts and lecture.
The following weeks of the course consist of mostly on-river training. We will take two trips per day, seven days per week to complete the state mandated number of hours required to be a guide. There is a Swiftwater rescue training and a CPR and First Aid course during this period of guide training. We will be doing some intense training so that we can get you on the river as soon as possible.
Class Schedule for the 2016 Raft Guide Training Course
- Monday, May 16th – Paperwork, Employee Handbook, Equipment & Gear Rigging
- Tuesday, May 17th – River Currents, River Features, Paddle Commands, rating scales
- Wednesday, May 18th – Running the Rapids, Safety, Safety Talk, River Hazards, Poudre Bloopers Video, Slammin’ Salmon Video
- Thursday, May 19th – River Rescue, Emergency Procedures, Heads-Up Video, Rope Rescue
- Friday, May 20th – Miscellaneous, Outdoor Impacts, How to be a Better Guide
Other Requirements
- Colorado State law requires that guides have First Aid and CPR certifications. Classes are usually between $50 and $80.
- The Mountain Whitewater Swiftwater Rescue class will also be a required part of guide training. The cost of the Swiftwater Rescue course is included in the training investment.
- The State of Colorado requires that you have 50 hours on river time before you can guide commercially.
- Mountain Whitewater will require that you have 100+ hours.
- We will have a Poudre rapids check-off sheet that will require all trainees to run all of the rapids of the Poudre Plunge at least 5 times.
- Once complete, if deemed appropriate, there will be a check-off run, top to bottom, with customers and a trainer in the boat. If all goes well, you will now be part of the Mountain Whitewater team.
Training Investment
The cost for the course is $395 (half is returned after the second fulltime season working with Mountain Whitewater, half returned after the third fulltime season working with Mountain Whitewater).
This cost covers the classroom sessions, dry land sessions, equipment used during training (PFD, wetsuit, booties, splash jacket, and helmet), swiftwater rescue class and transportation to and from the Cache la Poudre River Canyon.
Being a river guide is a multidimensional job. It is physically and mentally demanding, days can be long with exposure to the elements. It is also very rewarding and tons of fun. We are looking for people who can fulfill those needs. Ask around…Mountain Whitewater has the best trained guides you will find. Call 970-419-0917 if interested or email contacts@raftmw.com.
Summer Memories: A Reason to be Thankful
At Mountain Whitewater, we are privileged to be able to help create and share life-long positive memories with our guests while traveling the Poudre River.
By Ben Costello, November 2015
As we approach the end of the year and the weather begins to turn colder we tend to start to think back about the past year. We remember all the fun things we experienced. We recall the time we were able to spend with friends and family. We relive the memories of our adventures. We remind ourselves of the challenges we faced and how we were able to overcome those challenges. The end of the year also brings us the holiday season were we reflect on the things in our lives we are most thankful for. As I look back on 2015, it is obvious that we have a lot to be thankful for at Mountain Whitewater.
We are thankful to operate on the only “Wild and Scenic River” in Colorado. The Cache La Poudre is truly a special place and is a perfect setting to create 
wonderful and lasting memories. We are thankful for the community in which we live. Fort Collins is a fantastic city full of people who share our love of the outdoors and value spending time in nature. We are thankful for our fantastic staff. Mountain Whitewater would not be the same without the eclectic, caring, fun-loving employees who love sharing their river experiences with others. Most of all, we are thankful for all the amazing guests who come to Mountain Whitewater for a summer adventure. We continually strive to provide an educational, entertaining and rewarding experience while traveling with our guests. We are thankful to create memories that will last a lifetime.
My favorite memory from this past summer occurred during high-water in June. There were several couples who rode in the raft I was guiding, one couple on their anniversary. The weather was beautiful that day, mostly sunny, but not too warm. We had a successful run with lots of splashes and an adrenaline rush when one person briefly exited the raft. We saw a deer on the riverbank and even an eagle searching for a meal. After the trip, I sat with the anniversary to have a beer while discussing the trip. The part of the day that I remember most was part of this conversation. The couple told me that this trip will be there most memorable anniversary yet and that they hope to come back for next years celebrations as well. It was very satisfying for me to get such a complement.
Here are just a few quotes our guests shared with us about their memories form this past summer:
“Could Not Have Been a Better Experience, The staff at Mountain Whitewater delivered an unforgettable rafting experience for our family.” -Ross from Springfield, MO
“The whole family agreed this was the best activity we did on our trip to Colorado and MWD was definitely the best choice…They created camaraderie between the people on the different rafts and had us all laughing together.” -BeachSwan
“Had one of the most perfect experiences. The guides were very professional, knowledgable, fun and safe…Our children enjoyed themselves immensely and have not stopped talking about the day.” -Nik from Manchester, UK
“We have participated in numerous family activities but undoubtedly Mountain Whitewater ranks at the top as one of our best family outings, ever! Luckily, we have lots of memories thanks to the video of us as we cruised down the Poudre taken by the staff photographer. ..Thank you all at Mountain Whitewater’ staff for a magical, spectacular, action-packed day! Paddle High Five!” -TMA5280 from Denver, CO
Check us out on Trip Advisor to read more testimonials from our fantastic guests! We would love to hear more about your summer memories with Mountain Whitewater as well, so please share with us on Trip Advisor, Facebook or Google+.
Thanks you everyone who contributed to our memories during the summer of 2015. We will look forward to seeing your on the river once again hope that the Poudre River will remain as the inspiration for more great summer memories.
Reflections from the Office of Mountain Whitewater
The summer is what I look forward to. Sun shinning, green grass growing, flowers blooming, and most of all the river flowing. This is my second year at Mountain Whitewater and I couldn’t imagine a better place to work. Working here last season opened my eyes to how truly beautiful the Cache la Poudre River is. My passion for the water has grown exponentially since rafting for my first time and learning to kayak. I can’t think of a more peaceful yet thrilling experience out there. The beauty of the canyon and the roar of the river combines for the ultimate adventure. Every day while I am in the office booking trips a little piece of me is jealous, but mostly I am excited to get to share this river with new friends.
-Anna Poindexter
Find Your Passion, Find Your Energy, Fuel Your Life
Kemper has been a guide on the Cache la Poudre, North Platte, and Colorado River for 14 years. His passion is rafting, it fuels his energy for adventure. Kemper is always full of life.
What carries people to the top? What makes them take risks, go the extra mile, and do whatever it takes to achieve their goals? It isn’t talent. It’s Passion. Passion is more important than a plan. Passion creates fire. It provides fuel. I have yet to meet a passionate person who lacked energy. As long as the passion is there, it doesn’t matter if they fail. It doesn’t matter how many times they fall down. It doesn’t matter if others are against them or if people say they cannot succeed. They keep going and make the most of whatever talent they posses. They are talent-plus people and do not stop until they succeed.
-John C. Maxwell, Talent is never enough
Tales from the Rookies-those who were not offered a job
“I have to quit training. My muscles are too big.”
Cockiness and excuses are bad traits by themselves, in combination they are even worse (but funny!).
Tales from the Wild-Crow Not the Best Meal
According to the Knight-Ridder News Service, the inscription on the metal bands used by the U.S. Department of the Interior to tag migratory birds has been changed. The bands used to bear the address of the Washington Biological Survey, abbreviated Wash. Biol. Surv. until the agency received the following letter from an Arkansas camper:
Dear Sirs: While camping last week I shot one of your birds. I think it was a crow. I followed the cooking instructions on the leg tag and I want to tell you it was Horrible! The bands are now marked Fish and Wildlife Service. These should illustrate why it is important to reacquaint people with the wilderness.
Risk Managment
Everywhere I went I tried to learn, assimilating the positive qualities of various employers, even if I didn’t admire all their traits. I learned from Raiders owner Al Davis, the man who fired me four games into the 1989 season. When I was around him, I would ask myself, “why has he won three Super Bowls? Why?” I knew why when I left the Raiders.
Preparation. He left no stone unturned. He knew personnel so much better than anyone else in the league, it wasn’t even a contest…He was thinking football all the time. He could never let it go. He was always wondering what he could do to improve his organization. It worked for a very long time – up until some people realized what he was doing, caught him, and passed him…. Learning from experience – others and yours – is a vital lesson of life… And not only should you study their successes, but you also should study their failures. You should learn from their mistakes so you don’t wind up making those same mistakes yourself.
-Mike Shanahan
