Stand Up Paddleboarding
3 hours
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
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from
C$149
per adult
Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams
Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams
4.5
Boat ToursEquipment HireStand Up PaddleboardingKayaking & Canoeing
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Discover Whistler's original summer activity the legendary River of Golden Dreams and scenic Alta Lake – The flat water river is more than just a float, it’s an Exploring Adventure. Spectacular views of mountain peaks, Beaver, Eagles, Osprey, Heron’s and even Black Bears are regular sights that will have you eagerly wondering what’s around the next bend. Unlike an amusement park ride River of Golden Dreams trips allow you to be an active participant, one of the reasons people keep coming back to paddle the river. In the spring the water levels can be high and moving though always flat and no rapids. By mid-summer water levels are gentle. By late summer the beaver start rebuilding their dams creating pools to paddle in. Guides are recommended, though experienced river paddlers go unguided. Our River trips have limited availability and often sell out, please pre book to assure your spot. Located at Lakeside Park minutes from Whistler Village.
Tours and Tickets by Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams
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(2 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
148 reviews
Excellent
104
Very good
26
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
11
cyberkimbo2017
London, UK11 contributions
Our group of 2 adults and a 12 yo and 8yo had to abort 1/3 of the way through our trip (of course, with no refund) as the canoe was too hard to manoeuvre against the current and through the reeds and bends. We could tell that the rest of the trip would be more of a trial than a fun holiday trip so decided to call it quits whilst we could.
Whilst a test of our teamwork and physical strength, we feel we could have been better advised and put into a double kayak (for our 8yo) and two single kayaks, given how hard the canoe was to manage vs the kayak, which we are used to using. I am a slight 5ft nothing and my husband a normal 5ft 10 so perhaps this made it trickier.
So be cautious and question / judge yourself carefully rather than expecting that staff will advise you appropriately.
Whilst a test of our teamwork and physical strength, we feel we could have been better advised and put into a double kayak (for our 8yo) and two single kayaks, given how hard the canoe was to manage vs the kayak, which we are used to using. I am a slight 5ft nothing and my husband a normal 5ft 10 so perhaps this made it trickier.
So be cautious and question / judge yourself carefully rather than expecting that staff will advise you appropriately.
Written August 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quest61616394428
3 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Family
We did a guided trip down the river of golden dreams with our two boys 20 and 18. Have done a fair amount of calm water kayaking before and this was great for us, starting off with a gentle lake paddle and then down the river seeing beaver dams and even a bear. The two guides Eden and Benjie were great, enthusiastic and supportive to those needing a little more help. We would really recommend doing this trip! Just be prepared for a bit of carrying kayaks if the river is low, but this didn’t detract from the trip.
Written July 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen
9 contributions
We were a little anxious about this trip as we had not kayaked for years!
But we did not need to worry, we had the most enjoyable time. The guys from Backroad were really kind and helpful….fully explained to us what we should expect and helped us in and out of the water.
We had perfect weather, the scenery was beautiful and the water level was just right for our ability.
You do have to get out of the boat a couple of times to get over the beaver dams but it’s not difficult, just causes lots of laughs!
Would highly recommend, definitely take your water shoes!
Thank you again guys….
But we did not need to worry, we had the most enjoyable time. The guys from Backroad were really kind and helpful….fully explained to us what we should expect and helped us in and out of the water.
We had perfect weather, the scenery was beautiful and the water level was just right for our ability.
You do have to get out of the boat a couple of times to get over the beaver dams but it’s not difficult, just causes lots of laughs!
Would highly recommend, definitely take your water shoes!
Thank you again guys….
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BackroadsWhistler
Lots of laughs!") now that's what we like to hear. Glad you had a great time. cheers
Written September 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mike m
1 contribution
Sep. 2022 • Couples
Stay away 10 - 15 beaver dams you must drag your canoe over extremely dangerous this time of year. We are 60÷ were not informed by the employees the extremely dangerous conditions. When I told the driver what happened he just got in the return bus crank up the radio ask him to trunk radio down he said no I looked at the other customers and they also were like what is going on. Poor trained in customer service. We left are keys for the rental car at there office for safety the employe sped off. Went to the office and found that it was closed. Had to take taxi back to hotel. A compete nightmare. We did contact after hours phone number and reteved the keys and another taxi ride back. Lack of training is obvious. This was the worst possible experience.....
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BackroadsWhistler
HI Michael. Thanks for taking my call. From what we discussed it would have been better for your wife and yourself to have enjoyed a lake paddle rather than do the river.
Yes the river orientation which you took part in covers seasonal conditions , like the 8 beaver dams, and low water (this time of year) and though we host many guests 60+ your suggestion that we re-emphasize
ours is not an amusement park ride it’s Adventure Tourism where guests should be agile enough to get in and out of their boats in late season conditions is well taken.
You and I had a good chuckle when we spoke about your ‘powerful personality’. and how our driver responded. I’m happy to hear our manager came back in and retrieved your keys and you made it home safe and sound.
Cheers
Eric
Written September 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Portia C
4 contributions
Sep. 2022
We took a couple paddle boards out in the morning and it was so much fun. Awesome opportunity to choose your own type of experience, either by relaxing and enjoying the scenery or mucking around with friends.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy H
Hertford, UK38 contributions
Aug. 2022
We (a family with boys aged 14 & 15) hired a canoe and two kayaks and chose to self-guide. The girl from Yorkshire who checked us in was lovely and even offered some plastic bags to keep our phones dry. You could hire dry bags and we borrowed some wet shoes.
We were given a good induction and then set off on our travels. There was a section where you had to portage yourself but there were plenty of trolleys and a lovely chap took the trolley back for you.
Paddling with two teenage boys is not calm, we made good progress and stopped for a dip in the water. The water was so clear.
Other people saw a bear in the water but I think we may have been too noisy for him.
When we arrived at the end the bus was there ready to take us back.
We were given a good induction and then set off on our travels. There was a section where you had to portage yourself but there were plenty of trolleys and a lovely chap took the trolley back for you.
Paddling with two teenage boys is not calm, we made good progress and stopped for a dip in the water. The water was so clear.
Other people saw a bear in the water but I think we may have been too noisy for him.
When we arrived at the end the bus was there ready to take us back.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
João Felipe
1 contribution
Sep. 2022 • Friends
We did a guided kayak tour with Marley and Megan and loved it. The guides were really cool and helpful and made our tour much more enjoyable. Our tour took around 3 hours and at this time of the year it’s relatively easy as the river levels are low (your biggest worry should be getting beached and not falling in the river!). We went in a group with 8 people and everyone enjoyed it very much :)
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally K
6 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Couples
We had a great trip down the river with our guide Sage who helped us navigate the more challenging part of the river. Most of the trip was relaxing and easy going - a great way to spend a morning in Whistler. Sage was fantastic and able to give us information about the local area that we paddled through.
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martine C
1 contribution
Jul. 2022
Very difficult, a lot of water currant, no guidance and or supervision.
It was not to our expectations.
It was not to our expectations.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BackroadsWhistler
I’m saddened you did not hire one of our guides and purchased an unguided (unsupervised) trip. We suggested you view the fast section of the river and portage it if you did not feel comfortable paddling it. You elected to paddle the fast section.
1000’s of others heed our advice and find out why this river is so magical. I hope you can come another time and experience this magic.
Written July 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephanie G
1 contribution
Jun. 2022 • Friends
10/10 experience. The staff were super friendly and worked together really well to get us organized, on the water, and picked up at the end. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Whistler this summer!
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Stephgalitzine
thanks so much for your positive review. Great to hear from our guests that our crew is looking after you all
Eric
Written July 9, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anne W
4 contributions
Hi, we’re coming to Whistler July 19-20. We know we’d like to rent kayak’s for 3 adults and 1 twelve yr old. We’re considering the 3 hour tour as well. How far in advance to we need to reserve boats? Also, how far in advance to we need to book a tour if we decide to do that?
Backroads Whistler
Whistler, Canada20 contributions
Hi Anne
The River of Golden Dreams is special. if you have the time do it for sure. It's not physically demanding as you're going with the flow of the river. By 12 years old most kids are fine in a single kayak. River trips sell out. best to book well in advance. i.e. it's July 12 and you are coming in a week.... good time to book it would be this weekend of before.
hope to see you. cheers
Eric
awillmann
Langley, Canada
How many hours is this excursion? If you've never Kayaked, would this be a good first time experience?
Backroads Whistler
Whistler, Canada20 contributions
Hi awillmann
When we designed this trip we realized most of our guests would be inexperienced paddlers hence the 3 hour round trip.
This gives them plenty of time to get used to the boat in the lake before heading to the river.
Tamas is correct that if you actually paddle down the river as opposed to float and steer you will do it much faster. There are plenty of options for those that want to go out and get the exercise, i..e paddle around Alta Lake the long route or head down into Green Lake, paddle around a bit then head back upstream 20ish minutes. Hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions you have.
Catalina B
13 contributions
HI Do I need to make a reservation? We come from Mexico and we don´t want yto miss out. We are 5 (kids age: 13, 11 and 8) we are going to be in Whistler from the 8th of August to the 15th
Backroads Whistler
Whistler, Canada20 contributions
Hello Catalina
Thanks for your question.
Yes it is best to make a reservation. In August water levels are good for your families ages. The 13 year old is likely strong enough to paddle a single kakak on their own. The 11 and 8 year olds might go in a canoe with the adults. Hiring a guide would be a good idea. You can book online at backroadswhistler let us know if you need any help with this. cheers Eric
Backroads Whistler
Whistler, Canada20 contributions
Hi Wouter G
Eric here, I own Backroads Whistler. Would you contact me to discuss your trip? Tripadvisor will not let me post our email address
We have lots of options for guests that are good paddlers like you are and paddle the river quick like you did.
Our departure orientation staff should have let you know these options before you departed. Did we miss this?
I endeavour to provide a quality operation and value packed programs. Let's talk about how we can sort this out. I think we can
cheers
Eric
Backroads Whistler
Whistler, Canada20 contributions
HI Juli and Bergie I have no idea why TA has my question to Walter G in your inbox or whereever it is.
thanks for coming on our river trip, I'll try to figure this out
cheers
Eric