bIG sKY moNTANA fISHING AT bIG sKY rESORT ON lAKE leVINSKY

8/17/2019

Fishing on Lake Levinsky with Kids at the Big Sky Resort in Montana

Fishing on Lake Levinsky at the Big Sky Resort

Take the kids fishing in Big Sky Montana! Fishing with the kids doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Whether you want to fly fish or use bait we can help you with a memorable experience. Rentals and inexpensive gear to purchase are readily available in Big Sky at the boathouse at Lake Levinsky. Open Daily June through September 10am to 6pm.
Lake Levinsky offers families the opportunity to catch lots of fish using worms, lures and on the fly. The lake is walking distance from most hotels at Big Sky resort. We also have boat rentals on the lake to make access easier. Give us a call or email anytime and we will get you into the fish!

http://www.raftmontana.com

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In Montana, you're either a Cats fan or a Griz fan....

8/1/2019

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When it comes to football in Montana, you're either a Cats fan or a Griz fan. We have staff and friends on both sides of that line and there's nothing like a little fun rivalry. Every Fall these two teams come together on a brisk fall day and battle it out in the states biggest football game. In preparation of this day the MSU Cats football team partakes in a special training and team building camp featuring facilitator's from the Special Forces and a whitewater team building exercise featuring some friendly competitions and a 2 mile down river raft race. The reason for this; beat the Griz! From your friends at Geyser Whitewater Expeditions, go Cats! Good luck this season!

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Geyser Whitewater Expeditions' Tips for your first Whitewater Rafting Trip on the On the Gallatin River near Big Sky

7/24/2019

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There are lots of exciting adventures available when visiting Yellowstone Park and Big Sky Montana, but whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River with Geyser Whitewater is a true bucket list item that tens of thousands of guests participate in while visiting Yellowstone Park and Big Sky. You’ve decided that you’re ready to experience the rush of paddling down the whitewater of the Gallatin River, splashing and laughing with friends and family. When preparing for your first whitewater rafting adventure, there are numerous beginner rafting tips that can help you be prepared. By understanding what to expect and how to stay safe, you will be ready to go on the rafting trip of a lifetime!

Tips for Preparing for A Gallatin River Whitewater Rafting Trip

Tip #1: Listen Closely to Your Whitewater Rafting Guide
Probably the most important tip is to pay special attention to everything your guide has to say. Our raft guides on the Gallatin River are highly trained river-lovers who are committed to making your trip as safe and fun as possible.

Before you head out, your raft guide will talk to the group about safety tips and what to expect. Be sure to listen closely to this introduction as they will tell you what you need to know before you head out on your river adventure.

Once you’re on the raft, continue to listen to your guide. They will tell you when and how to paddle, if you need to lean to one side of the raft to keep everything balanced, and even what to do if a paddler should happen to slip out of the raft.

What’s more, your guides are personable and knowledgeable individuals who will share interesting tidbits about the Montana wilderness and history of the regions that you paddle through. These stories are a great part of a raft trip!

Tip #2: Always Wear Your Life Jacket and Helmet
At every moment when you’re on the river, your life jacket and helmet need to be secured. Before you step onto the raft, ensure that they both feel snug and comfortable. If you need any assistance making sure that your safety equipment is on and fitting properly, ask our staff to help you.

Tip #3: Be Sure to Review Our Confirmation Email on What to Wear
While there isn’t much that you need to do to prepare for your river float trip, the one thing that you should check out before you head over is our confirmation email. You want to make sure that you bring what you need to make your trip an enjoyable one. This includes:

A bathing suit or workout clothing
Sunscreen
Sunglasses, we have inexpensive straps in our shop to secure them.
Secure, comfortable footwear. You can rent wetsuit booties for only $3 if you don't want to deal with wet shoes.
Water bottle
A change of clothing/dry clothing for after the trip
We provide wetsuits, bookies and splash tops free of charge!
If you happen to forget any of the above, don’t worry! We have most everything that you could need for purchase at our headquarters.

Tip #4: Keep Your Hands on the T-Grip
The end of your paddle has what is known as a T-grip. It is absolutely essential that you always keep one of your hands over the T-grip. One of the most common injuries that can occur whitewater rafting is injuring another rafter by taking your hand off of the end of your paddle. If this happens when you go through one of the Gallatin River's rapids, the T-grip can end up making contact with another rafter.

Tip #5: Wear Sunscreen
Day trips on the Gallatin River in sunny Montana carry the danger of sunburns. Do yourself a favor and wear waterproof sunblock to protect yourself from the powerful rays of the sun. It is easy to get burned at elevation!

Tip #6: Hydrate
Raft trips are a great combination of nature, scenery, and exercise, and as such, require ample hydration. Warm weather and physical exhaustion can happen, and you want to keep yourself hydrated. Bring a water bottle with you so you can bring it on the raft.

Tip #7: Don’t Panic
While whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River. There might be times when the river shells out some surprises. Maybe you weren’t prepared for a rapid or your raft gets stuck on a rock. In these situations, the key is to stay calm and listen for instruction from your guide. When you’re calm, your mind and body will be more capable of listening and doing what you need to do to keep yourself and others safe.

Tip #8: Have Fun!
While you want to be sure to pay attention to safety and prepare yourself well for your day trip, the most important part is to relax, enjoy, and have a good time! Rafting is a great way to escape the city, exercise, and let go of any stress that your day job might carry. Let yourself be fully present and enjoy the time spent on the river.

Commonly Asked Questions
1. Can I Go Rafting if I Can’t Swim?
You can go whitewater rafting if you don’t know how to swim, but having the ability to swim is always recommended. Let’s clarify. Everyone wears a Personal Floatation Device (or PFD) otherwise known as a life jacket, but it’s only designed to help you float. On the Gallatin River's more adventurous tours, if you find yourself out of the raft then simply floating won’t necessarily bring you to safety – it’s best to swim to safety. Milder trips on the Gallatin River see smaller waves and better conditions for those who aren’t the best swimmers. Being able to swim gives a rafter confidence. So, if you slip out of the raft but you have some swimming skills, it’ll make your swim a lot less stressful.

2. How do You Prepare for River Rafting?
There isn’t much that you need to do to prepare for your whitewater rafting adventure on the Gallatin river. Many of our first-time rafters just show up on the day of the trip with a change of clothes. We encourage rafters to read our guest responsibility info to learn more about the sport. Be sure to check out the information provided in the confirmation email and on https://wwwraftmontana.com.

3. Is White Water Rafting Dangerous?
White water rafting on the Gallatin River near Big Sky certainly has inherent risk associated with it, but then so do all outdoor adventure activities. Of course, the Gallatin river is under the control of mother nature, not us, so it is important to be respectful of this and take every step to stay as safe as possible. This includes selecting an appropriate trip, listening to your raft guide, wearing your safety equipment, and paddling when and how you’re instructed to.

If anything goes awry, every one of our guides has training in rafting and water safety. In fact, our guides at Geyser Whitewater Expeditions have certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Swift Water Rescue.

4. How Do I Stay in the Raft When White Water Rafting?
No one wants to fall out of the raft when white water rafting on the Gallatin River. Fortunately, if you listen to the instructions that your raft guide gives you before and during your trip, the chances of this happening are reduced. You will want to keep your feet secured in the raft where you’re instructed to, and paddle when you’re told to.

Listening to your guide is the key to staying in the raft!

Are You Ready?
At Geyser Whitewater Expeditions, we offer whitewater raft trips designed for the first timer and the adventurous alike. With full-day and half-day excursions from Big Sky Montana, we have great options for you. Give us a call if you would like to experience the joy of paddling down the Gallatin River! If it's fun we do it!

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Watch this raft take the perfect line through House rock Rapid on the Gallatin River

7/24/2019

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Whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River, near Big Sky with Geyser Whitewater Expeditions! House Rock rapid is one of the most fun places on the main whitewater stretch on the Gallatin River. It is near the beginning of the section of river known as the "Mad Mile." This stretch is so named because the rapids are closely spaced and require plenty of maneuvering to navigate smoothly.

You can get a great view of the rapid from the road. It's a popular place for people to stop and watch the rafters and kayakers go through. If you are driving through Gallatin Canyon on your way to Bozeman or Yellowstone be sure to stop and check it out.

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Whitewater rafting near West YEllowstone on the Gallatin River in BIg Sky MOntana

7/5/2019

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The best water levels in years and fantastic weather are making for some of the best rafting we've had lately! Join us for a Gallatin River rafting trip. We have rafting trips available everyday, all day usually at 9:30 , 1:30 and 4:00.

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Activities for kids 5 and younger

7/3/2019

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We know how hard it is around here to find activities if you have kids 5 and younger. Many of the activities aren't available. Fear not, we are here to help. Visitors with young families can still find plenty to do!

Lake Levinsky- Pedal paddle boats are available for rent at Lake Levinsky at the Big Sky Resort. Featuring Lone Peak as a stunning backdrop, Lake Levinsky has a sandy beach and Adirondack chairs for relaxing. The fishing is the best family fishing around. There are life jackets to fit all. The Family Adventure Card from Geyser Whitewater allows a family of four, unlimited use of the Lake for a week. It is only $89.00
www.raftmontana.com/boating-at-lake-levinsky-big-sky-resort.html

Scenic Chairlift Ride- The name says it all. Contact Big Sky Resort at 995-5769 for details. It's a blast!

Gemstone Mining at Yellowstone Aerial Adventures- Going to Yellowstone? Stop by the zipline adventure park and do some gemstone mining! It is completely fun with young kids. Allow about 20 minutes. www.yellowstoneparkzipline.com/ prices range from $8.00 to $25.00

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Spring 2019

5/30/2019

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RAFTING, ZIPLINE AND HORSEBACK ADVENTURES NEAR YELLOWSTONE IN BIG SKY, MONTANA

We've been having a ton of fun around here lately. We just completed a couple of weeks of training for our new guides. They get certified in Swiftwater Rescue and Wilderness First Aid and spend long days on the river. It is always fun to see the new staff come together as a team. Yellowstone EPIC Pass members have been everywhere! We enjoy seeing our visitors have so much fun with all of the activities the EPIC Pass offers. Today a family did a Scenic Float on the Gallatin, then climbed our climbing wall for an hour. After a quick bite to eat they went up to Lake Levinsky for a paddle around the Lake and the boys caught a giant cutthroat trout with the rods they rented at the Marina. Good times!

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Vsiting Yellowstone Park with kids

4/29/2019

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(This is approximately a 6 hour adventure from Big Sky)

Most visitors are given the advise to drive the Upper Loop and the Lower Loop to get the full Yellowstone experience. We highly discourage that if you have any kids with you. Doing the "Loops" is typically a 12 hour journey at best, guaranteeing you'll lose the interest of the kids long before that. Coming from a parent who frequents Yellowstone regularly, it's a drag. For over 20 years we've recommending these simple itineraries for families that will not only be a great experience but is fun for all!

Begin in Big Sky or West Yellowstone. If you do start in Big Sky, you have a scenic 30 minute drive through the Northwest corner of Yellowstone, that features several easy hikes. One of those is the Bighorn Pass. It's a nice stop and you can hike up stream for 10 or fifteen minutes and back to the car to stretch the legs and have a beautiful walk.

About fifteen minutes past the entrance in West Yellowstone, you will see signs for Harlequin Lake. Stop here and take this family friendly hike to the lilly pad, filled lake. It's a great walk and gets the kids moving.
After the hike, head to Grand Prismatic Springs. Take the walk to the observation overlook.

After Grand Prismatic, head to Old Faithful. We recommend taking the boardwalk Counter Clockwise from Old Faithful. This allows for a different perspective of Old Faithful and to see the rest of the Geysers and features of this basin.

After strolling the boardwalk trail, head into the Old Faithful lodge for lunch or ice cream. The architecture of this building is not to be missed.

At this point you've probably seen a dozen geyser features, Grand Prismatic, Old Faithful and plenty of Bison and Elk. Time to star heading back to West Yellowstone.

On the way back feel free to stop and see something you noticed earlier, or head straight to the Firehole Swim Hole. Bring a swimsuit and towel and go have some fun swimming. If you bring swim goggle you can see the fish!

Insiders Tip: The Taco Bus in West Yellowstone is a great place for a casual evening dinner!

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Looking forward to the Gallatin River Rafting Season of 2019

3/1/2019

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Rafting and Zipline Adventures in Big Sky Montana and West Yellowstone....

Wow! There is a lot of vacation planning going on. We are spending everyday booking rafting trips on the Gallatin River and lots of adventure packages too. The package deals are our favorite, what a fun day to go rafting, then do a zipline or fishing lesson I think these are our most popular adventures in Big Sky for two reasons. Not only is the value of the trip very budget friendly but it's so easy to fill a day with fun and adventure with only one phone call or an easy online reservation.

Weather Conditions for Summer 2019...

We never know what to expect for weather this far ahead but we can tell you that we have some of the most snow in the Rocky Mountains, last we checked about 20% above average of most years. That translates into beautiful summers with excellent rafting conditions on the Gallatin river here in Big Sky, Montana. An abundance of snow means fewer forest fires late in the summer and that's always a bonus!

Best Rafting and Zipline Deals in the Yellowstone Region...

Our most commonly reserved adventures are the Gallatin River Rafting Trips in Big Sky and one of our Zipline tours. Don't miss it! If you are staying in West Yellowstone, Bozeman or Big Sky Montana this is a no brainer for saving a ton of money! We also run rafting and zipline tours out of our Gardiner office at the North Entrance to Yellowstone!

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Aerial View of the North Yellowstone Park Area - Including Rafting in the Gallatin Canyon

11/4/2016

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The northern Yellowstone Park area is an incredibly rich ecosystem of wildlife and wild terrain. And wild rivers... Rafting the Gallatin River through the canyon can be one of the most fun and exciting things you may do while visiting here. But we also run rafting and zipline tours out of our sister office in Gardiner!

Be sure to make a trip down the Gallatin or Yellowstone River as one of your destinations when you visit, but don't miss out on the rest of this awesome area either! Feel free to give us a call if you want to know more. 406.995.4989

Here are some links if you want to learn a little more...

bigskyresort.com/webcams Learn about Gardiner, MT here...
Check out this video of Old Faithful Geyser here...
All about the Madison Mountain Range here...
Ennis, MT is a pretty cool town, especially if you fish...
See Lone Peak and the Lone Peak Tram here...
Learn about all there is to do in Big Sky, MT here...
Ever been to Paradise Valley? You'll want to go...
The Gallatin Range is a big part of why rafting through the Gallatin Canyon is so great...

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