Golden rafting companies use helicopter to circumvent CP Rail gate

What’s one way to get through a gate?

Go above it.

Two rafting companies in Golden that had access to the Kicking Horse River’s Lower Canyon blocked by CP Rail are using helicopters to fly clients to the popular whitewater rafting route.

“Our main focus now is to look towards long-term solutions that will allow our customers the very best of the Kicking Horse River,” said Ryan Johannesen, owner of Glacier Raft Company.

“We’re thankful that the B.C. government continues to be an active partner in building a sustainable tourism sector in Golden.”

Glacier Raft and Wet n’ Wild Adventures are working with Alpine Helicopters to provide the service, while the provincial government and CP Rail continue to battle over the fate of an access route linking Golden to a landing spot for rafts.

WATCH: Heli Rafting the Lower Canyon

The dispute began earlier this year when CP said it was ordered by Transport Canada to solve the problem of large numbers of people crossing the railway to raft the Lower Canyon route of the river — considered the jewel of Golden’s whitewater rafting industry.

But a month later, after an outcry from the town of Golden and a concerted push by local and provincial politicians, it appeared a compromise had been reached while the two sides worked on a longer-term solution.

That solution quickly fell apart with CP saying, “Without full indemnification, CP cannot support rafters accessing the Kicking Horse River,” because of concerns of who would be liable if there was an accident.

READ MORE: CP Rail installs locked gate at Kicking Horse River in Golden

With CP Rail holding firm, the provincial government says they will spend $45,000 to develop a feasibility study and work plan for the future of the route.

“We are working closely with Golden and local partners to conduct a feasibility study looking into how to allow safe access to the lower canyon of the Kicking Horse River without crossing CP Rail tracks,” said Transportation Minister Todd Stone in a statement.

“The B.C. government recognizes the value of river rafting tourism to Golden and the surrounding region, and that’s why we are working quickly to resolve this issue and help people gain safe access to the lower canyon.”

– With files from Jon Azpiri