Glacier River School

Great Northern Resort has a 33 year history of providing whitewater and fishing trips on the Flathead River in Montana. Our guides are the best in the industry, and we are proud of their professionalism, expertise and unparalleled experience. Now you can learn from the best by attending Glacier River Schools at Great Northern Resort on the boundary waters of Glacier National Park.

Choose from four courses to build your custom combination of essential river-running skills:

• Reading and running class II-IV whitewater
• River rescue (Rescue 3 International WRT curriculum)
• Principals of hydrology
• Commanding a paddle crew
• Maneuvering an oar-rigged boat
• Rope handling techniques
• Risk management on the river
• Assessing equipment needs
• Rigging a boat
• Camping & cooking on the river
• Leave no Trace Skills

Which course is right for me?

Beginner boater - A person with little or no river experience.
This person should start with the Introduction to River Skills class first, and then take the advanced courses as skills are built through each class. The river school is an excellent option for this person to develop skills quickly.

Experienced boater - A person with experience running Class II and above whitewater.
This person should feel free to take any of the courses depending on the skills they would like to improve.

Professional boater - A person with experience guiding tours on Class II and above whitewater.
This person should take the Whitewater Rescue Technician or River Rescuer Course to gain experience in river rescue and a Rescue 3 International Certification.

This is an excellent course for a beginner boater who wants to learn the basics of running whitewater. We cover fundamental river safety and boating skills, including maneuvering both paddle rafts and oar-rigged boats. After two days you will gain experience reading and running class III whitewater.

Course Outline:

Day 1:

• Introduction to the River; Basic hydrology, Middle Fork of the Flathead, North Fork of the Flathead
• River Equipment
• Oar-rigged boats; Rowing techniques
• Paddle Boats; Commanding a paddle crew
• On-water practice

Day 2:

• On-water practice
• River rescue discussion and practice

The Whitewater Rescue Technician and River Rescuer are Rescue 3 International courses, designed for the river enthusiast, professional guide or experienced private boater. We cover advanced river rescue skills.

Skills Covered:

• Rescue Philosophy
• Hydrology
• Equipment
• Rescue Swimming
• Throwbag Skills
• Medical Considerations
• Anchors
• Rope Systems
• Rope Handling
• Shallow Water Crossings
• Entrapments
• Unpinning Boats

This comprehensive course is designed for the boater who would like to guide professionally or gain extensive knowledge about rivers and river safety. Learn how to command a paddle crew, maneuver an oar rig and prepare for the unexpected. In addition, become certified as a Rescue 3 International River Rescuer . After six days you will be a confident boater, ready for commercial or private guiding. This course is comprised of a combination of the three courses below.

Course Outline:

Days 1 & 2:

• Introduction to River Skills (See coursework above)

Days 3 & 4:

• River Rescuer 

Days 5 & 6:

• Advanced River Skills: Learn how to assess equipment needs for extended trips, rig a boat, plan meals, set up a campsite, and prepare meals on the river
• Preparing for an overnight trip; Packing List, Rigging Boats, Choosing a Route & Campsite Selection
• Camp
• Heading Home; " Preparing meals on the River, " Break down camp

Equipment Needed

• Drysuit or Wetsuit
• USCG approved Type III or V PFD (life jacket)
• Whitewater Helmet
• Water booties or Tennis shoes
• Equipment available for rent at the Glacier River School 406-387-5340 

* Prices do not include 7% service fee

Mission of the River Sense Program

River Sense is a program designed to develop responsible practices in our future river enthusiasts.  Safety of participants is our number one concern. Our instructors are all certified in First Aid/CPR as well as Whitewater Rescue Technicians through Rescue 3 International. The primary instructor is an independent River Rescue Instructor for Rescue 3 International as well as an American Canoe Association Raft Guide Instructor. Additionally, we keep the ratio of students to instructors at or below 8:1. We look forward to having you join us for some fun on the river!

River Sense Level 1 (Ages 7-13) $90*

This is a one-day course designed to introduce kids to a moving water environment and identify dangers while stressing safety. The course takes place on the Middle Fork of the Flathead between West Glacier and Blankenship Bridge on a thrilling raft trip! Under supervision, kids will have the opportunity to practice self-rescue techniques in a fun, controlled environment. The goal is to develop an awareness in each participant that might save themselves or a friend should an emergency arise.

• Classroom talk about Hydrology and Hazards in the River

• Offensive and Defensive swimming techniques, emphasis on Self-Rescue

• Throw bagging – Kids will practice receiving the throw bag and getting towed to shore.

• Log Strainer Swim – Woody debris is the biggest hazard in western rivers, knowing how to safely avoid them is critical!

• Shallow Water Crossings – Practice various techniques of crossing streams and accessing someone in trouble.

River Sense Level 2 (Ages 14-18) $90*

This is a one-day course designed for high school age teens. It is modeled after a swiftwater rescue program with emphasis on self-rescue and planning for safety. In addition to the skills learned in the level 1 & 2 courses, students will also work on simple rope rescue systems and working through rescue scenarios. Students will also have the ability to practice swimming and catching eddies in whitewater. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to help set up a tension diagonal (a water-based “zip-line”) for moving across a current. The course takes place on the whitewater stretch of the Middle Fork of the Flathead between Moccasin Cr. and West Glacier. This is a great course for an aspiring river guide or outdoorsman!

• Classroom talk about Hydrology and Hazards in the River

• Offensive and Defensive swimming techniques, emphasis on Self-Rescue

• Throw bagging – Kids will practice receiving the throw bag and getting towed to shore.

• Log Strainer Swim – Woody debris is the biggest hazard in western rivers, knowing how to safely avoid them is critical!

• Shallow Water Crossings – Practice various techniques of crossing streams and accessing someone in trouble.

May 4 - 6 - Whitewater Rescue Technician

May 5 - 6 - River Rescuer Certification

May 21 - 26 - The River School

May 27 - 29 - Whitewater Rescue Technician

May 28 - 29 - River Rescuer Certification

 

June 16 - 17 - River Rescuer Certification

June 23 - 24 - River Rescuer Certification

 

July 14 - 15 - Introduction to River Skills 

Minimum enrollment of 6 people required for course to take place

* Prices do not include a 7% River Access Fee