Introduction

Great Northern Whitewater Resort, home of the Great Northern Kayak School, is situated on one of the greatest rivers to learn to kayak in the Northwest; the Middle Fork of the Flathead has been the first run for hundreds of kayakers since the sport was started.  The sixty-mile stretch of river between Bear Creek and the town of Columbia falls, including the Middle Fork of the Flathead and the rest of the Flathead river system, offers some of the most featured yet friendly and enjoyable runs in the country.   This provides the perfect environment in bringing people along from the point of being a beginning kayaker to an intermediate level and beyond. 

     By producing a safe environment we are able to fully appreciate the amazing beauty of the Flathead River system and Glacier National Park. As the Valley’s only kayak school we are conscious of our status as industry leaders, Great Northern Whitewater Resort has been in operation since 1977 and our river staff has set the standard for professionalism on the Middle Fork of the Flathead for the last several decades. Our staff’s experience paddling rivers across the world has left us well prepared to start your paddling career.

Our Mission

Growth in each individual student/client is our greatest value and most important goal. At the Great Northern Kayak School we strive to instruct at the highest level in order to create boaters who are strong, who are confident, and who value good judgment above all else.  Acting as a springboard for peoples kayaking careers we want our students and clients to go on and become leaders on the river, able to understand how to stay safe and help keep others safe, showing what it is to be a good kayaker. 

Safety

We pride ourselves in providing the best trained staff of instructors and guides in the industry. Our kayak instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association as (ACA) Whitewater Instructors and also receive training as Swift-Water Rescue Technicians in addition to advanced first aid, such as, Wilderness-First Responder and Wilderness EMT. All this to be able to say that we are the top of our industry.