Vermont Whitewater Rafting

West River Whitewater Rafting

West River Trip Information

Experience the thrill of the West River on two special weekends each year during scheduled dam releases by the Army Corps of Engineers. This eight-mile journey delivers continuous Class III whitewater with standout rapids like Landslide and the challenging feature rapid, The Dumplings, making it perfect for intermediate rafters seeking excitement.

Trips meet and end at Mount Snow Ski Resort, where a slide show celebrates the day’s events. The journey begins with breathtaking views from atop Ball Mountain Dam, looking down on the first rapid and across the reservoir to Stratton Mountain. After paddling practice, rafters navigate the first half of the river through Jamaica State Park, tackling Landslide and the tight, boulder-strewn S-turn of The Dumplings, where teamwork is essential. Following a riverside snack, the second half continues through Class II–III rapids like Tornado Alley and The Ledges as the river winds back to base.

With its combination of nonstop action and stunning scenery, the West River is a favorite for both veteran and first-time rafters alike. This year, this trip runs May 2–3, June 6–7, and September 19–20.

May and June: Adults, $105 / Children, $90

September: Adults, $115 / Children, $100

Group Rates:

Raft Capacity/Private Rafts
  • Standard rafts hold 6–7 paddlers (6 is ideal)
  • Some rafts hold 8 paddlers
  • Groups of 6–8 have a private raft
  • Groups with fewer than 6 may be joined with other parties
Trip Includes
  • Pre-trip safety instruction
  • Professional guide
  • Personal floating devices and helmet
  • Transportation to and from the river
  • Riverside snack
  • Photo presentation of your day

Meeting Time: Trip start times vary. Please check your email confirmation and plan to check in approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled trip time.

  • Life Jacket and Helmet Fitting: All guests must wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and helmet provided by Crab Apple
  • Safety Briefing and Paddling Instruction
  • Transportation: Bus ride to the Ball Mountain Dam put-in

Rafting:

  • 4 miles of Class III whitewater
  • Run The Dumplings rapid (Class IV)
  • Riverside snack break
  • 4 miles of Class II–III whitewater

Return to Mount Snow:

  • Take-Out: Return transporation to Mount Snow
  • Slide Show:View highlights of your rafting trip
What to bring
  • Bathing suit or shorts
  • Footwear – sneakers or sandals with secure toe and ankle straps (flip flops not allowed)
  • Sunscreen
  • Towel
  • Change of clothes and shoes for after trip
  • If you wish to bring a water bottle, please have a way to attach the bottle to the raft (small carabiner is best)
Items for Spring and Fall, and cool or rainy days
  • *Avoid cotton clothing – it cools the body when wet!
  • For feet: wool or fleece socks. Very important in spring!
  • For torso and legs: performance apparel (Under Armour/Dri Fit), wool, fleece, capilene, polypropylene
  • Outer layer: wind jacket and pants are great for shedding water and can be worn over a wetsuit or fleece
Wetsuits

Clean, comfortable wetsuits and wetsuit boots will always be available for rent. Fleece and synthetics are extra warm under wetsuits and wetsuit boots. Wind jackets and pants can be worn over wetsuits to shed water and add warmth.

$$$

Crab Apple houses a fun store where you may purchase photos of your trip, and a fine selection of apparel and souvenirs. A snack bar is also available with snacks, soda, beer, and wine.

Medications / Physical Limitations

Always bring medications that you may need on the river, ie. asthma inhaler, bee sting kit, etc.
Pregnant women, persons with a heart condition and anyone with a medical problem that could be affected by the heat, cold, exertion, excitement, etc. of a raft trip may not raft. We reserve the right to refuse anyone the opportunity to participate in any of our adventures because of a medical, physical or size limitation that we feel might expose them to extreme risk. Life jackets fit a chest size of 58 inches. Contact our office with questions concerning these policies.

Accommodations

Check out Mount Snow’s luxury and economy lodging.

If you are interested in checking out other lodging options, go to the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. If you are interested in camping, here are the campgrounds closest to Mount Snow:

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Trip at a Glance

Distance

8 Miles

Minimum Age

11 Years Old

Difficulty

Class II-IV