kayaking

There is always something going on in Fort Smith, where there is something for everyone.

The Wood Buffalo Frolics winter carnival in mid-March helps wave farewell to winter and welcome spring. The whole community gathers for Canada Day festivities in July, with an enthusiastic parade and delicious fish fry. The renowned South Slave Friendship Festival in mid-August features musicians from Fort Smith and across the North.

photo by John McKinnonWhitewater adventure-seekers from around the world travel to Fort Smith every summer to explore the four sets of rapids on the Slave River.

A kayaker’s delight, the Slave River features an immense volume of water through a 25-km labyrinth of channels among Canadian Shield-granite islands.

For the average hiker, cyclist, snowshoer, and skier, the Cassette rapids provide some dramatic whitewater vistas, though they appear from shore to be less-impressive than the Pelican rapids. Kayakers will beg to differ, however. The proof is in the vegetation.

Due in large part to the spray generated by these rapids, and the resulting humidity, the trees along this part of the river are enormous compared to their counterparts downstream.

photo by Jessica CoxThe Pelican rapids are accessible all year-round, by foot and bicycle from April to October (depending on snowfall), and by ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile from November to March (depending on snowfall). These are magnificent whitewater rapids, and an outcrop of Canadian Shield granite jutting up from the water allows hikers to walk halfway across the expansive river (dependent on water levels) from June through October.

courtesy Town of Fort SmithFrom June to October, the rapids at Mountain Portage are some of the most accessible on the river. These rapids are a favourite “playground” for whitewater kayakers, and the sandy beaches in the bays surrounding the rapids are a favourite gathering place for local swimmers and sunseekers. While the summer mosquitoes, sandflies, and horseflies are tolerable on the breezy shores of the river, they can be unbearable on the hike down to and up from the water.

photo by Jessica CoxRapids of the Drowned are the most visible rapids to residents of, and visitors to, Fort Smith. They are the rapids beside which the community is situated, and can be seen from “The Lookout” on Marine Drive. These rapids are a designated Historic Site of Canada.