Alaska Packraft School The leader in packraft education & skills courses
2024 COURSE & TRIP DATES ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY Contact us to reserve dates for custom courses & trips
Our Courses
Courses focus on paddling skills & boat control needed to push deeper into the wild rivers of Alaska, as well as self and group rescue techniques, risk management, trip planning and good “on the water” decision making.
Small group/individual instruction & custom courses are also available. These are ideal for groups of friends wanting to take a course together or anyone with specific paddle techniques/coaching, trip planning or river safety skills they'd like more instruction & spend more time on. Please contact us- we'd love to hear more about what you're looking for & make it happen.
Level 1: Packraft Foundations
Perfect for the “never ever” packrafter or those who have paddled a few times, but without formal instruction. This course exposes you to the essentials of packrafting- both the hiking & paddling aspects. You’ll leave with a strong foundation in packrafting basics.
Level 2: Whitewater Essentials
For paddlers with previous packrafting experience wanting to strengthen their ability to read & paddle class II-III rivers. River safety, rescue skills & risk assessment is also practiced.
Level 3: Adv. Whitewater Skills & Safety
This course is for those with previous whitewater packrafting experience wanting to strengthen paddle skills & boat control in class III whitewater. Geared towards the aspiring class IV boater, or those seeking to refine & build their whitewater paddling technique & rescue skills.
Guided Trips
Packraft in Alaska's best rivers
Our guided adventures are ideal for packrafters with previous paddling & backpacking experience. Our staff are pros on both the land & water- guidance with the hiking route as well as instruction & support on the river.
These trips are experiential opportunities to grow your backcountry travel skills & paddling ability. Guides strive to create an epic & fun outing, but also share tools to build your ability & confidence to execute your own Alaskan packraft trips.
The Last Frontier has plenty of challenges- the “Alaska Factor,” can surprise you, kick your butt & make you real humble. Bears, Moose, harsh weather, route finding, remoteness, mosquitos & cold water are real & can be intimidating! Our team spends tremendous amounts of time adventuring in Alaska- bringing situational awareness, expert judgment & risk assessment from their time & experience.
Alaska Packraft School operates under a special use permit with the Chugach National Forest & other public lands.
This is a classic must do overnight trip with excellent “packraft symmetry."
Hiking the Crow Pass Trail then paddling Eagle River offers all the best parts of Alaska: traveling the Historic Iditarod Trail, viewing historic mining areas, taking in waterfall views & epic glacial scenery in the high alpine before floating downstream.
Packrafting Eagle River vs hiking down the valley allows better opportunities for wildlife spotting & taking in the surrounding Chugach Mountains.
The Alaska Packraft Guidebook
In print & available to purchase.
A valuable resource brought to you by 15 years of first hand experience. The 350 pages highlight over 70 runs ranging from Class I-IV.
The guidebook covers 9 different regions, not only river info, but access beta (hike in, fly in & runs) and water levels specific for packrafters. Includes day & overnight routes.
This is the first ever packraft specific river guidebook!
What people are saying...
“Jule has written the perfect companion for packrafting enthusiasts in Alaska, whether they are beginners just getting started, or old-timers looking for new routes. This book looks great, reads well, & provides vital beta for packrafting adventures in the birthplace of the sport.”
-Roman Dial, AKA “Father of Packrafting” & author of Packrafting!
“Wow! Jule’s guidebook marks a major milestone in ALaska’s history of packrafting. A huge thanks to Jule for creating this guide- it’s comprehensive, visually pleasing, and will help us all prepare for joyful days on the water.”
- Luc Mehl, author of The Packraft Handbook
“Rivers are places that renew our spirit, connect us with our past & link us directly with the flow and rhythm of the natural world.”
-Ted Turner
Trip Reports & Videos
Harding Icefield Ski-raft Traverse
QUICK STATS: Route: Skilak Lake to Homer Dates: April 24, May 1, 2023 Days: 8 Distance Traveled: Hike: 20 miles Ski: 58 miles Packraft: 15 miles HOW THE TRIP WAS…