Alaska Packraft School LLC HIGH VIBE Guides- Leaders in packraft, kayak, swiftwater rescue, expedition education & skills courses
Contact us to secure dates for custom courses, guided trips or private instruction
Our Courses
Courses focus on paddling skills & boat control needed to push deeper into the wild rivers of Alaska: self & group rescue techniques, risk management, trip planning & 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.
We specialize in guided wilderness trips as well!
A guided packraft trip in Alaska with us is unique- you're hiring MORE than a guide, but a professional instructor skilled in mentorship devoted to helping you meet your packraft adventure goals. We've "got your back," helping you grow the skills you need: become a stronger paddler & competent expedition member so you can better plan & prepare for your own adventures wherever you want packrafting to take you.
Please contact us- we'd love to hear more about what you're looking for & make it happen.
Guided Trips
Packraft 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.
The Nizina is a great trip for beginning to intermediate packrafters, with an excellent & gradual progression in difficulty. Beginning at the toe of the mighty Nizina Glacier we’ll paddle among massive icebergs for a few hours- this lake is a destination in & of itself! Not to mention, we'll have spent the previous day prior to our backcountry drop off refining our class II-III paddling skills & rescue rehearsal scenarios on the Kennicott River... so whereas our lake paddle provides another great opportunity to get comfortable, refining paddle skills & river safety- when we’re ready, we hit the river with confidence & STOKE!
Skills Courses
This is a 2 part series, completed on the same day. We begin on a flatwater lake establishing (or re-establishing) all essential packraft foundations: paddle skills techniques, body mechanics & self-rescue scenarios- required by packrafters of all levels. Taking time to rehearse & experience capsizing, having an “out of boat experience,” is critical- as we’re ALL between swims in moving water environments. Exploring wet exits, wet re-entry & alternative rescue methods are critical for anyone interested in pursuing this sport.
After the AM lake session, we'll travel to Eagle River to learn “raft-packing” basics: hiking your paddle kit to a beginner friendly river environment. The river session highlights hazard identification, reading moving water & shares considerations for boat control & group management in class I river environments.
The Alaska Packraft Guidebook: 1st Edition
SOLD OUT: 2nd Edition ETA Summer 2027
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.
Jule is currently working on a 2nd Edition- email us to get on the newsletter for updates. In the meantime, check out The Alaska River Forums, where most of the book content/trip write ups (minus maps & photos) are available online while the 2nd Edition is underway!
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…