Raft, Ride & Slide in Glacier National Park With Your Family

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your Road Scholar nametag (sent previously). “America the Beautiful” passes cover entrance fees at national parks for up to four adults. If you have one of these national park passes, please bring it with you to the program and on our field trips.

Afternoon: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Program Registration: 3:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the noted meeting room and meet your Group Leader, complete paperwork, and make sack lunch selections. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Local experts will lead hikes and share their knowledge along the trail. We will break into smaller groups for hikes based on preference and ability. We will travel by motorcoach and historic Red Bus. Restrooms are available at most trail heads. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off a gondola and alpine slide. Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day, periods of standing/sitting; dirt trails that may be rocky, hilly, uneven. Aerial Adventure is physically demanding and requires climbing, crouching, and maneuvering through obstacles, safety harnesses required. Elevation maximum 6,800 feet.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader and ride to Big Mountain at Whitefish Mountain Resort. There, we’ll climb, slide, and “fly” on an aerial adventure obstacle course in the trees. Secured in safety harnesses, we’ll move between the trees on suspended bridges, cable walkways, nets, ladders, and other fun elements. Grandparents can choose to participate in the aerial adventure or may choose to encourage kids from the ground. Next, we’ll board the “Glacier Chaser” gondola and chairlift, for a 15-minute scenic ride to the 6,800-foot summit of Big Mountain. At the top, we’ll have breathtaking panoramic views of Glacier National Park, Flathead Valley, and surrounding areas.

Lunch: At a restaurant on the summit of Big Mountain.

Afternoon: Next, we will be joined by a forest ranger who will give us a presentation about this spectacular part of the Rocky Mountains. We’ll then ride the gondola down the mountain to the start of the Alpine Slide. To end our day on the mountain, we’ll have an exciting ride down the 1,605-foot-long Alpine Slide. The flat, wheeled sleds have hand brakes to control the speed. We’ll whiz around curves, zoom through a tunnel, and fly down straightaways. Note: Kids under 48 inches (4 feet) tall must ride with an adult. We’ll ride back to the hotel tired but exhilarated and have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: We’ll be joined by a local expert who will give us a presentation on the wild wonders of Glacier National Park and the surrounding area.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 2 miles, standing during trail-side lessons and activities; dirt trails that may be rocky, slippery, hilly, uneven. Elevation gain 225 feet, maximum elevation 3,410 feet.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll board the motorcoach and head out for a full-day field trip in Glacier National Park. Local experts from the Flathead Audubon Society will lead us on interpretive walks along rushing McDonald Creek and through a cool hemlock forest. While on the trail, we’ll participate in a variety of fun, instructor-led activities that will capitalize on kids’ natural curiosity. We’ll focus on using different senses to experience and explore the secrets of the natural, wild surroundings.

Lunch: At a scenic spot on the banks of beautiful McDonald Creek, we’ll have sack lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our interpretive walking field trip with Flathead Audubon Society instructors and learn about the flora and fauna we encounter along the trail. We’ll then take the bus to Lake McDonald where we will have independent time. You might like to explore historic Lake McDonald Lodge, enjoy time with new Road Scholar friends, or just sit by the lake to relax and enjoy the expansive scenery.

Dinner: At a restaurant inside Glacier National Park.

Evening: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles round trip, approximately 2 total riding time. Getting on/off a raft; riding approximately 2 hours, periods of paddling (according to personal choice), sitting, opportunities to get out and stretch legs. Restroom facilities available at raft company headquarters. Note: Bring a change of dry clothes and a warm layer for after the raft trip.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll board the motorcoach and ride to Whitefish where a local environmental scientist will give us a “big picture” understanding of Whitefish Lake and nearby wetlands. We’ll learn about the complex food web of the lake, the native and introduced fish species found there, and about changes that are caused by introduced species. We’ll also participate in some hands-on scientific research and learn about insect indicators of water quality. Next, we’ll have time for personal independent exploration in Whitefish. The historic downtown is full of western charm and is pedestrian friendly. The nearby Whitefish Railway Depot was built in 1927 for the Great Northern Railway and is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Whitefish. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are numerous restaurants to choose from.

Afternoon: We’ll hop back on the motorcoach and drive to the raft company headquarters in West Glacier. We’ll be outfitted with life jackets and any additional equipment we need. Then it’s a short ride on a bright blue school bus to the river launch. We’ll go on an expert-led rafting trip down the beautiful Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Those feeling adventurous can help paddle the boat through the rapids. Be prepared to get wet! As we float along the southern border of Glacier National Park we will gain a unique perspective of the landscape. We’ll learn about the geologic forces that shaped the landscape, appreciate the river’s Wild and Scenic Waterway designation, and why this pristine river is such an important part of the ecosystem. We’ll learn about where all the water comes from and where it is headed. Along the way keep, eyes peeled for wildlife that may be along the shoreline.

Dinner: At the raft company pavilion, we’ll have a cookout.

Evening: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach and Red Buses; driving about 100 miles, approximately 5 hours total riding time. Hiking up to 2 miles; maintained dirt trails that may be uneven and rocky, boardwalk with steep and deep steps. Logan Pass elevation 6,646 feet, maximum elevation 7,200 feet.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll take a motorcoach to the Apgar area of Glacier National Park where expert instructors will provide enriching interpretation as we walk the trails and explore the area. We’ll also stop at the base of Lake McDonald to take in the mountain views and learn about the glacial forces that carved this huge lake long ago.

Lunch: At a scenic spot on the banks of Lake McDonald, we’ll have sack lunches.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll board a Red Bus and ride along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass (subject to weather and road conditions). Aboard these iconic vehicles, we’ll be immersed in the natural grandeur of the region with insightful commentary by the drivers. First used in the mid-1930s to transport visitors in Glacier, the historic Red Busses were fully restored in 2001 and continue to delight passengers today. Their canvass roll-back tops allow for unsurpassed views of the towering mountains in every direction. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a National Historic Landmark and the only road that crosses Glacier National Park. The narrow road hugs the cliffside as it winds through the mountains, inspiring awe at every turn. The road was designed to complement the landscape and give visitors the opportunity to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery Glacier National Park has to offer. Logan Pass is the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Located on the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet, waters here flow either toward the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. We’ll set off on an expert-led walking field trip in the subalpine ecosystem. The trail starts at about 6,660 feet and climbs up from there. The trail consists of pavement, a boardwalk with steep and deep steps, and a dirt and rock trail We’ll search for evidence of past glaciers by looking for geological features such as aretes, glacial horns, moraines, and waterfalls. We will also be on the lookout for special plants and animals with unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in the harsh, high elevation environment. Along the way, we may be distracted by meadows teeming with wildflowers and towering snow-capped peaks! At the end of our field trip, we’ll take the Red Buses and return to Apgar via Going-to-the-Sun Road. There, we’ll we will hop back aboard the motorcoach and ride back to the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!