Ask any outdoor adventure enthusiast and they’ve probably at least heard of Squamish and Brackendale. Although often overshadowed by Whistler to the north and Vancouver to the south, these top sporting destinations offer up a side of small town hospitality with a main dish of big adventure.

Last Labor Day weekend, I booked a whitewater rafting trip with the adventure company, Sunwolf. Although I set up a tent at nearby Klahanie Campground in Squamish, the Sunwolf Adventure Center rents out ten private cabins with fireplaces, showers, and kitchenettes. The outdoor center is tucked away in rural Brackendale and the property features a large deck for grilling, communal campfire pit, playground, and a hot tub.

Upon arriving at Sunwolf, our well-organized guides promptly handed out liability waivers and preached the do’s and don’ts of whitewater rafting. After assisting the guides in hoisting two inflatable eight-person rafts atop a big yellow school bus, we set out for the drop point of the Elaho River. Sunwolf provided everyone with full wetsuits, neoprene boots, and helmets, which were included in the cost of the booking fee.

Halfway through the trip, we broke for lunch at an island along the shore for a gourmet wild Pacific salmon barbeque that was absolutely delicious. The Elaho’s Class III and Class IV rapids were no match for our paddling skills and the rafting trip was a success. When we arrived back at the Adventure Center, our guides gathered us in Fergie’s Café for well-deserved beers and a viewing of the photos their professional photographer snapped throughout the day. Since there were some great shots in the slideshow, I purchased a flash drive to better remember my awesome adventure.

As an outdoor adventure enthusiast myself, I have hired many guide companies over the years. Sunwolf was top notch in their service, availability, experience, and friendliness. Not only did our raft stay afloat the entire day, but met some great people and found a great guide company that I would recommend to anyone.