Arctic Alaska Packrafting Instruction
Safe and fun
As a Fairbanks-based resource, our primary goal is to create a welcoming space for inclusive packrafting education. Embracing a challenge-by-choice approach, we offer opportunities for community members of all ages and skill levels to develop and refine their packrafting skills. Our program focuses on paddling fundamentals including basic boating terminology, water safety, rescue, and paddling skill development tailored to the unique conditions of Alaska waters. While we do no rent gear for courses, there are a few amazing rental resources in Fairbanks!
"Maggie is incredibly knowledgeable and very experienced. In addition, she brought energy and a positive, engaging experience that made this course a great experience for us." -Jim
SUMMER 2025 COURSES
Fantastic course for anyone who is curious about the world of packrafting and all that it has to offer! This course has a two-person minimum.
- Who: everyone (regardless of previous paddling experience)
- When: 5/28/25, 5-9 pm
- Where: Tanana Lakes
- Skills you'll gain:
- Basic paddling strokes
- Gear selection
- Basic paddling + river terminology
- Basic safety/rescue skills
- Locating info about local rivers
- Required gear
- $115 + $10 ACA Event Membership = $125
Women's specific course. Fantastic course for anyone who is curious about the world of packrafting and all that it has to offer! This course has a two-person minimum.
- Who: everyone (regardless of previous paddling experience)
- When: 6/3/25, 5-9 pm
- Where: Tanana Lakes
- Skills you'll gain:
- Basic paddling strokes
- Gear selection
- Basic paddling + river terminology
- Basic safety/rescue skills
- Locating info about local rivers
- Required gear
- $115 + $10 ACA Event Membership = $125
Young adult course for 14-17 year-olds. Fantastic course for anyone who is curious about the world of packrafting and all that it has to offer! This course has a two-person minimum.
- Who: everyone (regardless of previous paddling experience)
- When: 6/4/25, 5-9 pm
- Where: Tanana Lakes
- Skills you'll gain:
- Basic paddling strokes
- Gear selection
- Basic paddling + river terminology
- Basic safety/rescue skills
- Locating info about local rivers
- Required gear
- $115 + $10 ACA Event Membership = $125
We're stoked to be offering a brand-new course for hunters and anglers! All topics taught will have a unique spin on them that highlight scenarios that many hunters and anglers encounter. This course has a two-person minimum.
- Who: everyone (regardless of previous paddling experience)
- When: 5/29/25, 5-9 pm
- Where: Tanana Lakes
- Skills you'll gain:
- Basic paddling strokes
- Gear selection, securing gear to boats, weight distribution in boats
- Considerations for multiday trips
- Basic paddling + river terminology
- Basic safety/rescue skills
- Locating info about local rivers
- Required gear
- $115 + $10 ACA Event Membership = $125
Ready to make the transition from flat to flowing water but don't know where to start? This course is a perfect fit and is a great starter course before diving into our Level 3 - Fundamentals of Whitewater Packrafting Course. This course has a three-person minimum.
- Who: everyone
- When: 7/25/25 - 7/26/25, 8:30-4 pm each day
- Where: Otto Lake + Nenana River (class I)
- Skills you'll gain:
- Paddling strokes suited for river travel
- River-specific gear selection
- Paddling + river terminology
- Intro to hydraulics + river features
- Safety/rescue skills
- Throw rope use
- Locating info about local rivers
- Engaging, on-water level 2 scenarios
- Transportation: students will provide their own transport and are encouraged to carpool with other students
- Lodging: there are numerous campgrounds in the area, as well as lodging options (though we recommend making lodging reservations well in advance if you choose to go this route)
- Required gear
- $425 + $10 ACA Event Membership = $435
Curious about what 'scouting a rapid' is all about? Want to get better at on-water rescue? In this course, we cover all the above and more to ensure you leave this class with the skills you need to confidently run class II rivers. This course has a four-person minimum.
- Who: paddlers with prior class I river travel experience and/or our Level 2 course
- When: 7/27/25-7/28/25, 8:30-4 pm each day
- Where: Otto Lake + Nenana River (class II-II+)
- Skills you'll gain:
- Paddling strokes suited for river travel
- River-specific gear selection
- Scouting + setting safety
- Intro to hydraulics + river features
- On-water safety/rescue skills
- Throw rope use
- Locating info about local rivers
- Engaging, on-water level 3 scenarios
- Transportation: students will provide their own transport and are encouraged to carpool with other students
- Lodging: there are numerous campgrounds in the area, as well as lodging options (though we recommend making lodging reservations well in advance if you choose to go this route)
- Required gear
- $425 + $10 ACA Event Membership = $435
Not seeing something that fits your needs? Let's chat! We're happy to develop a course that fits your needs. We also recognize that group settings aren't for everyone; if you learn more efficiently in one-on-one scenarios, let's make this happen for you!
- 1:1 instruction ($75/hr +$ 10 ACA membership fee)
- 1:2 instruction ($115/hr + $10 ACA membership fee)
Our team has extensive fieldwork experience in Alaska (we have two fisheries scientists and an Arctic research field logistics extraordinaire on our team!). As a result, we are passionate about providing packrafting field trainings for state and federal agencies, NGOs, etc.. These courses are tailored to the specific needs of each field crew.
- Rate dependent upon length of course + number of students + lesson plan