What Do Rafting Companies Do in the Winter? 
When winter rolls in, a lot of people assume rafting companies shut down completely.
While rafting slows down in California, there is still a lot happening behind the scenes.
Is camp empty?
Are all the guides off somewhere in Chile or Australia?
Or is something else happening behind the scenes?
The truth is—it’s a little bit of everything.
Are Raft Guides Gone During the Off-Season?
Some are, yes.
Our guides spend the winter all over the world—rafting in Chile, chasing summer in Australia, working at ski resorts, or studying hard at University to be doctors some day.
But while some are out exploring, there’s still a lot happening back at camp in Coloma on the South Fork American River.
What Happens at a Rafting Company in Winter?
Winter is when the real behind-the-scenes work gets done.
Operations shift into preparation mode:
- Equipment is inspected and repaired
- Camp gets upgraded
- Safety systems are checked and improved
This is the season where everything gets dialed so that when spring hits, we’re ready.
And this winter, one project stood out.
How Are Ropes Courses Maintained and Inspected?
One of the biggest projects this year was replacing the telephone poles that support our climbing wall.
Not because we wanted to—but because safety standards required it.
Ropes courses are held to strict guidelines set by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), including:
- Annual inspections
- Daily safety checks
- Full system evaluations
If something doesn’t meet standard, it gets fixed—no exceptions.
The Reality Behind a “Simple” Upgrade
Replacing those poles wasn’t simple.
It started with sourcing materials from across the country:
- A call to Connecticut
- Poles located in Texas
- Delivered all the way to Coloma
Then came the real work:
- Removing the old structure
- Digging new holes
- Installing and reinforcing new poles
- Replacing all steel cables
The estimated cost from a contractor- $32,000! We can’t afford that!
So Who Makes It All Happen?
Projects like this don’t just “get done.”
They’re handled by a team:
- Greg (Ropes Course & General Manager)
- Riley (equipment operator, arborist, and guide)
- Scott (The RiverDoc)
- Paul (ACCT Inspector)
They completed the entire job on time, up to the highest ACCT Standard, and 50% under budget! Talk about efficiency!
Most guests will never notice the difference—but that’s kind of the point.
Is Rafting in California Seasonal?
Yes—but the work behind it never stops.
Even when trips aren’t running daily, preparation continues so that when spring arrives, everything is ready to go.
Summer Is Coming
Winter might look quiet from the outside, but it’s anything but.
It’s the season that makes everything else possible.
And now—with upgrades finished and the crew returning—spring rafting season is here!
👉 Come see what all this work was for on your next South Fork American River rafting trip.
