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The ZTS Experience

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Since 2004, we’ve dedicated ourselves to offering people the best river experience Montana has to offer. Our owner and staff are genuinely invested in every trip and every guest, to create the best experience possible. We value your time, and we want each minute you spend with us to mean something, from the initial phone call to the ride back to our headquarters. Our dedicated staff of river professionals share common values and passions: We love to spend time on the river and share that enthusiasm with others.

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A Message from our Owner

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As a business owner and committed river enthusiast, I want to share the experiences I have on the water with you. That is one of the main reasons I purchased Zoo Town Surfers from my friend and mentor Jason Shreder: to show friends, family, and guests all that a river has to offer, with the hope that they will walk away with a greater appreciation of our wild and healthy rivers. I’m also still a guide and very involved with our daily operations; from our food to how we hire and the values we instill in our staff, you will find my personal touches throughout Zoo Town Surfers!

Our mission is simple at ZTS: We want to share our passion for spending time on the rivers by creating experiences and opportunities that will bring out the best in you. As a guest, you deserve and expect the best. We do not overlook the details and focus on exceeding your expectations. We take great pride in our work and it shows on every level.

Here at ZTS, our company values are no secret:

  1. Passion – Our level of enthusiasm must always exceed the customer’s.
  2. Good Communication – We pride ourselves on stellar communication among team members and with our guests.
  3. Local Knowledge – We know where to go in Missoula. Your pre and post-river experience are important to us!
  4. Genuineness – We aim to always be humble, be ourselves, and be professional.
  5. Excellent Customer Service – We under-promise, over-deliver, and always put the customer first.
  6. Teamwork – We strive to be selfless and support one another.
  7. Flexibility – Our work environment is dynamic, so we always expect the unexpected and accommodate!
  8. Constant Improvement – We consistently challenge ourselves to make our trips, services, and company the best they can be.

We know there are lots of options in local river outfitters, so I thank you for choosing Zoo Town Surfers. Whether we have exceeded or fallen short of your expectations, I would love to hear from you. Check out what our customers are saying about us on Google and Facebook.

Sincerely,
Ian Fodor-Davis (owner, lead guide, kayak instructor, cook, and janitor)

P.S. Where did our name come from? Missoula (pronounced MiZOOla) has been nicknamed “Zoo Town” by many. So, we combined Zoo Town with our love of “surfing” the river, and there you have it!

 

Directions

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ALBERTON AND TARKIO GORGE TRIPS – MEET @ CRYSTAL SPRINGS FROM MISSOULA:

Drive west on I-90. Approximately 10 miles past the town of Alberton take the Crystal Springs Exit (Exit 65). Immediately after exiting head north (right) toward the “T” intersection. Go left on Old HWY 10 W. Follow the Old Hwy 10 frontage road for 1 mile. Continue driving until you pass beneath the interstate. Immediately after the underpass, you will see Crystal Springs on your left, enter the driveway marked by the kayak and park facing the berm in the grassy area on your left.

FROM CDA/SPOKANE: Note: Remember the time change, Montana is on Mountain Standard Time!

Drive east on I-90 to Montana from Coeur d’Alene. Approximately 65 miles from the Idaho/Montana boarder, take the Crystal Springs Exit (Exit 65) off I-90. Keep an eye out just after passing the Tarkio Exit. At the exit, head south (right) until you come to a “T” intersection. At this intersection, take a left onto Old HWY 10 W and go 100 yards and our headquarters is on the right. Enter the driveway marked by the kayak and park facing the berm in the grassy area on your left.

KAYAK LESSONS AND TRIPS – MEET @ Missoula HQ

1001 South 4th Street West Suite #5. Missoula MT 59801
We are located in the back of the brick building, by the railroad tracks and loading dock. Look for a rusty metal door with ZTS decal and head on down.

BLACKFOOT RIVER TRIPS – MEET @ Missoula HQ

1001 South 4th Street West Suite #5. Missoula MT 59801
We are located in the back of the brick building, by the railroad tracks and loading dock. Look for a rusty metal door with ZTS decal and head on down.

BITTERROOT RIVER TRIPS – MEET @ Missoula HQ

1001 South 4th Street West Suite #5. Missoula MT 59801
We are located in the back of the brick building, by the railroad tracks and loading dock. Look for a rusty metal door with ZTS decal and head on down.