For those seeking transportation to the Huts or the trailhead, here is some information to aid your trip planning:
Glacier Helicopters Invermere, BC Contact Greg: greg@glacierhelicopters.ca (250) 341-7164 (cel)
Jumbo Hut delivery or pickup from Invermere airport: approx $2050. Additional loads from Toby/Jumbo confluence parking lot – add $700. Olive Hut or Dave White delivery or pickup $1750.
They have an Astar B3 with dual ski baskets based in Invermere for the coming winter season.
Whitetooth Heli Golden, BC
Contact info@whitetoothheli.com
(250) 344-2266 Main Hanger
Whitetooth operate Astars out of Golden, with capacity for 5 travelling light or 4 with extra gear. Kingsbury or McMurdo $1000 +GST .
Alpine Helicopters Golden, BC Contact golden@alpinehelicopters.com (250) 344-7444
Kingsbury or McMurdo delivery or pickup from Golden airport: approx $1095 each way, dovetail flights with the prior or following party can halve the cost. Lifting from McMurdo Cabin to Kingsbury is approximately the same cost. This works well to ski out to McMurdo in stable spring conditions and continue by sled. *Requires strong route finding skills.
Their Bell 407 can carry 6 adults maximum with just modest winter gear, with skis and groceries to these lower landing sites, 5 persons if travelling heavy. *Pack gear in many smaller weatherproof bags for loading in the ski box is much preferred to a few bulky full sized packs.
*Note that your out-flight pickup time may vary widely due to variable winter weather and changing heli schedules. Satellite communication is strongly recommended to get updated ETA’s. Otherwise be ready to go very early!
A budget option is to be towed by snowmobile to the trailhead, then ski tour up. Ted Eugene has been doing this for many years. Ted needs as much notice as possible, preferably 2 weeks. He will tow up to six and gear to any of the Hut Trailheads except Kingsbury or McMurdo. $125 per person each way, minimum $600.
Contact: Ted Eugene – Windermere
tedrmk@hotmail.com (250) 341-1323 (cel)