Please take note of this ACMG Mountain Conditions Report from the field, not so far from McMurdo & Kingsbury Huts; https://mountainconditions.ca/reports/whumphs-and-skier-remote-avalanche Happy New Year 🎉 to all! CVHS
Folks; In an effort to improve the Custom Booking option, lessen the guesswork and some of the frustration we’re sensing out there, we are experimenting with a ‘Calendar Preview‘ of the next dates open for requesting. You’re among the first to see it and hopefully benefit by it. !You can still ONLY request the open date when it becomes eligible by the same 2 month + 2 week rule! To view the Calendar Preview, go to: https://cvhsinfo.org/columbia-valley-huts-book-online click the Green boxed link: Custom Calendar Booking […]
For those seeking transportation to the Huts or the trailhead, here is some information to aid your trip planning:
Glacier Helicopters Invermere Contact Greg: greg@glacierhelicopters.ca (250) 341-7164 (cel)
Jumbo Hut delivery or pickup from Invermere airport: approx $1750. Additional loads from Toby/Jumbo confluence parking lot – add $500. Olive Hut delivery or pickup $1200 – $1400 depending on weather.
They have an AStar and/or Jet Ranger based in Invermere.
Whitetooth Heli 8Km south of Parson Contact Dirk@whitetoothheli.com (250) 344-1135 (cel)
Dirk operates an A Star with seats and ski basket for 4. His Kingsbury or McMurdo pricing is a straight per person basis of $420 each, round trip. ie delivery and later pickup included. Minimum group size 3. He can also do Jumbo Hut trips for $2000, or $1250 to Olive or Dave White Huts from his pad – 8km south of Parson. That cost is each trip in or out, not round trip.
Alpine Helicopters Golden Contact golden@alpinehelicopters.com (250) 344-7444
Kingsbury or McMurdo delivery or pickup from Golden airport: approx $915 each way, dovetail flights with the prior or following party can halve the cost. Lifting from McMurdo Cabin to Kingsbury (works well to ski out to McMurdo in stable spring conditions and continue by sled. *Requires strong route finding skills) approximately the same cost.
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. *Saturdays, also Sundays in winter are very busy for them! Improve your odds of getting to/from the Hut on time by avoiding weekend flights where possible.
*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 & McMurdo. $125 per person each way, minimum $600.
Contact: Ted Eugene – Windermere
tedrmk@hotmail.com (250) 341-1323 (cel)
Folks we enjoy a long history of cooperation between RK Heli and the local ski tourers. This has started to erode in the Jumbo drainage due to day touring on their regularly used, managed & gladed runs. Please seek out touring opportunities other than their regular runs, it jeopardizes the relationship with CVHS which took decades to establish. Here’s a open letter from Graham their GM:
As most Hut visitors know, once you leave the highway the backcountry roads accessing the trail heads are built, maintained and used regularly by logging complanies. In our area Canfor Forest Products is the principle Forest licencee. Although these Forest Service Roads are not legally “Radio Controlled” but rather “Radio Assisted”, the use of VHF radios is strongly recommended for all users, particularly on weekdays on active logging roads. Drive cautiously and expect the unexpected. Be prepared to use the […]
Folks; we’re having continued problems with the Coleman stove connector part (‘elbows’) in the Huts. The threads in the soft aluminum female threads get easily stripped by the hard steel male threads on the canisters. This can render the stove useless, or worse cause a propane fire in the Hut! Its come to our attention that inconsistent manufacturing may be partially at fault and want to share what we know with you. !Avoid buying canisters/tanks that have slightly longer unthreaded […]
Although FS roads are not legally radio controlled, the use of VHF radios is recommended for all users, particularly during the week on active logging roads. The channel and frequency is posted at the beginning of most roads. Review a District map Here: RR1 150.080 MHz RR2 150.110 MHz RR3 150.140 MHz RR4 150.185 MHz RR8 150.320 MHz