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Important Access Updates

Fire Season in the Backcountry:

The 2024 Fire Season is now underway in the Kootenays with 2 weeks of hot dry weather. A strict campfire ban is in effect now, since July 5th. Be very careful with camp stoves, cigarettes, etc. 💥 Download The BC Wildfire Service App and stay informed of fires in the area, along your approach and over the height of the land from the area. Note Evacuation Orders and Alerts, study the weather forecast and project if Wildfire conditions are likely […]

2023-24 Hut transportation options

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)344-2266 […]

Forster Creek Footbridge – update October 17th 2023

The reconstruction of the Forster footbridge is now complete, allowing regular access to the Dave White and Olive Huts once again. Have a great season ❄!    CVHS  

Test post Sept 19th

Test post Sept 19th – trying to edit pages….

Forster Creek footbridge out – July 25th

Effective immediately Olive and Dave White Huts are closed due to the main Forster Creek footbridge being taken away by high water. There is no scheduled replacement of the bridge at this time, likely late fall. Those with existing reservations can get refunds.Content coming soon. CVHS

McMurdo road access – July 13th 2023

Canfor has concluded their harvesting in the upper McMurdo Creek, and therefore recently removed the temporary bridges at the 56 km on McMurdo FSR.  Wide fords have been established allowing high clearance 4×4 access through those two creeks.

January 7th ACMG Mountain Conditions Report

Please take note of this ACMG field conditions report, not so far from McMurdo and Kingsbury Huts; https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?e=adc48e5b67&u=1dee12e6e4cfe6fae27721198&id=c49a126dcd

December 31st – ACMG Mountain Conditions Report

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  

Custom Bookings – Revised System & Proceedures

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 […]

2023-24 Hut transportation options – updated April 17th 2022


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)