The Olive Hut, perched high above the Forster Basin on the edge of the Catamount glacier, serves as a high elevation base for climbing, complex traverses of Catamount and North Star Glaciers, and ski mountaineering. It sits on a granite rib on the east edge of the glacier and provides a panoramic view of Mt. Harmon, Black Fang and other nearby peaks.
Built in 1991, this small stone hut was a joint project between the B.C. Forest Service, the Olive family and the Columbia Valley Hut Society. It was built in memory of Peter and Brenda Olive who died in separate mountain helicopter accidents. Both were avid hikers and skiers who cherished their time in the mountains.
Only mountaineers and hikers with glacier travel experience should use this area.
The Olive Hut becomes crowded if party size exceeds 4 (suitable tenting space is also available). Melting snow is the only on-site water supply.
Fast Facts
Critical Info
Winter Olive Hut visitors should be aware that illegal snowmobile activity on Catamount Glacier and Northstar is frequent. As of 2013, Catamount Glacier is open to snowmobiles after February 14th, North Star remains closed.
Access is by reservation only.
Formal Government Objectives
Manage the Olive Hut Recreation Site for an alpine, wilderness non-motorized recreation experience. The cabin will be maintained; the natural vegetation will be conserved. Opportunities for cabin accommodation to support ski touring, hiking, and mountaineering will be available at the site. Cabin reservations required. Access is by glacier travel and route finding, no trail is maintained.”
Summer Access
Winter Access
Winter Access 2015 – 16
Active Winter Harvesting will continue weekdays only, until March 2016.
- Road users should consider monitoring Canfor VHF radio freq. 158.460 and call your kilometers.
- New parking lot established at 27.7 km with outhouse and room for expansion.
current logging in Eve Creek at 27.7 junction. - Not hauling weekends or between dec 18th and Jan 2nd for holidays (may still be vehicular traffic for maintenance)
- Ploughing never done on Saturdays but possible on Sundays early am if required for monday hauling.
- Once hauling completed in March, parking will return to 19 km unless WVSS chooses to have the road maintained up to the 27.7km
Snowmobiles are generally needed for travel up Forster Creek and then a 3 hour ski approach across Catamount Glacier (or a 20-minute helicopter flight from Invermere) . The trail is groomed from the new parking area at km 27.7 to the summer trailhead at Forster Creek footbridge. There is a $20 toll for the use of the groomed trail. Total riding distance of 19 km.
Snowmobiles are prohibited above and south of the base of the steep access ramp to Catamount Glacier (this includes all of Catamount and North Star Glaciers – restriction signs are posted) until Mid February each year.