A new trio of backcountry huts are coming to British Columbia’s Garibaldi Provincial Park located about 40 miles (70 kilometers) north of Vancouver. After an extended development and approval process, Pique News Magazine reports that BC Parks issued a Park Use Permit that will allow for the construction of the huts along the 25 mile (40-kilometer) Spearhead ski traverse.
The project is being led by the Spearhead Huts Committee, which has the stated goal of creating a world-class backcountry hut system in Garibaldi Provincial Park. The goal for the huts is to increase the comfort and safety of backcountry travelers and minimize environmental impact on the area. Make no mistake, these huts won’t be elaborate luxury structures, but rather modest structures focused on self-sufficient backcountry travelers.
The Spearhead ski traverse connects the Spearhead and Fitzsimmons ranges behind Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. It’s one of the most popular Coast Range ski tours and is accessible from Blackcomb's lift system returning to the lifts at Whistler mountain. The tour can take anywhere from three to four days (or in the case of the record time set by Greg Hill, four hours) with 5,000 feet of elevation gain; guiding is available through Whistler Alpine Guides.
The Russet hut will replace a popular rundown existing hut, which has been a much-loved winter and summer destination for skiers and hikers thanks in part to its close proximity to Whistler. The site for the remaining huts will be Mt. Pattison and Mt. Macbeth. The estimated opening date is winter 2018.
-Spearhead Huts project issued Park Use Permit [Pique News Magazine]
-Skiing the Spearhead Traverse [Explore Magazine]
-The Peak to Creek Ski Run at Whistler Blackcomb [Curbed Ski]