The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. The Adamant Group of the Selkirk Mountains provides climbers and backcountry skiers with a wealth of fantastic opportunities, and Fairy Meadow Hut is the perfect home base. See all of our huts here.
Trail distance: Helicopter Only
Elevation Gain: 1006m
Trailhead: Helicopter, Lake Kinbasket
Family Friendly: Yes
Activities: Climbing, Mountaineering, Backcountry Skiing
Technical Considerations: Helicopter Only
Fairy Meadow is one of the great backcountry ski destinations in North America, with outstanding ski mountaineering and ski touring. In summer the hut is a base for excellent granite mountaineering. The hut is well equipped with a wood sauna, extensive kitchen and bunks. Access is via Helicopter or a very long and very difficult hike (hiking is absolutely not recommended). The Great Cairn Hut is a day’s mountaineering travel to the south.
Capacity: 20
Hut Location: 51.4548,-117.5236
Heat: Wood
Light: Propane
Stove: Propane
Oven: Propane
Mattress: Yes
Open: Year-round
Staying in a backcountry hut is a shared, rustic experience. Sleeping, kitchen and living areas are communal. Guests area expected to bring their own sleeping bags, food and personal items.
All of our huts are user-maintained, meaning that the custodial work of keeping the hut clean, chopping firewood and shovelling snow is done by the guests. The ACC provides major service and renovations to all of our huts each year to ensure they are in good repair.
There are no transition days between bookings. Guests are responsible to sanitize before and after use of the huts.
Download our hut cleaning and sanitation guidelines here.
There is a very good reason why the ACC has held its General Mountaineering Camp in the Fairy Meadow area on four separate occasions since 1981 – the place is awesome! The Adamant Group of the Selkirk Mountains provides climbers and backcountry skiers with a wealth of fantastic opportunities. The peaks here are mainly granitic and there are several classic routes of various lengths and difficulty to challenge all types of climbers.
Built in 1965 by the ACC as a project proposed and largely overseen by William Putnam, the hut has since seen extensive renovations which have transformed the two-storey wooden building into a deluxe backcountry destination. With a complete propane system which includes an oven for baking, a very efficient wood stove and a fully stocked cooking area, comfort is guaranteed. There is sleeping space for 20 on the second level and a spacious common room with adequate space for hanging gear. A large and very hot wood-burning sauna is an absolute treat on those clear, cold winter nights!
In winter the snow comes early and in huge quantities, allowing for a myriad of touring and ski-mountaineering possibilities that are second to none. As Chic Scott writes in Summit & Icefields – Columbia Mountains: “The ski terrain at Fairy Meadow is superb and the snow in this part of the Selkirks is deep, so the area has become a favourite destination for backcountry skiers.”
The possible tours from the hut are numerous and include everything from tree skiing and quick moraine runs close to the hut to tours over glaciers, passes and around stunning peaks.
Note: Due to high demand, ski weeks at Fairy Meadow are booked through a lottery system. Applications are accepted in the spring for the following winter (see Bookings, below).
SUMMER BOOKINGS
HUT ONLY:
Summer bookings at the Fairy Meadow Hut are made by submitting a booking request form.
Guests will need to make personal arrangements to travel to the hut by hiking or via helicopter.
WINTER BOOKINGS
Ski Weeks include
Lottery details
More information about booking Fairy Meadow ski weeks for winter 2021/2022 can be found here .
The Great Cairn Hut is accessible overland from the Fairy Meadow Hut in both summer and winter. The trip is long, involved and requires mountaineering skills.
Summer (May 15 to October 15)
Summer booking dates are flexible, not scheduled. Maximum stay of 10 nights.
Sleeping Capacity: 20
Bedding: Mattress pads provided, bring your own sleeping bag
Cooking: Propane stove and oven – propane is supplied. Pots and pans, dishware and cutlery are provided.
Bathroom: Outhouse
Lighting: Propane lighting – propane is supplied
Heat: Wood stove – firewood is provided
Water Source: Snow melt, Unfiltered Tap
Other: Wood-fired sauna
Summer
Winter
Access in summer and winter is via helicopter. Travel arrangements through Alpine Helicopters in Golden (250-344-7444).
Quick Description: Helicopter from Golden.
Approach Description: Printable PDF
ACC Members may make reservations up to 6 months in advance. To access this benefit, please LOG IN to your membership account and follow the prompts.
If you are not an active member, you may SIGN-UP to join a community of alpine enthusiasts.
Non-Members are welcome to make reservations up to 3 months in advance.
Please call our reservation team at 403-678-3200 ext. 0 if you are looking to make a booking within 1-week of check-in.
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