Description

The Wendy Thompson Hut is the ‘must-do’ hut trip for ski tourers getting after it in the sea to sky, situated in the Pemberton area.

The hut is managed by the Whistler Alpine Club of Canada and operates on a reservation system that can be booked up to 6 months prior, which can be made via their website for a fee of $20 for members and $25 for non members.

If avalanche warnings exist of HIGH/EXTREME within 24 hours of the booking, a full refund is provided.

Max capacity sits at 16 persons for the hut, with a kitchen station but users need to bring their own stove system, solar panels providing LED lights and USB charging and outhouse facilities.

General upkeep of the hut is expected from the users when at the hut to maintain the upkeep.

Head north on Highway 99 beyond Pemberton towards Lillooet (Duffey Lake Road), until you get to a white public works sand shed 17 km from the valley bottom and park up there.

The trailhead/road starts 300m west of the parking, then stay left as the road intersects at both 200m and 1 km in.

At the end of the road, the trail to the hut is marked with orange diamond trail markers up the east side of the creek, follow these markers for 2-3 hours and the Wendy Thompson Hut is located near the head of the valley at 1830m on a bench about 500m past a small lake.

From this Hut, you have access to some of the best backcountry skiing in South West British Columbia, Marriott Basin.

Providing a pleasant alpine basin of lakes and meadows in relatively gentle terrain with good ski touring qualities.

Popular ski tours include Pk 2300 which is the obvious choice for recreationalists staying at the hut, with a fantastic 300m run known as Honey Bronzed and Very Desirable.

Other skiable runs include options in the Upper Marriott Basin, Mt Marriott, and Mt Rohr.

While a sought after route/loop is known as the Haylemore-Spruce Creek Loop which provides excellent skiing in the headwaters of Hayle Creek & Spruce Creek east of the Hut.