Ski Touring to the Tunnel Creek Hut in Fernie

 

I only spent a few hours here in the zone with a late start checking out of my air bnb and having to make my 4 PM flight. I figured if I made it to the hut by 1 PM, I would be able to ski down rather quickly then drive to YXC airport, return the rental car and catch my flight considering it is a small airport. The other 2 people at the hut were very surprised by how close I was cutting it. The ski out ended up being fast.

Staging area for the hut is at the junction of the Crowsnest and the Tunnel Creek FSR. There were 2 main entrances but the one at the southern side of the creek is correct

Skinning along the logging road

Emerging out beneath treeline

The logging road switchbacks back down the mountain but you want to veer up the creek

The route apparently follows an overgrown summer trail up this creek before going lookers right up to a bench  

Fernie Trails Association

Apparently you can participate in summer volunteer work which earns you early booking privileges for the hut. Some day users told me that while anyone can use the hut during the day to warm up, the other night bookings get filled up on all weekends almost instantly. 

The hut only sleeps about 6 and has plenty of room inside

Propane cooking stove and mats on the beds are a luxury! You can definitely get away with packing light 

Maps on the wall which indicated ski touring lines

A cool area with good access late in March 2025

Wahoo