Bill Putnam (Fairy Meadow) Hut

Bill Putnam (Fairy Meadow) Hut

Built 1965

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 (trail passable/cleared in June 2024). The Great Cairn Hut is a day’s mountaineering travel to the south.

Hut Facilities

Bill Putnam (Fairy Meadow) Hut Features

Open All Year

Features

World Class Granite Mountaineering

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 nights!

Trail Access

Access is via Helicopter or a very long and very difficult hike (hiking is absolutely not recommended).

Rates

Member Rates

  • Standard $50

Non Member Rates

  • Standard $60

Hut Lottery Closed

The lottery for the 24/25 season is currently closed. The lottery dates for the 25/26 season will be from April 1- May 5, 2025. More information to follow.

Features

World famous backcountry powder

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).

Lottery Details

Ski weeks at Fairy Meadow are very popular and are reserved by lottery.

How The Ski Week Lottery Works:
  • Lottery applications are accepted only for the weeks which are shown during the application process, however, there may be additional weeks added during the lottery application period.
  • The winning applicant in the lottery must have an active ACC Membership to secure the booking.
  • Weeks that are declined by the lottery winners will be made available to that week’s first runners-up.

Price and Payment Policies
  • Lottery entries are $20 per entry.
  • If the winner accepts the week, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required and must be received within 7 days.
  • Final payment is due 90 days prior to trip departure.
  • All payments are to be made in one payment. We do not accept partial payments.
  • Booking rate covers an exclusive 7-night hut booking (maximum capacity of 20 people), return flights, and taxes.
  • All payments for ski weeks are 100% non-refundable once processed. The ACC does not refund or discount any ski week bookings due to weather, flight delays or other situations beyond our control. Dates are non-transferable.
  • The ACC reserves the right to cancel bookings without notice in the case of late payments.

Flight Access
  • Travel days are Saturdays with departures from Golden, BC.
  • Maximum baggage weight for flights is 100lbs per person. All baggage will be weighed before your flight.
  • Your group will be charged should additional flights be required to accommodate extra baggage.

Trail Access

Access is via helicopter and included in the rates shown below.

Ski Week Rates

Start Exploring

Location

Have More Questions?

Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious novice, find out everything you need to know about ACC Huts.

We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Ski Weeks and personal trips

Hut History

In 1965, the Fairy Meadow Hut was constructed by the Alpine Club of Canada as a project proposed and overseen by Bill Putnam. In 1973 the first structure, which was woefully inadequate for the heavy snowfall of the area, was totally renovated and enlarged, a project once again largely funded and overseen by Bill Putnam . Bill Putnam devoted his life to the mountains. He was the President of the American Alpine Club for years and was on their Board of Directors for decades. Putnam has also contributed heavily to Canadian mountaineering history. He spent half a lifetime exploring the Selkirks, Purcells and Rocky Mountains, and took part in writing guidebooks for the same areas (Rocky Mountains of Canada – South and North, Columbia Mountains of Canada – Central, and West and South). In addition to these, he has written several history books about the same mountains.

The hut is regularly used in the winter months for ski camps, both by the national Club as well as by various Club sections. The Club’s General Mountaineering Camp, although not utilizing the hut itself, has been held in the Fairy Meadow area on three separate occasions since 1981. The hut renovations in the summer on 1992 included complete gutting and refurbishing of the interior, new outhouses and the addition of a propane stove. The hut is presently in excellent condition.

Rab Canada sponsors the ACC hut network.
We thank them for their support.

Fairy Meadow spring bonus week available May 3-10, 2025.

X