Kees and Claire Hut at Russet Lake: the 60-day rolling window (90 for club members), 6-bed limit, 30-day refund rule and how to catch a cancelled bunk.
About
The Kees and Claire Memorial Hut sits just above Russet Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park, on the Spearhead Traverse above Whistler. The Spearhead Huts Society built it in 2019, and it's now one of the most popular ski-touring and hiking huts in the Sea to Sky. It's open almost all year: the Society says it operates 12 months a year with two operational closures, one in fall and one in late spring (May 18 to June 18 in 2026). The closure dates page lists the current ones.
In summer you can walk in three ways, according to the hut page:
- Musical Bumps from the Peak Express: about 9.4 km and 515 m of gain, 2.5 to 4.5 hours
- Musical Bumps from the Roundhouse Lodge: about 10.5 km and 760 m, 3 to 5 hours
- Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village: about 14 km and 1,450 m, 4 to 6 hours
In winter, if Whistler Blackcomb's backcountry access points are closed, Singing Pass is the only way in, and it's the only route for snowshoers.
The sites
- 38 bunks in six sleeping areas. Mats are provided; bring a three-season sleeping bag.
- Four two-burner propane cooktops with cookware and dishes, plus propane heaters and a furnace
- LED lighting and 12 USB charging ports
- Running tap water that is currently non-potable, so boil or treat it
- No garbage bin, so pack everything out
The house rules: use only your assigned bunk, check out by 10am, and no candles, drones, smoking, vaping or skis inside. Dogs aren't allowed in Garibaldi Park.
How booking works
Booking is through the Spearhead Huts online reservation system, not BC Parks. From the reservations FAQ:
- Public window: 60 days ahead, on a rolling basis.
- Members: BCMC, ACC Vancouver and ACC Whistler members can book up to 90 days ahead with a valid promo code. Every person in the party needs a valid membership number.
- Group size: six beds per reservation at most.
- Confirmation: you pay by credit card and get a "Confirmation Pending" email. A booking administrator then reviews it and sends the confirmation.
Last checked: October 2026.
When it sells out
Weekends go first, especially in ski season. When we looked at the calendar in October 2026, the mid-December Saturdays were already showing no beds, while early-December nights still had plenty. Because members get a 30-day head start, many weekend beds are gone before the public window even reaches them.
How to get a cancellation
The Society's cancellation policy sets the timing:
- Within 24 hours of the confirmation email: 100% refund
- 30 or more days before the first night: refund minus an admin fee of 10% or C$10, whichever is greater
- Under 30 days: the full fee is forfeited
- If Avalanche Canada rates the hut's area EXTREME for your dates, a full refund, as long as you cancel by 11:59pm the night before
Rescheduling isn't allowed, and reservations can't be transferred or resold. So beds come back mainly just before the 30-day mark, when people decide whether to keep their money. A few more appear in the final days if the avalanche rating is EXTREME.
Watch Kees and Claire Hut on Canada Camp Alerts and we'll alert you when a booked-out night has a bed again. A night counts as open when any bed is free. We don't match your group size or keep the same bunk across nights, and we don't book or hold beds. The free plan is one watch with email alerts 15 minutes late. The season pass (C$25 once, 12 months, no auto-renew) gives up to 10 watches and instant alerts by email, Telegram or web push.
Tips
- If you're a member of one of the three clubs, use the 90-day window. It's the biggest advantage on offer.
- Watch midweek nights as well as weekends. They're easier, and a Thursday-to-Friday trip may come together faster than a Saturday.
- Overnight parking in Whistler's Day Lot 4 is paid by PayByPhone or at Municipal Hall.
Nearby alternatives
60 days on a rolling basis for the public. Members of the BCMC, ACC Vancouver or ACC Whistler can book up to 90 days ahead with a promo code, and every person in the party must be a member.
No. The hut is run by the Spearhead Huts Society and booked through its own online system at spearheadhuts.org. BC Parks' reservation service doesn't sell it.
Up to six beds per reservation.
Not necessarily. A night counts as open when at least one bed is free. We don't match your group size, so check the count on the booking page.