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Tunnel Creek

Tunnel Creek Hut is a mountain recreation facility located in Tunnel Creek in the Lizard Range. The project has been in planning for almost a decade and was brought to fruition in December of 2011 when the light-weight modern hut and out-house were flown to their foundations at 5600ft.

In the Autumn of 2015 a large day-use addition was completed. This new addition has a wood stone and kitchen. The original cabin remains as the sleeping area for overnight guests.

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This was the first hut to be constructed by the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club in over 20 years and celebrates a new era in backcountry skiing and mountain sports. Technology, awareness, education and adventure have reached new limits and the new facility reflects these advancements.

In Fernie, lift serviced skiing celebrated its 50th year of operation at Fernie Alpine Resort. Lift serviced skiing brought skiers to the Elk Valley and they soon discovered the backcountry and developed motivation and created technology to effectively explore and ski the peaks. At the same time, 40 years ago, the Mountain Equipment started selling affordable mountain adventure tools in Vancouver and further facilitated this adventure spirit.

For us the spirit came together with all the volunteers and organizations that helped make this project happen. From the trail builders to the fundraisers and the carpenters and their helpers, the community gathered and made it happen. This project owes its existence to the the great people and following organizations who donated their resources. Thank you!

In 2022 the original bunk house was replaced with a new larger structure to meet todays increased usage.

The rebuild was an investment of 600 hours of volunteer time and $32,000 in materials and helicopter support. The increased space, enclosed wood shed, trap door wood entrance, new beds, new wood stove, new lighting, new kitchen counter and grey water sink, and other details have created a new level of comfort.

Here is the list of organizations and businesses who without their support, the Tunnel Creek Hut rebuild would not have happened. Thank you!

Columbia Basin Trust
Recreation Sites and Trails BC
Regional District of East Kootenay Area A
City of Fernie
Canadian Tire Fernie
Regional District of East Kootenay Area B
Regional District of East Kootenay Area C
District of Sparwood

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