Hut Bookings

ACC Vancouver Section Huts Use and Booking Guidelines Policy

ACC Vancouver Section Huts Use and Booking Guidelines Policy

Note: The ACC Vancouver Section may update any aspect of this document (including cancellation policy or hut rates) at any time. Users are responsible for reviewing it regularly.

Users of the huts and surrounding areas must respect each other regarding noise. Noise carries easily in mountain settings, especially at Lake Lovely Water.

Please help maintain our huts and the privilege to have the huts in these fantastic locations.

1. Introduction

• Users must respect ACC huts and leave them in good condition. Abusive behavior or damage will result in loss of hut privileges.

• ACC huts are for accommodation purposes only. The Alpine Club of Canada is not responsible for injuries, damages, or other incidents arising from hut use.

• Read this document fully before booking or visiting the huts, as it includes essential items to bring.

2. What We Supply

ACC Vancouver will do our best to have certain supplies stocked in the huts listed below. 

• 2 × 2-burner propane stoves (propane tanks outside; users may need to swap tanks)

• Table settings for 12 at Haberl, 16 at Tantalus (dishes, cutlery, mugs, glasses, plus a few serving pieces)

• Pots, pans, coffee pots, strainers, serving utensils

• Dish soap, bleach for rinse water, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves

• BBQ (small green propane cylinders must be brought and removed by users; functionality not guaranteed)

Important: Propane lanterns are no longer provided since 2021 due to fire hazard/insurance reasons; bring your own LED lighting. No open flames (e.g., candles) are allowed.

3. Items to Bring

Please take in the following items that are not supplied:

• Extra food (especially for potential delays at Haberl Hut with inability to walk down the glacier)

• Toilet paper (do not leave in outhouse)

• Hand sanitizer

• Matches or lighters

• LED lighting (headlamps or lanterns)

• Wood kindling and newspaper for the wood-burning stove

• Fire starter (e.g., SOL All Weather Fire Cubes from MEC (code 5061-252))

• PLEASE DO NOT USE OTHER FIRE STARTER, IT GUMS UP THE FLUE unless they are similar to the above product

• Tea towels and paper towels (take out)

• Rag for cleaning Haberl stove glass door (take out)

• Green propane canisters for hut BBQ (functionality not guaranteed

• Personal emergency supplies, first aid kit, safety equipment, communication devices

• Wag Bags (March to end of ski season at Haberl Hut, if outhouse is inaccessible)  

Not Permitted (BC Parks & ACC Vancouver), also see BC Parks website:

• Beer kegs or excessive alcohol

• Sound systems or loud music

• Axes or saws

• Inflatable watercraft (paddle boards,  Explorer 200’s rafts, personal water floats, etc.)

• BBQs outside the hut-supplied one

• Smoking, vaping, toking, use of recreational drups in/around huts

• Bringing firewood or cutting wood in forest (Tantalus Hut)

• Fires anywhere in the park

• Using cooking stoves on docks or heli pads

• Removing hut furniture

• Placing anything on/near emergency heli pads (Tantalus outhouse area, Haberl heli pad/snow east of hut) see safety notes below. 

• Camping directly beside huts; designated tent areas only.  See safety notes below. 

• Non-booked guests using huts or boats

4. Hut Use Instructions

• The huts must be locked whenever they are unoccupied to prevent unauthorized entry.

• During your stay, please note the remaining cleaning supplies and firebricks, the fullness of the honey pots, and any issues encountered.

• Email observations or concerns to [email protected]

• Your feedback helps us operate and maintain the huts.

Shutters

• Haberl Hut: Open by loosening tethered nuts outside; close and replace nut on departure. Keep windows clear of snow and shutter movable for fire egress.

• Tantalus Hut: Support shutters from outside when raising/lowering. Upper bedroom loft shutters can be gently pushed open. Close all shutters on departure.

 Wood Burning stoves 

• Fuel: compressed fir sawdust bricks 

• Restock inside if supply falls below 10 bricks

• Keep bricks dry; do not overload stove (max 3 bricks), follow diagram on wall, they burn hot, could ruin stove

• Use kindling/newspaper to start fire; follow posted diagram

• The SOL Survive Outdoors Longer All Weather Fire Cubes (approximately $12 from MEC, code 5061-252), or a similar product from another outdoor store, work well for starting fires.

• Do not use other fire starters unless they are similar to the product above, as they can gum up the chimney flue.

• Do not dry items or hang near stove; keep glass clean (glass stove door cleaner provided) for heat radiation

• damper may be turned down to slow burning
• avoid opening stove door when hut door is open to avoid downdrafts and smoke in the hut
• upon departure;   1. fire is out  2. door to stove is closed  3. damper is closed.

Fire bricks: Haberl supply is kept on large storage shelves. Tantalus supply in brown wooden box near stove.  Both huts  may have extra boxes of bricks under each hut sitting on pallets and covered by blue tarps. They must be kept wrapped well and free of moisture. 

Haberl Hut –Make sure the chimney flue, and fire box are clear of snow before lighting. 

Water and Cooking

• Melt snow/heat water on flat top wood stove or propane stove carefully; do not boil dry

• When melting snow, add a small amount of water to the pot first to prevent burning. Additional guidance on snow melting can be found online.
• if melting snow ensure there is some water in bottom to avoid burning the pot

• No open flames, (smoking, vaping, toking, use of recreational drugs in/around huts)

• Cooking stoves: open outside propane tanks first, then stove valves; follow posted instructions; turn off at end of stay

• DO NOT remove batteries from smoke/CO₂ detectors, ventilate if smokey. Don’t put yourself or others in danger!!!!

Propane tanks

• it may be necessary to switch out a propane tank during your stay. Please follow procedures posted in the Hut.

Washing dishes

• Wash in hot soapy water, rinse with bleach water, air dry

• Bring tea towels/washcloths (take out with you)

• Haberl Hut (winter/early spring): capture grey water in bucket under sink by gently twisting black pipe over bucket and empty outside in designated area away from snow water collection site

Fires 

• Absolutely forbidden at all times within the Tantalus BC Park including at the Sandbar and at the Haberl Hut which is situated on the Park boundary 

•  In 2024 a small Lake shore wildfire started. Deemed likely human caused. Fortunately no lives lost and no injuries but, 3 canoes and the floating dock burned.
• Please do not smoke, cook or have any open flames in the area. 
• Do not leave glass or highly reflective materials in the sun on dry surfaces as it may concentrate the sunlight and start a fire.
• The dry summer conditions and high wildfire have prevented use of the wood burning stove at Lake Lovely water.  Use is not guaranteed each year.  
• BC Parks has rangers that check the area regularly.

Emergency Equipment/cautions & Cellular Coverage

• Do not touch Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment at the Haberl Hut unless deemed  an emergency. Inform us through your hut booking if it was used and what was used so it can be replaced. ENSURE everyone’s safety. 

• Tantalus Hut: limited cellular at emergency helipad high point. Haberl Hut: limited near south windows inside or on high point of the rocks outside sleeping rooms. Text or emails seem to work more reliably.  ACC Van mode of communication with you is through your booking email. 

• Emergencies: call 911 or your emergency contact

• Emergency Preparedness and communication are users’ responsibility

• A fire suppression plan is posted in both huts. Please read and follow it upon arrival.

• Upon arrival, familiarize yourself with the locations of fire extinguishers, egress ladders, and smoke alarms.

• No first aid kits, AEDs, Naloxone kits, or EpiPens are supplied or stored at the huts, as their availability and condition cannot be guaranteed.
• At the Haberl Hut, the vestibule is unlocked for emergency shelter only and is not intended for camping. Please keep the door closed to prevent snow and rain entry.

• Do not place anything on or near emergency helicopter landing areas, including:

  • The helipad above the outhouse at the Tantalus Hut

  • The wooden helipad at the Haberl Hut

  • The snow-covered area east of the Haberl Hut

  These areas are required for emergency landings, passenger transport, hut maintenance, SAR operations, and BC Parks business. Helicopters land regularly and without notice and must never be obstructed by people or tents for a safe and level landing at the pilots discretion. 

• Helicopter
  Travel by or being in the vicinity of helicopters, especially over mountainous or alpine environments, includes exposure to risk of helicopter
  crashes, being struck by rotating helicopter blades and tail rotors, mechanical malfunction of
  helicopters, and pilot error that may result in bodily injury or death. 

Boats and Canoes on Lake Lovely Water

• For hut renters only as per our Park Use Permit and must be locked up when not in use

• Do not lend to non-booked guests (general public/campers or other ACC members) they must be booked into the hut

• Organize boat use among group fairly

• keep paddles and life jackets inside the vestibule at all times when not in use. Do not leave at the dock or in the boats.

Outhouses

• Tantalus: BC Parks urine-diverting toilet; keep clean, follow posted instructions inside

• Haberl: check/switch outhouse barrel as needed; gloves provided

• Respect natural environment; remove all waste, including Wag Bags if required

Haberl Hut – OUTHOUSE BARRELS DURING YOUR STAY

It may be necessary to switch out the outhouse barrel.

• check fullness at beginning of stay, switch out if needed, instruction posted in outhouse
• two people makes its easier, barrel chamber below throne room, gloves inside room
• Do not throw gloves/garbage into barrel, clogs up pump out then they won’t pump out anymore
• only human waste and toilet paper in barrel
• only pee outside in designated area
• WINTER – use stick in outhouse to break down waste from piling up. Do not use urinal, pee outside in designated area.

5. Clean-Up Instructions

• Take all garbage and leftover food with you. Anything left attracts mice. 

• Ensure fire is out, stove door/damper closed

• Wash and put away dishes, wipe counters/tables with soapy bleach water. A light spray of bleach water can be left on surfaces to dry.

• Sweep floors

• Turn off propane valves at tanks and stoves

• Lock hut if last group leaving, rotate the dials on the lock

• Haberl Hut during the winter months.  Empty the grey water bucket in the designated location (see diagram in hut) and replace it under the kitchen sink.

6. Booking Guidelines & Reservation Policy

• Confirmed reservation required to stay at the huts; no refunds for any reason

• Whole hut bookings

• Payment via e-transfer to [email protected]

• You are confirmed once full payment has been made and you receive a confirmation email of receipt stating your party is booked

• Full names, emails, cell numbers, membership numbers required for all members of group

• Include helicopter/boat company or mode of transportation 

• ACC Vancouver Section members may book for members-only groups; non-members may book for themselves

• Rates and relevant details are found on the preceding pages of the Huts Section of the website for each hut, please read
• Guides and Commercial Film shoots please ensure you have appropriate PUP and insurance please contact [email protected] for booking

• Section Trips/Courses contact [email protected] 

• Section trips,/courses, guides, and commercial film shoots, the cancellation policy applies.

• Professional Guides please advise your clients of the cancellation policy and advise them of Trip Cancellation Insurance options. Due to the increase costs of maintenance all users of the Huts including Guides will need to pay the Hut fee. The ongoing financial support of all users especially for the Haberl Hut will continue to pay tribute to Jim Haberl to keep his hut in working order.

• Booking requests:  

  • you will be contacted as quickly as possible between 3-7 days

  • email requests will be held in sequence to keep the process fair.

  • We recommend booking at least 7 days in advance.

Changes/Cancellations/Inquiries to or about your booking:

• There are no refunds for any reason; no weather considerations
• If you cannot fly up to the Tantalus hut there is a trail to hike up as an option.
• If you cannot get into your hut, you can move your reservation to another open spot during the same booking season to either hut. A fee difference may be due if moving from weekday to weekend
• Contact back through your original booking confirmation email for this purpose
• Reservations are NOT carried over to the next season. Do not book unless understood

• There will be no partial refund if your party size decreases.  The person making the booking can fill the spot and notify us at  [email protected] using your original confirmed booking email.

• NOTE: Your booking will be cancelled, and no refund given and no further use of the Huts should your booking or use have any deception associated with it. IE: taking in more people than what you booked for. Claiming member discount when you are not a member.  Accessing the Huts without permission.

• It is the responsibility of the group booking person to read all the Booking and Hut use guidelines and to ensure all group participants have also. Any cancellation must be made by email using the original confirmation email, to [email protected]

  NOTE very important:

  The lock code will be sent as late as the night before your trip as it can change frequently. If you have not received it, it is the responsibility of the person booking to reach out and request it using your confirmation email.  The ACC and the user will both take responsibility to ensure the code is sent. 

**Please ensure that you bring a printed copy of your confirmation with you to the Huts for verification by an ACC Vancouver custodian/representative.

PLEASE PLAN AHEAD.

Site Visits: 

•  ACC custodians, executive members or Park Rangers may be present on any given day
• may stay inside the Hut   
• General supplies may be brought in, repairs, or checking of the outhouse barrels/switching out/flying out of them.   
• The custodian will be provided with a list of usernames to perform a check and verify who is booked into the hut. 
• If people are found to have abused booking guidelines or abuse our property they will no longer be welcome to use our huts.

There is no overnight camping in the immediate vicinity of our Huts.  Day use of the Huts or boats is not permitted. Campers are not allowed to use the huts.  Dogs and other pets are not allowed inside of our huts.

Camping near the Haberl Hut is at the Old Red Tit Hut site to south approx 100m up the rocks.  This will not interfere with the Helicopter access and risk your tent being blown away.  Only BC Parks Tent Pads in the vicinity of the Tantalus Hut can be used for camping. As required by BC Parks, campers at Lake Lovely Water must use bear canisters. See BC Parks website for up to date use of these pads.

7. Costs 

Costs are outlined on the Haberl and Tantalus Hut pages.

• 5% GST are added to the costs.
• cost breakdown is provided prior to payment
•  GST # 106 704 182 RT 0003
• ACC Vancouver membership is verified for reduced rates
• All funds support maintenance and capital projects of the huts

8. How to make a booking request

Step 1:  Fill in the booking form below

• MUST Include the first and last names, emails, cell numbers of all of your group members.
• Include any ACC Vancouver Section membership numbers with those names.  (will be verified)(does not apply to other sections). (To get ACC Van Sec discount, membership must be supplied at the time of booking. No adjustments after booking complete)
• Ensure that your date requested is in the Month/Day/Year format, as people have missed reservations because they used the wrong format.
• Must provide the name of the Helicopter company you are flying with or the boat company or person taking you across the river.

Step 2: Pay the Whole Fee  when requested to do so Note: this takes place in a separate step

9. Understandings

Users will need to be aware of and accept to be able to book the Huts:

• I have read and understand the ACC Vancouver Section Huts Use and Booking Guidelines Policy that are said to be in current use and have read all the Huts information found on the accvancouver.ca website leading up to the reservation form.
• I understand the Tantalus mountain range is extremely complex in nature. Navigating the terrain is very demanding and requires a strong group with extensive backcountry experience and impeccable decision making. There are large expanses of steep, open terrain, multiple overlapping avalanche paths, and minimal options to reduce exposure. Unless you’re absolutely confident in the skills of your group, please consider hiring a professional guide
• I understand that travel by or being in the vicinity of helicopters, especially over mountainous or alpine environments, includes exposure to risk of helicopter
  crashes, being struck by rotating helicopter blades and tail rotors, mechanical malfunction of
  helicopters, and pilot error that may result in bodily injury or death. 
• I understand float plane users should be aware that travel by float place or in the vicinity of float planes includes exposure to being struck by the wings or tail, rotating blades, and pilot error that may result in bodily injury or death. 
• I understand crossing the Squamish river to access the trail up to Lake Lovely Water carries the risk of unexpected water entry, being swept away or drowning 
• I understand crossing the Squamish River by the cable carries the risk of being stuck part way across, inversion if clipped in and fall resulting in inversion resulting in injury or death or falling into the water, being swept away or drowning. 

• Contact BC Parks Alice Lake/Brackendale office or Squamish Water Sports for river crossing services.

• No refunds will be issued if you cannot access the area, so ensure all arrangements are made in advance.

• I understand that the route from Tantalus Hut to Haberl Hut is not accessible by a summer trail and involves travel over glaciated and other hazardous terrain.
• I understand the people using the boats at Tantalus Hut at Lake Lovely Water will use the provided life jackets and for children parents will take in your own life jackets and if no life jackets are available people will not use the boats at the risk of drowning. The boats will not be loaned out to non booked in guests.
• I understand the outflow creek adjacent to the Tantalus Hut is deep and fast flowing and adults should closely monitor children.
• I understand the area around the Tantalus and Haberl Huts is rugged and not suitable for children.
• I understand that I and all of my group are responsible for removing all of our garbage.
• I understand that I and all of my group are responsible to clean the hut following the guidelines in the hut and the written instructions on the preceeding pages
• I understand that dogs (or other pets) are not allowed in the Huts or tied up around the huts
• I understand that I have fully read the Hut Use and Booking guidelines document and all preceding hut website pages for important information relevant to my stay and the upkeep of the Huts and that I have ensured the people in my booking have read them also.  In particular, NOTE:  There are no refunds for any reason.  If you cannot fly up to the Tantalus hut then Hiking up is an option.  For River crossing contact BC Parks at the Squamish/Brackendale office or Squamish Water Sports. If you cannot get into your hut, you can move your reservation to another open spot during the same booking season.  Contact back through your original booking confirmation email. Reservations are NOT carried over to the next season.  Please understand this no carry over and don’t book unless you understand this.
• I understand the risks involved with backcountry travel, and realize that navigation to and from the Tantalus and Haberl Huts, as well as proper safety management for this trip, is my responsibility.
• I understand that ensuring potable drinking water is my responsibility
• I understand after March 1st until the end of ski season, Wag bags or another method of Human waste removal at the Haberl Hut maybe required to be taken in as a backup should the outhouse be buried by snow or otherwise not accessible.  All waste to be flown out along with all your garbage upon departure.  (Wag bags can be purchased at MEC or other outdoor stores)
• I understand the ACC Vancouver Section at anytime may make changes to any aspect of this document (including the cancellation policy or huts rates).  It is up to the user to familiarize themselves with it and review it frequently for any changes.
• I understand the lock code will be sent as late as the night before my trip as it can change frequently and if I have not received it, it is the responsibility of my group booking person to reach out and request it using the confirmation email and with this the ACC and the user will both take responsibility to ensure the code is sent. 
• I understand Tantalus Hut cellular access on the highpoint of the emergency helipad just beyond the outhouse is possible at times and that sometimes calls and texts work and that Emails can be attempted should communication be necessary with the ACCV as Email their mode of communication. 
• I understand any emergency should be directed to 911 or to my emergency contact to initiate a SAR call out and that preparedness for backcountry travel is the responsibility of the hut users with which we must provide our own reliable mode of communication for emergencies. 
• I understand mine and my groups cell numbers and emails are required for booking and will be given to search and rescue/emergency services or to COVID tracking services should I or someone in my group or on our behalf initiates a search or one of us becomes ill with COVID.

By continuing to the booking system I confirm to have read the above and agree to all terms.