Summer 2024 Recap
The Spearhead. Photo: Iain Sherriff-Scott
As the days get shorter and the SHS prepares for a packed fall schedule, we’re excited to share a recap of our busiest summer season yet — and a look-ahead at this fall and winter.
More solar, less gas
As frequent hut users may know, in the spring, we completed the installation of an 18-panel solar array at Kees and Claire. The array, which sits on the East and South walls of the hut, can produce around 6500 watts in sunny conditions.
Since it went online in early April, the system has supported most of the electrical demand from the hut. Backed up by our propane generator for the darkest days, the solar system has proved capable of providing a boost even in low-light and stormy conditions.
The array was part of the hut’s original passive house design, with the end goal to use as little propane as possible. After nearly five months of solar production, we’re one step closer to that goal. Our propane consumption this summer was roughly 60 per cent lower than it was during the same period last year. That means less gas and fewer helicopters.
A big thank you to The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and Pacific Economic Development Canada for their financial support of this project.
The solar array at Kees & Claire. Photo: Iain Sherriff-Scott
New booking system is launched
In July, we launched a new reservations system for the Kees and Claire Hut. The system aims to make the booking process smoother and gives us tools to track important metrics over time.
There are two major changes to making a hut reservation with this new system.
The first is choosing a bunk when you book. Guests are prompted to choose a numbered bunk during the booking process. This helps our on-site volunteers make sure each paying guest has a bed. The second change relates to guest information. Guests are now required to provide the contact information for all members of their party to complete their booking.
The new system also allows us to offer limited paid overnight parking, reservable as an add-on to your reservation. You can read more about the above changes at this link.
Donor recognition plaques are installed
During the hut’s spring closure in June, our team installed a large array of engraved donor recognition plaques over the main staircase at Kees and Claire.
The plaques recognize the immense amount of time, money and volunteer effort that went into making this facility possible. The next time you’re at the hut, take a moment to check out these plaques!
The newly installed donor recognition plaques. Photo: Iain Sherriff-Scott
Volunteer recruitment and training
This month, we’re training a new cohort of winter custodians with two on-site training weekends on the books for Oct. 19-20, and Oct 26-27. We’re pleased to report that both weekends are almost full for custodian training.
The training weekends will get volunteers acquainted with the structure of a typical 1-2 night shift at the hut. We’ll gather for hands-on training, host a potluck dinner, and enjoy fall in the mountains before hiking out the following day.
Our goal this winter is to build on last season’s volunteer coverage at the hut — which reached about 95 per cent during our core season. With a larger volunteer team, we hope to have all hands on deck this winter to serve our guests!
If you’re interested in volunteering this winter, please apply through this intake form.
