COLORADO’S BACK COUNTRY HUTS
Experience the wild outdoors while exploring the system of Colorado’s back country huts. As snow is blanketing our majestic Colorado Mountains, outdoor enthusiasts are gearing up for a unique trip: a winter hut trip.
Whether you are a skier, splitboarder or a snowshoer, hut trips offer an excellent opportunity to connect with nature while exploring our states rugged backcountry wilderness. Enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of a hut after long day skiing or hiking with friends into these cozy mountain huts, is the highlight of many’s winter season.
Get outside of your comfort zone and explore the outdoors at one these amazing huts.
From the majestic peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the snow covered trails in Summit County, Colorado’s winter hut system provides an unforgettable adventure experience for all levels.
Most huts provide mattress and pillows, but you must bring your sleeping bag and a pillow case. Huts can have indoor flush or composting toilets, outhouses, running water or boiled water from snow and stocked kitchen equipment. Some had more luxury accommodations.
SUMMIT HUTS
Summit Hut Association operates five backcountry huts in Summit County: Francie’s Cabin, Janet’s Cabin, Ken’s Cabin, the Section House, and Sisters Cabin. All are open for winter use from November to May. Francie’s and Janet’s Cabins are also open for summer use from July to September. The Section House is operated by the Forest Service as a historic interpretive site open to day visitors in the summer months.
AMENITIES
Solar Powered Lights
Fully Stocked Kitchens
Wood Burning Stoves
Sauna (Francie’s + Janet’s + Sisters)
Indoor Toilets (Francie’s + Janet’s + Sisters)
Summit Huts at summithuts.org offers information on all the huts, the amenities, level of accessibility and terrain.
10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION HUTS
There are 38 backcountry huts in the non-profit 10th Mountain Division Hut Association system, connected by 350 miles of trails among some of the tallest peaks in the lower 48 states. The name honors the men of 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army, who trained during World War II at Camp Hale in central Colorado. Hut visitors share the special spirit of these individuals, especially their pursuit of excellence, self reliance, and love of the outdoors.
All the huts, have kitchens, with propane for cooking, stocked kitchen equipment, some huts have ovens and propane grills. A favorite Summit County outing is Shrine Mountain Inn, which includes several huts at the top of Vail Pass, then ski out the fourteen mile trail to Redcliff for a beer and Mexican food.
To learn about Shrine Mountain Inn or the other huts in the 10th Mountain system check out their website at huts.org
OPUS HUT
Located between Telluride and Silverton, near top of Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains, the hut is used for backcountry skiers, mountaineers, hikes and mountain bikers.
This hut accommodates up to 20 people in five rooms. The hut features solar-powered lighting, and outlets for charging electronic devices. It has filtered water, hot and cold tap water and indoor composting toilets. The hut has four to six employees in the winter who sleep in a separate cabin. They prepare natural, organic meals and can accommodate many types of diets. The also offer beer and wine and some spirits for purchase.
To get all the details or make reservation hop over to: opushut.com
CAMPFIRE RANCH RED MOUNTAIN PASS
Also located in the majestic San Juan’s the Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass is the perfect base for exploring world-class skiing, split boarding, snowshoeing and ice climbing. This hut is located between Silverton and Ouray. Most huts require you to carry your own food, sleeping bags and be off grid, Campfire hut provides food, Wi-Fi and bedding. It is the only hut that is dog-friendly and accommodates eight people.
Allow them to help make your next hut trip easier by selecting add-on options to your trip at Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass. From basic rental gear, guidebooks and their Adventure Concierge service will help you make the most out of your visit. For a virtual tour and full list of their amenities and service go to: campfireranch.co/campfire-ranch-red-mountain-pass
