A Beginners Guide to your First Back country Hut Trip

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Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you. The Backcountry can DANGEROUS. Make sure to have the proper equipment, partner, and education before venturing outside the ski resort.

Alright so you finally purchased a splitboard or touring set up for skiing and you’ve always wanted to do a winter hut trip with some friends. A hut trip is a great way to get away from the resort and connect with the outdoors. My friend Matias and I decided to book one in Breckenridge Colorado and venture over 6 miles to the top of Boreas Pass to do some split boarding and see what cabin life was like above 11,000 feet. It far exceeded both our expectations and the experience was like being back in time in a way. No cell service, a wood burning stove, and having to melt snow for water were just a few of the things we experienced each day.

What I liked most about doing a Hut trip was surviving through mostly old way of life techniques (keep reading for more info) and being out in the back country for a couple days. With that being said, in this post I’ll be going over how to book a hut trip, what gear to bring, and what to expect. Alright lets gooo..

What is a Hut Trip

A hut trip is where you snowshoe, skin, or hike in a mountain region to get to a Back Country Cabin (Hut). The cabins will be equipped with all the basic essentials for cooking and sleeping, however there is no running water or heat. You pack everything you need in a backpack and essentially hike out on snowshoes, skis, or a splitboard to the cabin.

How do you book a hut trip

You’ll want to reserve online as soon as the booking window opens as the huts can book up quickly, especially the more popular ones. Each state will have their own website with booking capabilities, FAQ, hut information, etc. For Colorado, I booked through the 10th Mountain Division. I listed more regions below with hut trip booking capabilities. There are private huts, huts run by the state/area, and huts that offer guides. Typically, check in time is 2pm and check out time is 11am.

Tahoe

Whistler

Tetons

Idaho

Utah

Are Back Country Hut Trips Expensive

It depends on the size of the hut and the location. The larger Huts can get up to 5-600 plus per night, but can sleep 14 people. If you’re able to fill the entire hut it averages out to about $50/person/night. Matias and I booked a three person hut and it cost $175 for the two nights.

Where can you park

At the trailhead there will be specific areas for people who book a hut trip to park. You should receive a parking pass via email to throw on your car dash.

When is the best time to go

Booking windows typically open up in the summer for the following winter, so it’s best to plan ahead! As huts/yurts do tend to book up. If you’re looking to do a hut trip in the summer the booking window tends to open up in the fall. Each area is different so check with the site you are booking through! Winter huts are typically open from Mid November through April. The best month for snow on average is Jan and February. However in April the days are longer meaning if it’s a long skin to the hut, you’ll have more daylight on your skin in.

Also keep in mind snowpack safety depending on where your hut or yurt are. March through Mid April can be a dangerous time as older weak layers begin to warm up. Make sure to always check the avalanche report and plan out your route before you head out to your Hut!

Can you Snowmobile to the hut

Double check the forest regulations for the area your hut is in! Kens cabin didn’t allow any motor vehicles up the service road in the winter.

What should we pack

Since every hut or yurt is different, your packing list will vary. However, I’ll list out basic essentials that I think would make your experience that much better. Either way whether your venturing out through more avalanche prone terrain or your doing a mellow skin up to the hut, I feel having these items handy will still always make good practice.

Shovel, Beacon, and Probe- Back Country huts are located in unmonitored terrain, if you plan doing any skiing or snowboarding, make sure you have these and know how to use them! There are huts where you will be going through dangerous prone terrain, so even if you aren’t going to ride it’s important to have these. Taking a Back Country safety course will help you with learning to use your equipment and navigating back country terrain.

Collapsable Poles- These are a must when touring, Black Diamond makes great collapsable poles for touring.

Pack- You’ll need a good pack to carry all of your supplies and food. I recommend a little bit larger pack in order to fit everything you need in it for a weekend trip. I really like Burton’s AK Dispatcher 35L pack. It’s specifically made for Splitboarding and back country riding. It has a storage component for your shovel, beacon, and probe on top of extra pockets.

Sleeping Bag/Down Jacket- A lightweight, down sleeping bag that’s packable will help keep you warm in the middle of the night when fire has gone out! It also will be crucial to carry a down jacket with you, just in case you get lost in the backcountry. I like Burton’s Expedition Jacket

Down Slippers- I wish I had these, you’ll need them for when walking around the hut

Medical Kit- You’ll def need this! Add things to your med kit that you seem fit and be familiar with what’s in it!

Pillow- A backcountry one will work great! Nemo makes some great lightweight, packable, pillows for camping.

Sunglasses/Hat-When touring (hiking up the mountain with ski’s or splitboard) It’s better to wear sunglasses and a hat so you don’t overheat).

Food/snacks- I went to REI to pick up packable dry-food that can be cooked later. They have a lot of options! I also recommend bringing some snacks as well. That’s one thing I wish I had packed more of were some sweets or chips.

Technical Outerwear- If you can, it helps when skinning or snow shoeing up to the hut to have lightweight, breathable, and durable snow outerwear. Something with no insulation but w/ room to add layers is great to have for these kinds of trips. Technical gear is important because as you hike out to the hut you will be constantly moving, creating sweat, and moisture. This kind of outwear will allow you to regulate your body temps better without sacrificing performance. I use Burton AK outerwear. It’s Gore-tex, lightweight, and functional!

Wilderness wash/lightweight towel- Dish soap is provided, however regular soap is good for washingi up before you go to bed.

Sunscreen- Must have these! You are in high alpine terrain, therefore sun exposure is much greater. Sun Bum is my favorite. Based out of Encinitas California, their stuff isn’t greasy.

Water Purifier- When melting the snow, you’ll want to purify the water after you boil it to get rid of dirt, sticks, etc.

GPS- It will help to have a Garmin Inreach in case you have an emergency with no service

Glop Stopper- For spring conditions you’ll want to pack this and rub on your skins to prevent the glue from pealing away.

Walkie Talkies- If you plan on doing more extreme missions, these are a must for communication. Also helps when skinning so that if one person gets ahead, they still have a way to communicate.

Headlamp- This will be helpful to have, especially if you plan on heading out to your hut after work when the sun starts to set.

What to Expect

Expect to hit weather and some possible darkness as you make your way to the hut. Things to keep in mind ahead of time are knowing your route, layering properly, and being prepared for a little workout. Cal Topo is a great app to map out the area and GAI is also a good app to download an offline maps. If you’re more old school pick up a map of the area at a local outdoor shop.

Each hut distance from the parking lot will be different, so make sure to pack enough water and snacks for your initial tour out to the cabin. Take breaks as needed and take in the amazing scenery when heading up. Once your settled in, stay on top of melting snow for water and heating your cabin with the wood burning stove (gets pretty cold once the fire goes out). Overall expect to have a fun outdoor experience away from crowds with friends.

What do huts come equipped with

Most Yurts and Huts should come with a propane gas stove, a kitchen stocked with basic utensils, pots, pans, paper towels, eating utensils, cups/mugs, plates, bowls, and a soap/sponge. There will also be matches, firewood, fire starters, beds, chairs, and a dining table.

Depending on the hut make sure to pack a camping pillow and lightweight sleeping bag.

How do you heat the Hut

Huts are heated by a wood burning stove. When you arrive there should already be a stack of wood from the previous group. As you use up the wood, there should somewhere either be already stacked wood or you have to chop more wood on your own. Kens Cabin where we stayed had a seperate storage shed that required you to chop your own wood. Make sure there is enough stacked in the hut for the next group.

Is there Electricity and Running Water

Huts will have electricity that is typically solar powered! However there is no running water. To get water, you have to melt snow (Summer huts should have a water source nearby). You can put snow in a big bucket and leave it on top of the stove to melt it. Then Boil the water and filter all of the dirt and grime though a water filter that you packed.

What food should we pack

I would recommend mostly freeze dried that can be cooked once your at the hut. Freeze dried food will be lightweight and easy to pack. If you have room in the bag I would try bringing extra snacks and sweets to make your trip that much better.

Is there a bathroom

There will either be an outhouse or a vaulted toilet inside the hut. These facilities will have hand sanitizer, but I would bring a bar of soap or wilderness wash with you.

Can you ski or snowboard around the hut

Yep! There will be terrain that you can tour up and ride down in the area that your hut is in. Make sure to check the avalanche report and snowpack before you start the day. Hut trips are also a great time to practice your back country skills, digging a snow pit, and doing a beacon check. The trip is more about the experience and less about the riding, so Matias and I only did a few low angle laps to make the 6 mile trek in worth it.

What about Avalanche Danger

Depending on the location of the Hut, there can be avalanche danger to and from the hut as well as the surrounding area that you decide to ski or snowboard on. That’s why it’s important to have the proper tools, partner, and plan. I personally play it safe and will only book huts that are in safer areas that have low angle terrain to play around on.

Hut Trips are also a great way to practice using your beacon, building a snow pit, and talking with others about snow safety. If this isn’t your thing then they have backcountry huts that you shouldn’t have to worry about avalanche danger and can just hang out and have a good time!

What can you do for fun with no technology

Huts may have cards and board games in them, which Kens cabin had, but maybe pack an extra deck of cards just in case. Since there isn’t much cell service it’s nice to bring a book and get lost in a good story. It’s also fun to just hang out around the fire, shoot the shit, and relax while eating a meal.

If your Huts in an area with mountain views, it’s always nice to catch a sunset, and enjoy the surrounding outdoor scenery.

Is there anything you need to do when you check out

You should receive an email with check-out instructions and there will also be check-out instructions in the hut. Make sure to restock the firewood, sweep the hut, and clean the kitchen area. Depending on the hut location you’ll either skin back to your car or ride back to the parking lot.

I asked Matias what he thought of the whole experience and he said, “Exhausting, but very rewarding. A lot of ups and downs initially when heading up to the hut, especially in the dark, but once we saw the cabin, pure joy and excitement overcame us. Once inside, it was very cozy and beautiful, while providing us with everything needed for an awesome experience in the back country. Overall, Ken’s cabin was a great entry level hut for anyone looking to do their first hut trip! Just make sure to pack a sleeping bag as it gets very cold at night when the fire goes out lol.”

That’s it for a beginners guide to your first back country hut trip! If you have any questions or info to add, leave comment below and if you’re looking to get more outdoor trip ideas and information, subscribe to our email list below! Thanks for reading the blog and I’ll see you on the next post.

Looking to take a cool ski or snowboard trip? check out Steamboat in Colorado, for awesome terrain, natural hot springs, and a cool downtown area.

Everything to know about Wolf Creek Ski Resort, A complete Guide

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you

Located in Southern Colorado, Wolf Creek is a hidden gem off the beaten path just outside of South Fork and Pagosa Springs. This mountain region will produce snow storms that no other resort in the state of Colorado comes close to getting, which is why it becomes a sought out destination for powder seeking skiers and snowboarders. The average annual snowfall alone is 430 Inches!

What I love about Wolf Creek’s Ski resort is the mom and pop vibes, cheap lodging, affordable lift tickets, and being able to ride most of the resort in 1-2 days. When no other resorts in Colorado seem to be getting snow, you can always count on a good storm to roll through this place, leaving a smile on your face from first chair to last. In this post I’ll be going over how to get Wolf Creek, where to stay, what to know, best time to go, favorite areas of the mountain, and what to pack. Alright, let’s goooo!

Where is Wolf Creek Located and How to get there

As mentioned above Wolf Creek is located in Southern Colorado in the San Juan Mountain region and the Rio Grande National Forest. Sandwiched between Pagosa Springs and South Fork, this resort sits at the top of Wolf Creek Pass on 1,581 acres of National Forest Land. There is only one road that goes through to get to Wolf Creek with the Durango Airport being the closest area to fly into. Below I’ve listed mileage and average times from certain parts of Colorado. Please Note, That Wolf Creek Pass can get pretty icy and snowy during winter months with low visibility. PLEASE plan your trip accordingly which includes good tires, brakes, emergency kit, food/water, blankets and enough wiper fluid in your car. Also, remember to follow the State of Colorado Traction laws. This information can be found on the Colorado Department of Transportation website. Below are some travel times by vehicle from different areas in Colorado.

Durango Airport: 80 miles/1.5 hours

Denver: 252 Miles/4.5 Hours

Summit County: 200 miles/3.75 hours

Eagle County: 235 miles/4 hours 20 min

Colorado Springs: 229 miles/4 hours

Flagstaff Arizona: 389 miles/7 hours

Where to Stay

South Fork is the town right outside of Wolf Creek and it takes about 20-30 minutes (17 Miles) to the resort depending on weather. Pagosa Springs is the other town on the west side of the resort (24 Miles). Both areas will have motels, cabins, Inns, Bed/breakfast, and resort lodging options. The lodging is fairly inexpensive compared to other ski resorts in Colorado. I really liked staying at the Wolf Creek Ranch Ski Lodge. Close to the resort and nice rooms. Also in South Fork if you like Tiny Homes, there’s Tiny Timbers.

If you stay in Pagosa Springs, it is more of a town with breweries, restaurants, and shops, however if Wolf Creek gets a lot of snow the pass will typically close on that side of the highway and you won’t be able to get to the mountain as early.

Does Parking cost anything

Parking is free and there are a handful of free lots. The Upper Lot at the Base fills up quick and there aren’t a lot of spots. However there are Lower Lots that have shuttle services operating that will take you to the resort (Alberta and Tranquility lots). These parking lots will be to the left as you enter the resort. For busier days there are parking lot attendants that will guide you to these parking lots.

For really busy periods and holidays there is an overflow lot east of the resort on Highway 160. Shuttles will run frequently to the resort from this lot. This is a great option if you plan on staying overnight (van living, RV, Camper, etc..), as overnight parking is not allowed in the lots mentioned above. Wolf Creek also offers handicap parking at the lower level of Base Camp (A bring your own lunch lodge) with an elevator.

How much are Lift Tickets and does the Ikon or Epic Pass work

The Ikon and Epic passes will not work at Wolf Creek. A Season Pass ranges in price depending on your age and the time of year that you buy. Early season passes for an Adult range from $700-$900+ and will go up in price by November. A really cool thing Wolf Creek does is they offer discounted prices for families. The more members in your family the cheaper the pass becomes. They will offer discounted pass rates for up to five people in a family.

Lift tickets for Adults are around $80/day with peak times being just under $100/day/person. If you go early season in November lift tickets can be around $50/day! It’s a lesser known deal that has many dedicated skiers and snowboarders driving down for the day if the snow is good.

Other lift ticket options include multi-day, half day, senior, child and military day passes. Half days start after 12:30 pm. Wolf Creek also offers group rate lift tickets for groups bigger then 25 people per day. Please note with group rate lift tickets there are peak dates that this option isn’t available.

When is the Best time to Ride Wolf Creek

Honestly, early season if most of the mountain is open. The reason being is because the mountain gets sooo much snow throughout the winter, that the runs start to loose their pitch and steepness. Lift tickets are also cheaper early season. That being said I would still track a storm (if you like riding deep snow) and make the trek down to Wolf Creek anytime through out the season. Also try to make it to this gem of a resort when it is a Bluebird day (sunny) as the views are pretty spectacular.

What is the Mountain Like

There’s no backside to Wolf Creek Resort and what I like about the mountain is how easy it is to get around as well as the variety of different terrain options. It has more challenging terrain like trees, cliffs, and chutes, but also mellow blues and greens if you just want to cruise around and have fun. The snow is also different when carving through it, compared to other resorts in Central and Northern Colorado. Feels almost like champagne powder.

Once you’ve gotten the blood flowing, head over to Alberta Lift. This lift will give you access to chutes, gullies, more tree runs, high alpine bowls, and steeper/longer runs. One of my favorite areas one the mountain when the snow’s deep, is the waterfall area. This can be accessed from Alberta or Treasure Stoke lifts. There’s 7 different Waterfall gates with 3 and 4 being my favorite. Gates three and four aren’t as steep and fill in real nice on deep days.

Is there any Beginner terrain

Yep, there is a little bit of beginner terrain and good amount of intermediate terrain. Twenty percent of the mountain is beginner and thirty five percent is intermediate. The very beginner terrain can be accessed off of lifts: Charity Jane Express, Nova and Elma. There will also be a few green runs off of the Raven lift. Intermediate terrain can be accessed off of lifts: Raven, Bonanza, D-Boyce, and Treasure Stoke. Raven and Bonanza have some great runs to start your day to allow for your legs to warm up. Plenty of great side hits, tree runs, and open areas for carving.

Is there any Hike-To Terrain

There’s two really good hikes I recommend doing, which are both off of the Alberta Lift. It’s going to be the hike right off the lift. If you go left it is the Knife Ridge Staircase. There’s some good chutes and bowls off of the ridge that you hike to. Sometimes the cat is running and will take people to the Horseshoe Bowl. If you go right you can hike to Step Bowl as well as Alberta Peak. Step Bowl will be more low angle, but is super fun on a powder day because its a wide open field. I recommend riding with a friend if you do these hikes!

Any good Tree Riding

There are some awesome trees off of the Treasure Stoke lift (skiers left) and Alberta lift (skiers left). Nothing too narrow and fun zones on the mountain to explore.

If you decide to do any of the Back Country terrain accessed through a gate, PLEASE have the proper equipment (shovel, Beacon, probe) and training (AVI 1 certification). You’ll also want to be with a friend if you end up riding back country terrain off resort.

Skiable Acres: 1,600

Summit Elevation: 11,904 feet/3628.339 meters

Vertical Drop: 1604 feet/488.899 Meters

Length of Season: Early November-Early April

Lift operating hours: 8:30am-4pm (can vary depending on weather)

Ticket Office Hours: 8:15am-4:30pm

Where can you eat and warm up on the Mountain

There’s a few different areas that have food as well as a bar on mountain. There’s the Prospector Grill behind the ticket office as well as a cafeteria and bar in the Wolf Creek Lodge. Both lodges will have sun decks for warmer days. At the top of the Raven Chairlift is a grill and restaurant and at the bottom of the Alberta lift is another grill. You’ll find the classic ski resort food at all of these places including burgers, brats, pizza, fries, soups, snacks, salads, and desert items. Looking for coffee or breakfast to fuel up before riding? There’s also a coffee shop at the top of the Treasure lift called, Continental. Breakfast is also served at the Prospector Grill from 8am-1030am.

Looking to save money? You can pack a lunch and eat it at Basecamp, an indoor lodge with seating. Not many resorts allow this anymore, making Wolf Creek even more unique then most ski resorts.

Are there any Ski or Snowboard Shops to rent or buy Equipment

There is a rental shop at the base of the resort as well as a retail shop called Treasure Sports. They sell jackets, pants, base layers, Goggles, Helmets, and accessories. Basically everything you need for a day on the hill.

The rental shop also offers tuning services which includes waxing, edging, and base grinding. There’s a package where you can take a pair of demo skis out for two hours while your own equipment is being tuned.

The Snowboard shop is located in the Dome next to the Wolf Creek lodge and ski rentals are located in the Sport Center across from the ticket office.

South Fork and Pagosa Springs will also both have ski/snowboard shops that rent and sell gear. 8200 Mountain Sports in South Fork has retail, rentals, and tuning services. They carry brands such as Never Summer, K2, Salomon, Icelantic, Hestra, Black Diamond, and more. If you’re looking for a ski or snowboard shop in Pagosa Springs check out Summit Ski and Sports as well as Pagosa Ski Rentals. Both shops will have rental and retail sections that sell softgoods, goggles, ski hardgoods, snowboard hardgoods, and accessories.

Where to eat

There aren’t many food options in South Fork as those will be on the other side of the pass in Pagosa Springs. However there’s still a couple good spots that I would recommend. For Breakfast, stop by Tiny Timbers for sandwiches, coffee, and baked goods. For Dinner and Apres’ I would check out Ramons, a Mexican restaurant on your way out after a day at the resort.

Is there a terrain park

Wolf Creek doesn’t have a terrain park however I’ve seen a rail at the bottom of the Treasure stoke lift early season.

Are there ski or snowboard lessons

Yep, Wolf Creek offers group and private lessons. They also offer private lessons for groups. One thing that is unique about WC is they do clinics throughout the season such as Ms. Monday and Tuesday Turns. It’s a way to package a lesson and lift ticket while giving you the opportunity to learn new skills on the mountain and possibly meet a few people.

What snow gear would work best for this trip

Depends on the conditions, below I listed items that I recommend to have a better day on the mountain

• Gore Tex Jacket and/or Pant

• Warm Gloves and Mitts

• Pair of goggles with two lenses one for sun and one for clouds

• Good base layers that wick moisture/sweat, but also keep you warm. These are especially important when doing the hikes at Wolf Creek!

• All mountain Snowboard or Skis. An all mountain set up will allow you to ride deep snow, but also carve on groomers. Burtons Family Tree line is perfect for riding the whole mountain

If you decide to ride early season, make sure to use caution when riding as there could be rocks, trees, and other debris. I asked Josh from New Zealand what his thoughts were of Wolf Creek and he said, “I tell you what, Wolf Creek is a dream come true. When they say most snow in Colorado, they aren't wrong at all, pow in November!!!!! Plenty of lift options give a wide variety of terrain and friendly safety first staff. 10/10 would go back :)

If you enjoyed this post, have questions, or have been to Wolf Creek and have information to add, please leave a comment below. Also, subscribe to our email list below for the latest information on trips, gear information, and outdoor activities. Thanks for checking out the blog and see you on the next post!

-Jeremiah