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.
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.
