Summit County Colorado Hut Ski Trips

What could be better than taking a group of friends along a snow covered trail into a backcountry hut for days full of hearty meals and great skiing. Reservations and permits are required and space is limited, so try to book well in advance. From Thanksgiving through April, the Colorado backcountry ski hut system is open to winter travel. Twenty-two huts sit along 300 miles of trail that links Summit County to Aspen. The terrain between the huts ranges between elevations of 9,700 and 11,700 feet. Find fantastic sites and pitches for telemark, randonee, and cross-country skiing within the White River National Forest.

Backcountry hut organizations offer great shelter for those who want to stay a little closer to nature in the middle of the winter. Depending on how much time you have or how far into the backcountry you wish to travel, huts are located in both easily accessible spots and extremely remote locals. A series of trailheads that access backcountry ski huts can be found along Highways 91 and 24, on the southwest side of Copper Mountain.

When planning a hut trip into the backcountry that surrounds Summit County, Colorado, it is important to be up to date on avalanche safety and weather conditions or forecasts. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment and specific safety skills. There are quite a few huts that are located in what is considered a "safe zone." No avalanche activity has been recorded in these areas and the huts are therefore recommended for hut trips with beginners or children.

Visiting a backcountry ski hut in the middle of winter can be a magical experience. Most hut visitors are seeking a similar sense of adventure, peace, and closeness to the great outdoors. Because space is limited the most difficult decision to make when planning backcountry hut trips is with whom to share this wonderful adventure.