Ski Hut Trip in the San Juan Mountains

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • All necessary protective equipment where it is required
    • Assistance in arranging post-trip activities in the area
    • At least two full days in the field

  What’s not included:

  • • Ski hut reservations
    • Accommodation in a ski hut
    • Food, snacks and bevarages
    • Accommodation and meals for your guide
    • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Accommodation in Telluride

  Price does NOT include the cost of the hut. When booking your hut, please also be sure to reserve a spot and meals for your guide.  

• How do I book a ski hut?

  If you haven’t booked a hut yet, take a look at some of the popular huts in the vicinity. To reserve your spot, simply visit the hut’s website, find a date that is available and fits your preferences and book!

  OPUS Hut: Perched at 11,600ft, the OPUS Hut is an eco-friendly lodge, with a rustic wood interior, multiple decks and a wood burning fire place, ready to welcome. All stays include meals for the party, including breakfast, an afternoon soup and dinner. For availability, see the calendar at the site.

  Thelma Hut: With easy access from U.S. Highway 550, this private off-grid hut sleeps eight in modern-rustic style. After you settle in,  enjoy time in the sauna and get ready for your adventure. Meal packages booked with your stay include afternoon soup/snack, dinner and breakfast the next morning.

  Red Mountain Alpine Lodge: The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge is a brand new, beautiful custom timber frame lodge located at 11,000′ on Red Mountain Pass, with Ouray 20 minutes to the North and Silverton only 15 minutes to the South. With a sleeping capacity of 19 – 22 people, premium amenities, and wholesome dinners, breakfast, trail lunches and aprés snacks, you’ll enjoy your stay!

  Alta Lakes Observatory: The Observatory is a private backcountry cabin located 13 miles from Telluride, CO, nestled underneath the 13,000-foot Palmyra and Silver Peaks. With 12 beds, fully-equipped kitchen, hot tub and other modern amenities, you’ll have the best warm haven to return to after a day on the slopes. Snowmobile transportation services can be provided for people and/or provisions !

  Please keep in mind that you should reserve the lodging and meals for your guide as well.

• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. While there is terrain for all skill levels in the San Juan Mountains, you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner-friendly, meaning anyone with challenging blue or black level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First-aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented in local gear shops or from the guide shop’s selection of loaner and rental gear. You can rent:

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles
    • Splitboards

  Ski rental locations are in Telluride and Ouray and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing:

  • • For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 5:1.
    • Costs per person decrease as the group grows for private lessons, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.

  Ski touring in the San Juan Mountains can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The departure location is usually the company’s office in Telluride. Since Telluride is a very remote town, the quickest way there is flying. Only a few airlines fly directly into town, while others usually offer flights to nearby Cortez and Montrose. It’s a 1.5-hour drive from both towns to Telluride, while Grand Junction is only 2.5 hours away. From there, you’ll head to your tour.

  The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group.

• Covid measures in Colorado

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Colorado, please refer to the Official Colorado COVID-19 Update Website.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Cancellation policy

  Day Trips Cancellations
  Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
  Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
  Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.