Included: An experienced, AMGA-certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area 1-5 days private skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains All necessary protective equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe) where it is required Assistance in arranging post-trip activities in the area Add-ons Ski touring equipment Airbag Not included: Travel to and from southwest Colorado Ski hut reservations Accommodation in a ski hut Accommodation in Telluride Food, snacks and beverages Accommodation and meals for your guide Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Personal clothing and equipment Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — mandatory Note: The 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 fireplace, ready to welcome. All stays include meals for the party, including breakfast, an afternoon soup and dinner. For availability, see the calendar on the site. Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass (formerly Thelma Hut) With easy access from the 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. 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! Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge Tucked away in Richmond Basin above Ouray, this eco-lodge accommodates up to 16 guests in rustic comfort. Though wonderfully remote, the lodge offers unexpected comforts: cedar wood-fired hot tub, Starlink internet, and pristine spring water on tap. Your stay includes hearty chef-prepared breakfasts and locally-sourced dinners, with dietary restrictions accommodated when requested at booking. 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) 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 (but recommended)

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 This skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains is a private adventure. It takes a minimum of 1 person for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 5 participants. The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to ski with friends and family! A skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains can be arranged for groups larger than 5 people. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the skiing tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains is Telluride. To get there, most people fly into Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ) or Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) , both a 1.5-hour ride from Telluride. A few airlines also fly directly into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) , a 10-minute ride from Telluride. From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Telluride. Once you’re there, you will meet your guide in their office at a predetermined time.

Safety measures and insurance

Medical and travel protection is mandatory for this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner ! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

San Juan Mountains | Colorado

Ski Hut Trip in the San Juan Mountains

5.00 ()

One of the huts in BC and skis stuck in snow

A skier shredding powder in tree glades of British Columbia

From $590 ()

Book now

Duration

1 day

Season

December through May

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

The secret to skiing Colorado’s San Juan Mountains isn’t finding good snow—with 300 inches annually, that’s a given. The real magic happens outside resort boundaries, where untouched powder fills endless bowls and glades. San Juan offers backcountry skiing at its finest: breaking trails at sunrise and laying down fresh tracks from ridge to valley. From mellow tree runs to steep alpine terrain, these mountains have everything we’re looking for. With a guide for up to five days and your chosen hut as basecamp, we’ll discover terrain that matches our skills and pushes us just enough to keep things exciting.

Adventure highlights

Powder for days

Endless opportunities await on hundreds of miles of untracked snow
Home sweet hut

Enjoy the privacy and comfort of a modern backcountry hut
Above it all

Soak up the magnificent vistas of San Juan’s high country

Download itinerary

Itinerary

After you’ve booked your backcountry ski hut, join one of the local guides on this Colorado winter and enjoy a taste of the Alps without even crossing the Pond. Feast your eyes on San Juan’s high alpine basins and enticing descents while enjoying a warm drink from the comfort of your cozy backcountry lodge. Then head out into the glorious backcountry and explore the secret stashes and hidden runs of the beautiful ski zones of the San Juan Mountain Range.

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.

Ski Hut Trip in the San Juan Mountains

Adventure Brochure

Brochure sent, check your inbox

If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

5.00

Bill Allen

An Oregon native, Bill grew up playing in the Cascade Mountains, where he fell in love with the outdoors. His guiding career started over 20 years ago in Alaska and has taken him to all of the Seven Summits (thrice to the top of Mount Everest). Although he spends most of his time in the San Juan Mountains, he retains his love for Alaska, where he has guided around 30 expeditions on Denali.

5.00

Mountain Trip

Mountain Trip has a lot of experience leading teams of climbers on the Seven Summits. Their professional certified guides are thoroughly familiar with each destination. They’ve been guiding climbers in Denali and the Alaska Range since 1973 and were one of the original permitted concessionaires for leading guided expeditions in the Park, and they’ve grown to help more climbers ascend Denali than any other guide service!

5.00 (2 reviews)

Elijah S. (source: Tripadvisor)

I had an amazing backcountry skiing trip with my guide Fischer. He was super nice and taught me a lot about avalanche safety, using skins, and living in telluride. He and everyone at Mountain Trip communicated with me a lot and helped me to prepare for our trip. Renting gear was no problem and they even lent me extra stuff that wasn’t up for rent. Overall super friendly and super helpful. The trip was amazing and I recommend it to anyone that loves skiing and wants to learn about and experience the backcountry!

Backcountry Skiing

Luke K. (source: Tripadvisor)

I had an absolute blast on my two day backcountry skiing trip. Kaylee and the team were extremely helpful prior to my arrival. They helped guide me through some product selections and listened to what I wanted out of the trip. They set me up with Mason as a guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and set me up one some epic lines.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, AMGA-certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 1-5 days private skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains
  - All necessary protective equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe) where it is required
  - Assistance in arranging post-trip activities in the area
Add-ons
- - Ski touring equipment
  - Airbag
Not included:
- - Travel to and from southwest Colorado
  - Ski hut reservations
  - Accommodation in a ski hut
  - Accommodation in Telluride
  - Food, snacks and beverages
  - Accommodation and meals for your guide
  - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  - Personal clothing and equipment
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — mandatory
Note: The 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.
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 fireplace, ready to welcome. All stays include meals for the party, including breakfast, an afternoon soup and dinner. For availability, see the calendar on the site.

Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass (formerly Thelma Hut)
With easy access from the 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.

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!

Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge
Tucked away in Richmond Basin above Ouray, this eco-lodge accommodates up to 16 guests in rustic comfort. Though wonderfully remote, the lodge offers unexpected comforts: cedar wood-fired hot tub, Starlink internet, and pristine spring water on tap. Your stay includes hearty chef-prepared breakfasts and locally-sourced dinners, with dietary restrictions accommodated when requested at booking.

Please keep in mind that you should reserve the lodging and meals for your guide as well.
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.
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.
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)
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 (but recommended)
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 pricing
- - This skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains is a private adventure.
  - It takes a minimum of 1 person for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 5 participants.
  - The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to ski with friends and family!
A skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains can be arranged for groups larger than 5 people. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the skiing tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your skiing tour in the San Juan Mountains is Telluride. To get there, most people fly into Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ) or Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), both a 1.5-hour ride from Telluride. A few airlines also fly directly into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), a 10-minute ride from Telluride. From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Telluride.

Once you’re there, you will meet your guide in their office at a predetermined time.
Medical and travel protection is mandatory for this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
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.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.