Ski Hut Trip in the San Juan Mountains

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!