Each year, our Club offers back-country ski tours to huts in Colorado, mostly those in the 10th Mountain Division hut system. These “huts” are actually well-built, cozy, fully stocked back-country cabins. Skiers need only bring a sleeping bag, clothing, and food. We generally do 3-night trips into a single hut, although on occasion we do longer hut-to-hut adventures.
Sign Up
Unless indicated otherwise, we reserve the entire hut for our group. This is done up to a year in advance, and sign-up commences immediately upon confirmation of the reservation. Therefore, trips are often already full at the beginning of the new ski season. However, cancellations often occur so vacancies may be available at any time.
Lodging
Lodging is in the hut, but the trip often requires staying in a nearby motel the evening before and after the time in the hut due to the travel time required to get to the hut.
Cost
The total cost of the trip includes the hut rental cost (indicated on the trip description) as well as a number of other costs, depending on the specific hut location. Other costs include community meals, usually just dinner; your own breakfasts and lunches; motels the evenings before and after the time in the hut; meals during travel to the hut and return; and travel costs at a rate per mile established by the club Executive Board.
Requirements
The hut trips are open to Club members only. In addition, hut trips require at least an intermediate level of skiing ability and fitness to gain access to the hut, but highly technical skiing is not usually a requirement for hut access. Moderate day tours and, for those who are interested, more advanced skiing opportunities are often an option near most huts. Appropriate back-country ski equipment and skins are necessary for most hut trips. Each participant must be known to the trip leader and have individual approval for the trip for the safety of all participants. Participants should familiarize themselves with the Hut Trip Policy document below.
We continue to seek new skiers interested in hut trips. Interested Club members are invited to contact the hut trip leader at huttrips@nmccskiclub.org to find out more about our hut trip program. The club has added AT (alpine touring) trips to the calendar in recent winters. For those interested in AT back-country hut skiing or telemark skiing, options are available on some hut trips. Check the Car AT Trips page.