Staying at a backcountry hut in Colorado is a unique and exciting experience, regardless of the season your adventure is taking place. In the summer, these huts allow for an escape into the wild with more than a tent over your head and in the winter, a hut stay can be perfect for a backcountry skiing or ski-touring endeavor. That being said, there’s a lot of planning that goes into a trip like this, so it’s important to prepare early.

To start, you’ll need to select a hut. Most Colorado huts can be booked with the 10th Mountain Division. The organization suggests that you read through the information, including the overview map and specifics about each hut, carefully. The organization also recommends studying topographic maps of areas you’re interested in, and even looking through some privately produced guidebooks. Guidebooks will provide route descriptions, estimations of difficulty and time, and itineraries. You can buy maps and guidebooks through the 10th Mountain Division’s online store and many outdoor retailers.

Each group embarking on a hut trip will also need a group organizer. This person will be responsible for making the reservation and for ensuring each person on the trip has all the necessary information.

Once you’re ready, the organizer can book your trip online or call 970-925-5775 to book over the phone.

Once you’ve booked your selected hut, 10th Mountain Division suggests getting appropriate topographic maps for the specific hut, and studying them with your group before the trip. The 10th Mountain also recommends carrying a GPS device during your backcountry hut experience, and knowing how to use it.

Taking a backcountry hut trip in Colorado is no easy adventure, especially during winter. If you don’t have a lot of experience with backcountry touring, avalanche safety training, equipment familiarization, and a few day trips should be on the schedule first. The 10th Mountain Division says “the first day of your hut trip is not the right day to try out new equipment!”

Some other important tips from the 10th Mountain Division include deciding what trailheads and routes you’ll use, planning for what you’ll do if there is an emergency on the trip (at the hut or on the trail), assembling the appropriate gear, planning the menu, and checking weather and avalanche reports.

Check out more information on planning a backcountry hut adventure here.

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