Intro to Backcountry Course: Hut Trip

3-Day Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Course - Colorado Hut Trip

Take your backcountry education a step further with a two-night, three-day adventure to one of Colorado’s remote winter huts. This hut-based course blends practical backcountry travel instruction with the experience of living comfortably in the winter backcountry. You’ll learn how to travel on skis or splitboard, plan routes, manage hazards, and work as a team to handle the daily logistics of hut life—like melting snow for water, maintaining the fire, and preparing shared meals.

Our hut-based intro to backcountry is taught entirely in a hut setting, offering both hands-on field experience and the chance to learn in a relaxed, communal environment. Evenings are spent around the fire discussing trip planning, snow safety, and mountain decision-making with your guides. We partner with the Summit Huts Association, Grand Huts Association, and select private properties to access a variety of huts and lodges across Summit, Grand, Lake, and Park Counties, including NoLo Office Cabin, High Lonesome Hut, Carner’s Cabin, Francie’s Cabin, and Timberline Lodge at Duck Lake.

Each of our partner huts is off-grid and uniquely styled, from simple and rustic to more modern accommodations, all surrounded by expansive National Forest. While these huts offer a sense of seclusion, they remain conveniently accessible from nearby trailheads. Most have solar power, wood stoves, and fully equipped kitchens with propane cooktops, dishes, and cookware. Snowmelt serves as the primary water source, and all necessary cleaning supplies are provided.

Hut-Based Intro to Backcountry Learning Objectives

1. Intro and overview of touring gear
   
2. Proper and efficient transitions
   
3. Intro to avalanche safety gear
   

1. Intro to trip planning and backcountry navigation
   
2. Intro to hazard management
   
3. Introduction to avalanche awareness
   

1. Use of uphill climbing skins
   
2. Intro to track setting
   
3. Intro to using kick turns
   

Duration

Day One: We will spend the morning gathering our gear before transitioning to the field where we will then travel to the cabin. The afternoon will be spent utilizing field and hut instruction.

Day 2 & 3: Two full days of classroom and field instruction where you will practice to better hone your winter backcountry skills. We turn the hut into a classroom and cover trip planning, decision making, route-finding techniques, and more. Field instruction takes place right out the door of the hut!

Location / Where to Meet

Ages & Requirements

1. Minimum Age: 18 years old
   
2. Ability Level: Participants must be comfortable skiing or snowboarding advanced blue to black terrain at a ski resort. Experience in variable or ungroomed snow conditions is recommended.
   
3. Fitness Level: A high level of fitness and stamina is required. The course involves traveling to and from a hut with a pack (45L+), uphill touring, and extended days in winter conditions.
   
4. Equipment: Alpine touring skis or splitboard setup with climbing skins, avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe are required. Rentals are available at our Silverthorne basecamp.
   

What's Included

• Local experienced and professional Instructors/Guides
  
•  6:1 maximum instructor-to-student ratio
  
• Discounted demo gear if needed – 20% off
  
• Transportation from designated meeting place to the trailhead
  
• Lodging
  
• Food
  

Not Included

• Avalanche Safety Gear - beacon, shovel, probe, pack. (Rentals available.)
  
• Clothing and gear (See FAQs)
  
• Backcountry skis, splitboards, or snowshoes (Rentals available)
  
• Transportation to designated meeting place
  
• Insurance (Trip or Rescue)
  
• Gratuity
  

Required Equipment

• Avalanche Beacon 
  
• Avalanche Probe 
  
• Avalanche Shovel 
  
• Medium (40L) sized backpack 
  
• Alpine Touring Skis, Telemark Skis, or Splitboard 
  
• Climbing Skins 
  
• Goggles
  
• Helmet 
  

What to Bring / Wear

• Hard or softshell pants
  
• Synthetic or merino wool base layer
  
• Softshell jacket (optional)
  
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
  
• Hardshell or water/wind resistant jacket
  
• Light gloves for uphill travel
  
• Warm gloves
  
• Brimmed hat or visor
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Neck gaiter or buff