THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
The Colorado Rockies are composed of six major mountain ranges. The San Juan Mountain Range is the largest, steepest, and snowiest range of all of them – as large as the country of Switzerland! The San Juans are home to fourteen peaks above 14,000ft, Colorado’s largest wilderness, Red Mountain Pass, and Colorado’s steepest ski area, Silverton Mountain. The region is sparsely populated and often receives 500 inches of annual snowfall, with skiing possible from October into July. Come in deepest winter (December through March) for puffy jackets and powder skiing, or springtime (April through June) for corn and sun. Perhaps the biggest draw is the San Juans’ 300 days of sunshine – nowhere else has this many “bluebird” powder days!
WHY STAY IN A MOUNTAIN HUT?
Have you ever dreamed of putting your ski boots on in your living room, opening your door, and skiing away? The San Juan Mountains host some of the most iconic and accessible mountain huts in Colorado. No need to drive to the mountain, check a snow report, or compete for untouched snow – it’s all out your front door! For those who crave adventure and solitude, staying at a ski hut offers a gateway to going deeper into the backcountry. Put your skins on at the parking lot and climb into the wilderness to discover hidden cabins – some adventurous and others luxurious – to make your adventure basecamp.
ALADDIN’S LAMP HUT
The Aladdin’s Lamp Hut is located at 10,500ft on Molas Pass, just 15 minutes from the town of Silverton. The hut sits in a forest clearing and a small climb reveals some of the best views in Colorado: the largest untouched wilderness in the state (the Weminuche Wilderness), the fierce Grenadier and Needle Mountains, and several of the San Juans’ “14ers”
Elevation: 10,525 ft
Capacity: 12 guests
Kitchen: Full-size propane kitchen with prep area
Approach: 20-minute skin or snowshoe from Molas Pass
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: A short ski tour from the front door and you’re on rolling powder skiing terrain for all abilities that overlooks the wilderness area and Molas Pass. In the summer the Colorado Trail passes through this area. Ski as many laps as you like, you end up right back at the hut!
Day 2: Skinning from your porch to the west will lead you to endless options for stepping out above the treeline. Skin up the south side of the 13,000ft Grand Turk Mountain and ski the gulleys back to the valley, or climb the other side to ski wide opens ramps of powder far above the trees below
Day 3: If skiing powder from the summits of 13,000ft peaks was not enough, continue to the next valley to test your skills in Couloir Town. Eighteen different corridors of snow cut into the rocks, ranging from mellow ramps to extreme descents only for the most capable skiers and riders
ADDIE S CABIN
The Addie S Ski Hut is found at 11,000ft on the top of Red Mountain Pass. The most accessible and friendly backcountry skiing in the San Juans is right out your front door. Through the large windows are epic views of the 13,000ft peaks above the town of Silverton, thousands of feet below you. You don’t have to ski tour to this hut – it’s just a short walk on a path from your car!
Elevation: 11,000 ft
Capacity: 8 guests; 5 bedrooms (3 queen, 2 twin)
Kitchen: Fully equipped propane kitchen; refrigerator, dining table
Approach: 2-minute walk from parking on Red Mountain Pass
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: If skiing endless, open fields of mellow powder is your idea of a ski trip, then this is the zone for you. Ski tour directly from the hut to the summit of McMillan peak (12,800ft) and lap endless untouched miles of powder above the trees. You’ll be able to see all of the mountains of Red Mountain Pass, and the deep valleys below with the towns of Silverton and Ouray.
Day 2: Ten steps takes you across the highway to an entirely different zone, with a lifetime of options. Skin up the ridgetop and ski powder in the trees back to the highway, or cruise around Mineral Creek for rolling and varied bumps and gulleys.
Day 3: Your lungs are ready! From the hut skin up the snow covered Black Bear Pass Road toward Trico Peak (13,300ft) and ski from the pointy summit where three Colorado mountain counties meet (San Juan, San Miguel, and Ouray), with views into the Telluride valley and the 14ers to the west.
OPUS HUT
A several hour ski tour up the snow covered Ophir Pass road will take you to the Opus Hut, in the very highest stand of trees atop the epic Ophir Pass. This is quintessential Colorado, with spiky peaks, deep river valleys, and large and intimidating terrain all around. This is the highest hut in the San Juans!
Elevation: 11,800 ft
Chef Services: On site cooked breakfast, apres soup, dinner and dessert
Capacity: 20 guests
Approach: 3-5 hours
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: The skiing is right out your door. A 2,000ft run into the valley awaits you as you put on your skis right after eating breakfast. No climbing, no tracks, no crowds. The only catch: you have to climb back to the hut afterwards!
Day 2: There’s a reason the steep north facing paths through the trees are called Paradise Trees. Known for face shots even when it hasn’t snowed in days (a long time for the San Juans), just getting to the Paradise trees involves more than 1000ft of powder skiing! They’re so good that some groups spend their entire time here.
Day 3: It’s time for the big one: From the hut, climb above 13,000ft to one of the longest, largest runs in the San Juans. You’ve seen this kind of skiing in movies; you look like an ant as you arc turns endlessly into the horizon. You look around and there is still so much more to do! Many guests come back to the Opus hut every year for its endless amount of terrain.
THELMA HUT AT CAMPFIRE RANCH
Atop Red Mountain Pass, a moderate ski tour will take you to this luxury lodge hidden in a stand of pines at 11,000ft. This hut accommodates 8 people and includes a private chef. With floor to ceiling windows on three sides, some choose not to ski at all and just enjoy the unmatched atmosphere.
Elevation: 11,200 ft
Capacity: 8 guests (king suite, 4 twin bunk room, queen loft)
Chef Services: On-site cooked breakfast and dinner, sauna, radiant-heat floors
Approach: 30–40-minute skin from parking lot
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Directly from the hut head out to the mellow fields of the Front Yard to lap powder above Red Mountain Pass in moderate open fields. The hut is situated right at the top of this run, so stop in for snacks and head back out for more when your legs tell you to!
Day 2: Put your skins on at the front door and skin directly above the hut up the ridgetop, for longer sustained powder descents with views of the steep chutes above Chattanooga ghost town. End your ski day with one last powder turn right in the back yard of the Thelma Hut.
Day 3: Push out to the true summit and ski the valley to the hut from the top of a 13er, passing 120 year old mining ruins, frozen waterfalls, and constantly changing terrain as you drop from the high alpine back to the below-treeline zone, and ultimately all the way back to the road at Red Mountain Pass
AERIE AT SILVERTON
Coming soon! This luxury lodge has 7 guest suites, on-site dining, drinks and apres, a 3 story great room, jacuzzi, sauna, elevator.. and more! Located only 10 minutes from downtown Silverton, this lodge has easy access to Silverton Mountain ski area and endless backcountry adventures out the front (and back) door. “Aerie” is the nest of an eagle, and you’ll experience being in one as the third floor of the lodge sits perfectly at the tops of the pine trees overlooking the Cement Creek Canyon.
Elevation: ~10,500–11,000 ft
Capacity: 14 guests across 7 private suites
Amenities: Dining, bar, lounge, jacuzzi, sauna, elevator
Access: 10-minute snowcat ride
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Roast your legs at Silverton Mountain, the most extreme ski area in North America, with included ski area guides, helicopter drops, and guaranteed freshies
Day 2: Put your skins on out the back door and enjoy 3,000ft long untouched powder descents from the summit of Storm Peak down into the forest, ending at the Aerie. Enjoy a professionally cooked meal and warm up in the sauna.
Day 3: Ski from the hut across the snow covered road and you’ve entered tree skiing heaven. In the glades across the street you can ski 2,000ft runs of soft snow in the forest, or bump out into the open gulleys to make turns all the way back to Aerie’s snowcat. Relax in the hot tub, you earned it!
Give us a call or shoot us an email to learn more about going on a hut trip with San Juan Expeditions in the San Juan Mountains!
