As we gear up for winter, we are excited to share this introduction to Colorado’s mountain huts and the adventures that are possible from these awesome spots!

As the seasons change from summer to fall, with winter around the corner, we’re all shifting gears. Camping, hiking, and biking are about to be put on hold as cold weather settles in, especially here in Set Forth’s home in Colorado.

However, the coming of winter does not mean the end of adventures, or even the end of adventures in the mountains. It just means adventures require a bit more creativity, and a bit more panning! This year, we’re particularly excited to invest in planning and supporting winter hut-to-hut trips.

Whether you’re skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking, a winter hut trip, planned and executed properly, can be a magical, rewarding outdoor adventure: dramatic mountain vistas, stunning solitude, and cozy accommodations await. Read on to learn more about the main varieties of winter huts in Colorado. Once you feel inspired to plan a winter adventure of your own (whether its in Colorado or somewhere else!), reach out to Set Forth Adventures to start the planning process!

The 10th Mountain Division Huts

The 10th Mountain Division hut system is Colorado’s oldest and largest system of huts — all together, the organization manages 38 huts scattered across the state. The huts are open all summer (perfect for an overnight hiking or biking trip), but winter is when the 10th Mountain Division Huts set themselves apart. The chance to experience winter solitude in these iconic, remote accommodations is truly a unique experience in the world of outdoor recreation.

The 10th Mountain Division Huts range broadly in terms of size, age, and the amenities they offer. Some, like “Margy’s Hut”, are relatively simple cabins, while others, like the “Fowler-Hilliard Hut”, are marked by new construction and modern amenities.

The toughest part of planning a once-in-a-lifetime winter trip to a 10th Mountain Division hut is booking the hut itself! Competition for reservations is fierce and it can be challenging to parse through the available huts and understand which is best-suited to you and your adventure. Luckily, Set Forth Adventures can help — we would love to collaborate on your 10th Mountain Division Hut trip!

“Full-Service” Backcountry Huts and Lodges

For a more comfort-oriented alternative to the 10th Mountain Division Huts, prospective adventures can turn to a number of independent backcountry lodges across Colorado. To call these lodges “huts” would be a stretch; they feature countless amenities, incredibly comfortably interiors, and (in many cases) on-site staff to look after guests (and cook delicious food!).

Most lodges of this kind are operated as independent small businesses, so discovering the perfect spot for your next adventure requires some serious research. However, the reward for that research is nearly guaranteed to be spectacular, like a night high in the San Juan mountains at the Opus Hut or a bucket-list ski trip to the Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge. Feeling inspired and ready to start planning? Set Forth Adventures is ready to help!

Simple, Rustic Huts — Adventure Ahead!

For individuals and groups looking for a winter trip that ventures far from the beaten path, and that offers true solitude and simplicity, a more simple, remote hut can be the perfect solution. In Colorado, a host of businesses, nonprofits, and land management organizations manage basic huts (huts with no running water, relatively minimal cooking amenities, and often without electricity).

The San Juan Huts in southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains are a prime example of this type of hut. The San Juan Huts offer adventurers everything needed for a comfortable night in the wilderness: powerful wood stoves with ample firewood, propane cook stoves, and serviceable mattresses (good enough for a long sleep after a tiring day!). What these huts lack in amenities they more than make up for in mountain views and quiet winter solitude. Talk about a perfect winter adventure!