5 Backcountry Huts for Winter Adventures in Colorado

Colorado is home to a pretty spectacular variety of backcountry huts, stunning mountain ski cabins, and other public and private winter getaways in the high country. The huts offer shelter from the biting winter cold as well as a base for winter adventures like backcountry skiing. Here are a few epic spots!

The Thelma Hut

The Thelma Hut on Red Mountain Pass is the definition of backcountry luxury. Perhaps "hut" isn't the right word here. The accommodations are plush, the approach is short (only half a mile, and the ski access is 🙌. For an additional fee you can even get meals included. Sleeping spaces include a king bedroom, queen sleeping loft and four single bunk beds.

Uncle Bud's Hut

Part of the 10th Mountain Division hut system, Uncle Bud's comes stocked with padded mattresses, wood stoves & fuel, propane burners, all cookware and utensils, some games/puzzles/books, large sitting and eating areas, and incredible views. The skiing is pretty good as well!

Emma and Marceline Yurts

This unique lodging experience near 12,000ft is something special, but the trek to the yurts is definitely for the more experienced and fit that possess above backcountry ski skills and knowledge. Those who put in the work are rewarded with great skiing opportunities and magnificent views.

Weston Pass Hut

Located near Leadville, the Weston Pass hut is a hidden gem of the huts in Colorado. This large hut is built near the top of Weston Pass and has great views of the valley below. It's not a short approach -- to reach the hut in the winter is a 6.7 mile snowshoe or ski, with an altitude gain of 2,252 feet. In the summer, a good 4x4 car can drive all the way to the hut. The entire hut can be rented for $315 and it can host up to 10 people.

Opa's Taylor Hut

This hut outside of Aspen is part of the Braun Hut system, and is one of the newer huts in Colorado (completed in 2012). Located just south of Taylor Pass at 11,850ft, there is fantastic skiing access (particularly in the spring), and you'll enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets here.  It can be tricky to find your way to the hut, this is true backcountry travel and you must be prepared. The trek presents serious route finding and terrain challenges and should only be attempted by experienced backcountry travelers.