The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, is calling for snow for the San Juans beginning this afternoon and continuing through Wednesday afternoon. This Pacific storm could bring snowfall accumulations ranging from six to 12 inches in the high country … where the huts are located! Cross your fingers and think snow!
Wondering what the snow conditions are like up high in the Sneffels Range? The double track road approaches to the huts are snow packed and fast, making simply the journey to the huts an athletic and visual experience—taking in the Mount Sneffels Range views from these approaches are unbeatable. A true San Juan Mountains experience. Once you’ve reached the hut, explore the terrain surrounding. We have route descriptions and GPS coordinates for surrounding tours.
Mount Sneffels seen from the road into the Blue Lakes Hut
But, as always, be prepared for early season dangers like hidden obstacles and unstable snowpack. And, as always, be backcountry aware and prepared for winter travel.
Willow Swamp & Mount Sneffels Range on Route to Blue Lakes Hut
Regional avy courses are filling fast—is yours booked? Check out Silverton Avalanche School, Southwest Adventure Guides and Peak Mountain Guides for Level I and II courses. Classes begin mid-December and run through the winter. Best to take a Level I or II, a backcountry ski or rescue course early in the season so you can put your knowledge to the test. After avy school graduation, come stay with us for half price at one of our five Sneffels Range backcountry ski huts. A perfect classroom for avy observation, digging pits, studying snow crystals, and practicing safe ski touring protocol.
The San Juan Mountains welcomed another series of winter storm pulses since Saturday, and the end result? An average of about a foot of snow blanketing the region. As the skies cleared last night, the temps dropped and we saw our first cold snap of the season. Temperatures in Ridgway plummeted as low as -10. Telluride and Silverton saw similar below zero temps. Burr…
Telluride’s Bear Creek
What’s been left in the wake of the storm is inspiration to get into the winter backcountry. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported the Red Mountain area received about 8-10 inches, Telluride about 16 inches and Silverton, as is the norm, gladly received the most snow accumulation, about 16-20 inches.
Don’t forget to check in with CAIC forecasts and travel safely in the backcountry.
Regional ski resorts got the bullwheels rolling last week and got skiers and riders lapping up groomers.This weekend take a break from the groomed and try advanced, ungroomed terrain at our neighboring Silverton Mountain ski area. Opening day is Saturday and is followed by Silverton Mountain and Venture Snowboard‘s famous kickoff party at the Grand Imperial in Silverton. They’re hosting live music, door prizes and a raffle for Venture’s limited edition Ska Brewing Euphoria board.
Silverton Mountain plans to open 30 of its advanced runs with a 30-40 inch base already in place. Word is the north shots are skiing really well.
It’s time to get those legs in shape for winter, and plan your San Juan Mountains ski destinations for the winter. Want to make some free turns at Silverton Mountain this year? Well, you’re going to have to stomp for it. Silverton Mountain’s annual bootpacking kickoff begins this weekend and is offered the weekend of Dec. 10 and 11. Duct tape your pants to your boots (keeps the snow out) and join Silverton’s ski patrol on the ski area to pack out the snow. Each day you work, you’ll receive a ticket for one day of unguided skiing.
With your body getting into ski mode, come trek up to our huts and make some turns on this side of the hill.
While we wait for a snow scene like this one, spend some time mapping out your excursion. We now have Google Earth imaging that brings you up close and personal with our winter huts. 3-D images zoom you into our five destination hut and from there you can check out the ski terrain surrounding. Whether your hut stay will include couloir skiing, summit seeking or simply long, easy traverses, our Google Earth images can help you plan your routes. Use in conjunction with our topo, satellite and terrain maps to map out your trip.
This holiday week, many Colorado ski resorts get the bullwheels rolling for another winter season. Get your winter legs on because it’s time. We are also welcoming winter and opening the huts this weekend. Have you booked your ski hut trip? Stay at our destination ski huts this winter, we’ve got a slew of discounts to make your trip affordable and as always, enjoyable.
A recent storm left this bike undecided. Is the riding season really over? Some diehards refuse making weekend pilgrimages to the desert or the Colorado landscapes that still hold a resemblance to late fall like Fruita and Cortez. Others, like us here at San Juan Huts, are waiting for the snow.
Our last big storm was predicted to be a small storm. One inch or so was thought to dust the area. But much to our surprise, we woke up to over a foot blanketing even the banana belt town of Ridgway. And blanketing the bike. Our last small storm was forecast to be a big storm, and so what was expected to be another foot gracing our town turned out to be rain forming puddles. Mountain weather never ceases to surprise, and as they say, “only fools and newcomers predict the weather.” So apropos.
Whether winter hits us this weekend again with a forecasted Pacific storm for the San Juans, or our Indian Fall persists through the holiday week, there is still nothing like living in the San Juan Mountains. Even if it is in-between-seasons season.
Winter is here and it’s time to polish up your avalanche awareness. Whether you’ve taken your avy Level I or II, or are a new student to avalanche awareness, there are a slew of avy course offered this winter by regional guide outfitters and outdoor education schools. Some courses are offered as early as the first week of December, and many through the months of December and January, so it’s time to get registered early.
San Juan Hut Systems is linking up with Peak Mountain Guides this winter to offer overnight, hut-based avy education training in the perfect winter classroom of the Mount Sneffels Range. Check out Peak Mountain Guides‘ courses as well as its hut-based ski tour trips.
Peak Mountain Guides, Silverton Avalanche School, Southwest Adventure Guides, and The San Juan Outdoor School will be offering their avy school graduate students coupons for discounted one-night stays at our huts. So get educated and get out into the winter backcountry—safely.
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The San Juan Hut Systems connects you to pristine nordic backcountry skiing, and snowshoeing,
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