The San Juan Hut System ski route consists of five backcountry ski huts connecting Telluride, Ridgway, and Ouray. The route follows the Dallas and Alder Creek Trails in the Mount Sneffels Range of the San Juan Mountains. Each hut can be individually accessed or advanced skiers can travel hut to hut in the European tradition. Above each hut there is more terrain for the more adventurous intermediate, advanced, and extreme (powder hound) skiers.

Ski Route

Hut-to-hut backcountry skiing links Telluride to Ouray following the Sneffels Range below 14,000 foot alpine peaks. Huts may also be accessed individually. Backcountry ski trails follow scenic United States Forest Service roads and hiking trails surrounding the Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area. The route is designed for intermediate skier ability, while above each hut there is terrain for advanced/intermediate, expert and extreme powder skiing.

Route	Miles	Ascent	Descent
Last Dollar	3.0	2,020’	160’
North Pole	8.0-9.0	2,520’-1,880	500’
Blue Lakes	5.2	1,180’	0’
Ridgway	6.5	1,980’	450’
Burn	5.0	1,160’	900’
LD to NP	9.5	500’	1,520
NP to BL	7.2	1,500’	1,020’
BL to RW	5.0	2,040’	1,200’
RW to BN	5.0	900’	1,160’
BN to Ouray	5.0	200’	2,540

San Juan Hut Systems operates within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison, and Manti-La Sal National Forests under special use permit from the Forest Service USDA.

Skier Ability and Backcountry Awareness

The hut system is designed to accommodate all levels of skiing ability. All skiers should be familiar with changing mountain weather conditions and must be adequately prepared. Skiers should possess knowledge of snow and avalanche conditions while in the backcountry.

Hut Facilities

We have five wooden huts, each with a capacity of eight skiers. Each is provided with eight padded bunks, propane cook stove, propane lamp, wood stove, firewood and all necessary kitchen facilities. Water is obtained by melting snow.

Winter Hut Fees (December 1 to April 15):

$28 per night, per person (Maximum 8 people per night)

Rental Ski Equipment

Ridgway Outdoor Experience
970.626.3608
(Skis, boots, poles, climbing skins, shovels)

Before or after your ski trip stay at Chipeta Sun Lodge in beautiful Ridgway!