What equipment will I need?
You will need a mountain bike in good working order, a small backpack or bike bag, and personal clothing. Please refer to The Bikers Bible for a detailed clothing, bike repair & equipment, and tool/gear lists.
Do I bring my bike or rent one?
We recommend that you bring your own bike. You know your bike better than anybody and chances are you will be fixing something on it, somewhere on trail. If you choose to rent a bike, we list some bike rental shops on our Travel Resources page that are familiar with The Routes and the conditions you…
How do I get to my hotel or the trailhead and how to I return from Moab?
Individual situations require different approaches for individual/group transportation needs. There are shuttle services listed in our Travel Resources that can get you from Montrose or Durango Airports to the trailhead and bring you back to the airports. Those shuttle services located in Moab can also shuttle your car from the trailhead back to Moab so that…
Are Support Vehicles available?
No vehicular assistance is provided or allowed on either of The Routes due to the nature of our USFS/BLM/Private Ranch Special Use Permits. San Juan Hut Systems is not responsible for difficulties due to weather or natural conditions, equipment failures or medical emergencies and any associated rescues. This being said, San Juan Hut Systems will…
Will my cell phone work at the huts or along The Route?
There is no guaranteed cellular service along the routes. Gateway Hut on the Telluride to Moab Route is located near the Gateway Canyon Resort, newly built, and telephone service is available there. On the Durango to Moab Route at the Paradox Hut, located near the Paradox Bed & Breakfast, you may find telephone service at…
What are the huts like and what about food and water?
Our one room wooden huts are equipped with bunk beds and pads, sleeping bags, propane powered lights and cook stoves, cookware, food and water. There is no plumbing or bathing facilities, though streams and ponds are found along The Route for washing up. Composting toilets are located at each hut. The food supply is replenished…
Backcountry Ski Huts
San Juan Hut Systems’ mission is to provide low impact, human powered, lightweight backcountry travel opportunities for the independent health conscious adventurer at a practical price. We have devoted over twenty-five years to creating and defining destination hut-to-hut skiing and mountain bike travel.
The San Juan Hut System Hut-to-Hut backcountry Ski Route 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.
Ski Hut Facilities
Huts hold eight people per night. The wooden huts are equipped with padded bunks, a propane cook stove, propane light, wood stove, firewood, and necessary utensils and cookware. Each hut is equipped with a composting toilet facility.
Additional supplies stocked at each hut:
Paper towels, paper plates, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, bleach, dish soap, dish towels, hand sanitizer, lighters, olive oil, hot sauces, salt and pepper, coffee filters, percolators, pour-overs, and fire extinguishers.
Skier Ability & 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.
| Route | Miles | Ascent | Descent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Dollar | 2.7 | 1,290′ | 60′ |
| North Pole | 10 | 2,700′ | 380′ |
| Blue Lakes | 5.1 | 1,260′ | 60′ |
| Ridgway | 6.7 | 1,930′ | 430′ |
| Burn | 5.4 | 1,360′ | 190′ |
| Spring Creek | 1.2 | 138′ | 55′ |
| Last Dollar to North Pole | 8.6 | 2,550′ | 1,550′ |
| North Pole to Blue Lakes | 7.3 | 1,170′ | 1,700′ |
| Blue Lakes to Ridgway | 5.0 | 1,640′ | 1,090′ |
| Ridgway to Burn | 4.2 | 730′ | 1,074′ |
| Burn to Ouray | 4.6 | 2,660′ | 340′ |
What People Are Saying
Winter Ski Hut Info
Winter Hut Fees (December 1 to April 15): $30 per night, per person (Maximum 8 people per night)
Guide Services
Rental Services
Ridgway Adventure Sports
109 N Lena St
Ridgway, Co 81432
(970) 626-8500
109 N Lena St
Ridgway, Co 81432
(970) 626-8500
Contact Us
Contact Us
Get in touch with San Juan Huts
The San Juan Hut Systems extends from the high mountains around Ouray, Telluride & Durango, descending hundreds of miles toward Moab, Utah.
San Juan Huts is based in Ridgway, Colorado. Contact us for planning your next mountain bike trip, ski tour or hiking adventure. Let’s talk maps, trails, food, terrain and huts. We are passionate about supporting you in all Rocky Mountain outdoor sports & adventures.
Want to join the San Juan Huts team?
Interested in working with the San Juan Hut Systems? We’re always looking for hardworking, committed individuals that love adventure and the great outdoors. To apply, please send your resume to [email protected].
Why Choose San Juan Huts?
This ain’t San Juan Hut System’s first rodeo Congratulations, you have found the original! San Juan Hut Systems ‘invented’ hut-to-hut mountain biking back in 1988. They have perfected their biking, skiing, and hiking hut trips and you can be assured you won’t waste your valuable vacation time. Real shelter you can all hang out in…
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