We have devoted over thirty years to creating and defining destination hut to hut skiing and mountain bike travel. In 1983, while on a climbing/skiing trip in Canada, Joe Ryan and his buddy were inspired to develop their own hut system. Joe had used the Canadian ski huts for more than a decade.
A comprehensive year-round hut system was needed in the US. That same year, Joe’s buddy was killed in an avalanche and their idea was put on hold.
A few years later, the idea was revived and put in motion. In 1987, San Juan Hut Systems was created on the north slope of the Sneffels Range in the Uncompahgre National Forest giving access to the remote Sneffels Wilderness and some of the best north aspect skiing in Colorado. Five huts were built connecting Telluride, Ridgway, and Ouray along the historic Dallas Trail system that traverses the range.
Additionally, all the huts have their own trailhead access. With these trails, you can ski hut-to-hut, or just reserve one hut to base from over several days as in the European and Canadian tradition.
Permit requirements at that time mandated that the huts be removed at the end of each ski season. No place to store the huts in the summer, and no source for income in the summer months kindled the birth of the first hut–to-hut mountain bike system. The first route, starting in Telluride, transitions through multiple climatic and geographic zones finishing in Moab, Utah. Fifteen years later saw the development of a second route traversing from Durango, Colorado to Moab, Utah.
Our winter hut system offers over 60 miles of cross country trails and access to phenomenal remote backcountry skiing. You are unlikely to cross another’s tracks. The San Juan Mountains present tremendous snow quality and first descent possibilities.
Our two 215 mile mountain bike routes provide a premium minimalist experience for the do it yourself adventurer. With the only destination hut-to-hut based system in the US, we take the weight out of bike touring by offering fully stocked huts and minimal route finding challenges.
Our most recent development is a system of hiking huts which provide hikers, hunters, and runners incredible access to remote terrain with light loads.
Click on one of the links above to begin learning more about your winter ski or summer bike adventure, and to the reservation/calendar page to begin booking the trip of your lifetime.
Joe Ryan
The San Juan Huts are a manifestation of Joe’s remarkable vision to connect mountain lovers to the beauty of Southwest Colorado and Utah. Joe’s dream, fortified by over three decades of determination and physical toil—countless days humping loads, lumber, and propane into the mountains—has created an unmatched system of mountain huts. Joe is a wealth of knowledge, a legend in the San Juans, and the best storyteller we know!
Kelly Ryan
Joe’s daughter, Kelly, grew up in the shadow of the Sneffels Range, living in and around the San Juan Huts. After college, Kelly followed in her father’s footsteps and spent years guiding and ski patrolling in Washington, Alaska, California, Colorado and abroad. In 2012, after roaming the best spots on the globe for outdoor recreation, Kelly realized she couldn’t beat the San Juans and came home to help Joe run the family business.
John
John grew up in Southwest CO loving anything outdoors. After a 10 year hiatus out of state exploring the country, he found that everything he wanted was located in the place he grew up. “This area is just incredible!”
Calvin
Born under mysterious circumstances somewhere in Antarctica, Calvin was raised by a group of Mormon Penguins. At the age of five he was exiled after accusations of shady business dealings, so he sailed to America and assumed a new identity. These days Calvin spends his free time spreading misinformation on the Internet and campaigning for Ohio to lose its statehood. We are not certain if Calvin was ever actually hired at San Juan Huts or if he just started showing up and no one asked him to leave.
Brandie
After living all over Colorado and traveling the world playing underwater hockey, I’m honored to call the Ridgway area home. When I’m not answering your calls and emails I’m spending as much time in the San Juans hiking with my pup, biking, snowboarding, camping & backpacking. Any reason to get outside is reason enough for me!
Jordan
Rich
Rich discovered the San Juans after spending years exploring outdoor adventures in the Northeast. Originally from Louisiana, Rich’s outdoor passions in Colorado straddle both work and play. Rich works primarily in the field and his off time is spent chasing high summits, riding singletracks, and exploring river canyons.