SAN JUAN BACKCOUNTRY SKI HUT TRIP

Want to ski in solitude? Spend three days ripping some epic lines on a backcountry ski hut trip. We’ll hunt down hidden pow stashes and face shots in one of our favorite zones (and if the snow isn’t good, go on beautiful alpine adventures).

 

Ready for a rustic backcountry ski hut experience? Ski in, ski out of the Last Dollar Hut. This hut is located in stunning terrain on the north side of the Sneffels Range. Ski all day and spend nights nestled by a wood stove with good food and even better company!

 

IRIS Guides will provide the goods. They are not only excellent at their job, they are fun humans to be around. Join us for three days and two nights of shredding and laughs in the San Juan Mountains!

 

Skiers and Snowboarders are welcome. Participants must be solid resort skiers, able to link turns in a variety of snow conditions, and feel comfortable in the trees. Prepare for full days out, and a two hour skin with 40lb packs to approach the hut. Participants should have some familiarity with backcountry ski equipment.

**This itinerary is subject to change.

Day 0:

4:00pm: Zoom or In-Person Gear Check

 

Day 1:

8:00am: Meet @ Last Dollar Trailhead (25 min from Telluride, CO)

8:30am-3:30pm: Skin to Last Dollar Hut/Avy Rescue Practice

4:00pm-Bedtime: Settle In, Enjoy Good Company, Dinner

 

Day 2: 

On Hut Time: Breakfast, Ski Touring Around Last Dollar Hut, Good Company, Dinner

 

Day 3:

On Hut Time: Breakfast, Ski Touring

3:30-4:00pm: Arrive at Last Dollar Trailhead

Included:

3 Days, 2 Nights of Guided Skiing Around Last Dollar Hut

Hut Fees (Lodging and Reservation)

Breakfast and Dinner when at Last Dollar Hut

Beacon, Shovel & Probe (encouraged to have your own)

3:1 Guest to Guide Ratio

minimum of 2; maximum of 6

 

Not Included:

Personal Snacks/Lunch Food

Accommodations Pre/Post Hut Trip

Transportation to/from/while in Ouray Area

Personal Skiing Clothing and Overnight Gear

Personal touring equipment: skis, boots, binding, skins, poles (Available to rent at Ridgway Adventure Sports. They DO NOT rent snowboard boots.)

Guide Gratuity

Travel Insurance (highly recommended!)

Incurred costs by leaving a trip early

Incurred costs as a result force majeure

 

Travel Recommendations:

Closest Airports: Montrose (MTJ) & Grand Junction (GJT)

Most hut trips will depart from Ridgway or Ouray, Colorado. It is a good idea to arrive in the area 24-48 hours before your trip departure in order to adjust to altitude and complete a gear check with your guide(s).

 

Hotel Recommendation: 

Ouray Inn

(970) 325-4445

West, 120 6th Ave. Ouray, CO 81427

IRIS guests receive a 10% discount at the Ouray Inn. After IRIS registration, guests will receive a booking code to utilize on the Ouray Inn website or while booking over the phone. 

**This list is a guideline. You do not need the exact layers but will need something of similar warmth. If you have questions please ask us.**

TOURING CLOTHING

Lightweight Baselayer Top (polyester, wool or silk top)

Mid-Weight Top (lightweight fleece or lightweight puffy jacket)

Lightweight Wind Shirt (or very lightweight soft-shell jacket)

Waterproof Shell Jacket (Gore Tex, Pertex or similar, not insulated)

Big Puffy Coat (down or synthetic jacket to fit on top of all other layers)

Lightweight Base Layer Bottom (polyester, wool or silk long underwear bottom)

Ski Pants (non-insulated hard shell or soft shell pants).

Gloves (at least 2 pairs: a pair of heavy, waterproof, warm gloves and a pair of lighter gloves. If your hands get cold easily, bring extra gloves, mittens and/or handwarmers)

Hats (one sun hat, one warm cap)

Buff or Neck Gaiter

Sunglasses

Socks (wool/synthetic ski socks)

 

TOURING EQUIPMENT

*Touring Skis or Splitboard (make sure it is tuned/freshly waxed)

*Alpine Touring Ski Boots or Snowboard Boots (check that the boot works with your ski binding)

*Ski Poles (adjustable poles with powder baskets)

*Climbing Skins (they must be cut to fit your skis)

Big Day-Tour Backpack or Airbag Pack (at least 45+ liters capacity)

Goggles

Ski Helmet (recommended, optional)

BCA Link Radio (optional)

**Avalanche Transceiver (must be a 3-Antenna Transceiver with fresh batteries)

Your Beacon’s User Manual (hard copy or PDF saved to your phone)

**Avalanche Probe (must be at least 240cm long)

**Avalanche Rescue Shovel (must have a metal blade)

 

Overnight/Personal Needs

Water Bottle(s) (either 1 Nalgene, or 1 Nalgene and 1 small Thermos. No Camelbacks).

Sunscreen and Lip Balm

Headlamp (fresh batteries)

Lunch Food & Snacks (about 1lb/day: sandwich, Twinkies, jerky, cheese, trail mix, candy bars, nuts, salami)

Cotton T-Shirt and Bra (to wear in the hut)

Hut Slippers/Booties (small/lightweight)

30 Degree Sleeping Bag (small/packable-ask about suggestions)

Toiletries (toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, personal medications, comb, glasses/contact kit)

Small Personal First Aid Kit (personal meds/needs: ibuprofen, blister kit, bandaids…etc)

Earplugs

Magazine, Kindle, or Small Paperback (optional)

Personal Alcohol (optional)

 

*Indicates items available to rent through Ridgway Adventure Sports in Ridgway, CO: (970) 626-8500. They do not carry snowboard boots.*

**Beacon/Shovel/Probe rentals are included in course fees.**