Wells Gray Park B.C. Summer 2021 Rate Changes more info. Hut to hut in the USA: situation and outlook. I do not have sufficient data on the finances of hut systems to generalize about their profitability/sustainability. It appears that there is strong demand for huts where they already exist. It can provide you with the same adventure but with the convenience and comfort of cabin camping. Lets have a national conversation about huts. For a fuller explication (with pictures) of the wildly inclusive term “hut” see What is a hut? Last March, 80 of our … [Read More...], © 2021 Backcountry Magazine Five systems (33%) support one form only: 4 skiing only and 1 hiking only. Hut to hut in the USA: situation and outlook, This is a preliminary overview of the 15 hut-to-hut systems in the USA. This altitude range covers a full range of the mountain landscapes, including the forest, alpine meadows above the treeline and rocky high-altitude terrain. It operates two premier bike trails of 215 miles apiece, each with six, eight-person huts that are provisioned with food (guests do their own cooking) and beverages. As a stand-alone system, it owns and operates 14 backcountry ski huts connected by ski trails in the Aspen/Leadville area. The huts are quite luxurious, the food is great, and they have a liquor license. ; Exploring Bled, one of Europe’s most scenic spots.The bell tower of the 12th century pilgrimage church rises proudly from a tiny storybook islet in the middle of the lake, guarded by the medieval castle perched high atop a cliff. Tahoma Trails Association presents a model worth emulating on several counts: it is volunteer operated, it has the lowest overnight cost in the USA, it is in sound financial condition, and it enjoys close and productive cooperation with the state DNR. Most of the nations of Europe have hut systems that comprise hundreds of huts, and many other nations have significant organized infrastructure to support long distance human-powered travel. This is a preliminary overview of the 15 hut-to-hut systems in the USA. One of the most dramatic hut-to-hut hikes in Europe. Huts can include South American refugios, Himalayan teahouses, national park structures such as those in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, or quite elaborate backcountry hotels such as those in Norway and the Alps. While skiing is the most popular way of visiting huts, long distance hiking and biking are growing in popularity and provide opportunities for generating revenues in the shoulder seasons for hut owners. Sorry for confusion, […] think of the Alps but right here in North America we have a number of killer hut-to-hut traverses. Balfour and can be skied either guided or unguided. Most huts in the Dolomites are set between 1500 and 2600 meters of altitude. Part 1: Benefits. More About Hut to Hut Treks What exactly is a “hut”? Hut to Hut fastpacking means moving rapidly, unencumbered, and with maximum comfort. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There seems to be significant opportunity to locate hut systems on state lands. If you're looking for a unique hiking experience, look no further than backpacking hut to hut in the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire. As an umbrella organization, it provides booking services for another 20 privately owned and operated huts, including the Summit Huts Association. There are a number of systems under development or expanding, and I’m hoping readers will tip me off to others that should be included. These eight systems are relatively small in size, comprising 47 huts (44% of the national total) with 297 beds, about 20% of the national total. For women who aren’t completely into roughing it in tents or have a child in tow, but still like their girlfriends getaway adventures on the rugged side, the US hut to hut hiking systems provide a nice in-between option. Home » Hut-to-Hut Hiking The huts are a relatively new addition to the Sunshine Coast Trail, and they have been garnering a lot of attention — not just because they are gorgeous structures placed in unforgettable locations, but because they make the Sunshine Coast Trail one of the only trails in Canada where it is possible to hike hut-to-hut. We need to get ahead of the curve in meeting the needs of bikers and also protecting our lands from environmental damage that could be caused by irresponsible biking and sub-standard trails. Founded in 1876, the AMC is among the nation’s oldest outdoor clubs and the first to build a hut meant specifically for the convenience and safety of hikers. The eight AMC Huts in the Presidential Range, located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, are built on federal and state lands, and the AMC takes great care to monitor and limit the ecological impact of its huts. Top 10 Hut-to-Hut MTB Trips Sweating your way to a rustic lodge isn’t just a wintertime activity. In spite of its small size, Europe is chock-full of hut-to-hut hiking destinations. alpineclubofcanada.ca, Sun Valley Trekking has been guiding throughout central Idaho for more than three decades, and several of their six huts lie close enough together to travel between. They can be subdivided into: a. Self-Service Systems (unstaffed, providing cooking facilities and utensils, outhouses, and mattresses), and b. Hut visitors are required to follow protocols on social distancing, use of face masks, handwashing, and cleaning/disinfecting the hut. Connecting Anchorage to Girdwood, the 38-mile Eklutna Traverse is Alaska’s premiere hut-to-hut route, usually done over five or six days. And while North America can’t hold a candle to Europe’s extensive mountain-chalet infrastructure and deep hut heritage, there are more than 200 backcountry huts, lodges and yurts throughout the U.S. and Canada. And while North America can’t hold a candle to Europe’s extensive mountain-chalet infrastructure and deep hut heritage, there are more than 200 backcountry huts, lodges and yurts throughout the U.S. and Canada. Rainier and enjoys strong support from the DNR. Importantly, Colorado is home to the remarkable Tenth Mountain Division Huts, which is both a great hut system in itself, and a forward-thinking, inclusive organization keenly interested in the future of huts in the state. The Osprey Kyte 36 (for women) and the Osprey Kestrel 38 (for men) are the best hut-to-hut hiking backpacks on the market. Government operated, some of the cabins are open year-round, but the emphasis is on skiing. For Reservations Call: 970-925-5775 huts@huts.org 1280 Ute Ave Suite 21 Aspen, CO 81611 The largest concentration of hut systems is in the Pacific Northwest. The hut owners have established a state association (. Tahoma Trail Association is located on Washington State Department of Natural Resources land near Mt. My definition of hut system is: a chain of 3 or more huts, yurts or cabins intentionally spaced a days walk, bike or ski apart on a designated trail system. Hiking hut to hut, you will stay at a new hut each night, and thus enjoy the evening in a new location. I plan to visit and study all of them eventually to build the knowledge base. Hi guys! Staffing: Only 5 (33%) of hut systems have staff staying with guests in their huts. In the Smoky Mountains, connect Tornak Hut to the brand-new Coyote Yurts for a wildfire-burned glade tour. Established in 1984, the privately operated San Juan Huts is one of the largest (in number of huts and miles of trails) and one of the oldest systems in the nation. 10th Mountain unequivocally supports these protocols. Future posts will expand on this overview, adding new systems as I learn about them and presenting new data and findings. The Mt. But there is plenty of room (and I would argue need) for huts in the lower elevations, and near population centers. And they are much cheaper to stay in than the hut systems in New England. Hut traverses were born in Europe, where groups like the Swiss Alpine Club began building and managing high-mountain shelters as early as the mid 19th century. View our resort skinning policies guide », This is the year to go remote, and our 2021 Gear Guide has all the skis, boards, boots and bindings to get you there. Grande Traversee des Alps: GR5 Part 1 France Hike the GR5 from Chamonix to Pralognan-La-Vanoise See trip . More hut-to-hut hiking in USA? Its trails are full of culture and where the farmers and local communities still keep alive rich traditions from the past, like weaving Inca textiles. Source: Several outfits offer guided trips starting around $1,200 (including meals, guiding and lodging). 3. Highlights. Comments and corrections welcome. One system supports two forms: skiing and biking. These include the three full-service huts in New England, and two that provide guided trips that include meal service. This is due in part to the leadership and foresight of those running the Tenth Mountain Division Huts, and to a strong core of hut owners who see the benefit of having a common voice on land issues and other topics of cross-cutting interest. Three Sisters Backcountry operates 3 huts for winter use in the Southern Cascades near Bend, OR. Of the four hut systems in Colorado, two are for-profit and two are non-profit. The US Forest Service is the federal land agency with the largest number of huts, followed by BLM. All 8 of the for-profits are in the Western part of the nation. Here's a few of our favorites. The for-profit Never Summer Nordic maintains 14 self-service yurts. In my research I have found Colorado hut system owners unusually open to cooperation with each other in the interest of promoting huts state-wide. Again, this model could be valuable on a regional basis. However, anecdotally I do know from the operators that many of them are experiencing significant annual growth in business (this includes all three systems in New England, Tenth Mountain Division, San Juan Huts, Mt Tahoma, and Rendezvous). Hut-to-hut hiking in Europe: what to expect Hut-to-hut hiking involves trekking along an established trail during the day and crashing at a backcountry lodge come nightfall. The two systems in Washington State are quite different from each other and each has a unique flavor and story. We are building thousands of miles of new trails, but we simply don’t think about whether some small fraction of new and existing trails might be suitable for hut systems. Source: $1,475 per person for four nights (includes meals, porters, guiding and shuttle). 802.644.6606, Ski Mountaineering Skills with Andrew McLean – Season 2, Ski Mountaineering Skills with Andrew McLean – Season 1, Backcountry Magazine: 6 North American Hut-to-Hut Traverses, Igneous Women’s Carbon Swallowtail Splitboard, 2017 Editors’ Choice Awards: Skis 104-115mm. Linking each hut—Last Dollar, North Pole, Blue Lakes, Ridgway and Burn—covers some 35 miles, and the distance between huts varies between five and nine miles. The three New England systems cook and serve breakfasts and dinner, while three others either stock the hut with food to be cooked by guests or have guides do the cooking. Wallowa Alpine Huts is a for-profit enterprise offering guided trips, with food provided, to its four yurts near the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Eastern Washington. Otherwise $1200 Plus, 21 boots, 12 bindings and 28 pieces of apparel, all of [Read More…], Like a masterfully forged katana, Igneous’s Women’s Carbon Swallowtail was gorgeous, deadly Because huts have largely been kept small and simple, costs tend to be low. The Tenth Mountain Division Huts, established in 1982, is both a stand-alone non-profit hut system operating 13 huts of its own, and is an umbrella organization for a unique model of cooperation among 34 huts and yurts in Colorado. Backcountry Magazine brings us a look at six of […]. Not all multi-day treks have are rough and rugged. This is how we keep it clean and enjoyable for everyone . Trekking and Hiking Hut to Hut is a magical experience and we offer the best hikes in Chile, Peru, Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy. Spend two nights at each shelter. It is worth noting that though the three New England combined only account for 15 of the 107 huts in the U.S. (14%), they comprise nearly 50% of the total beds nationally. Many can be reached by car. The Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) in many states are building many cabins and yurts, but so far failing to connect the dots and link them into systems to meet a demand they do not yet perceive. But at the same time Ever wondered what's going on inside the backcountry huts? This preference is equally strong as you go further west. I believe huts as a form of outdoor infrastructure have great potential for conservation, recreation, and education in the USA. Hut-to-Hut Hiking, Wilderness Canoeing, Nature Tours, Backcountry Skiing and Snowshoeing in Wells Gray Park British Columbia (BC), Canada. The buildings generally provide space for eating, sleeping, and social interaction. Whether you head to the Alps, the Pyrenees or elsewhere plenty of adventure awaits on your next hut-to … Not included in this analysis are individual or pairs of huts, yurts, cabins, and lodges. There is a need to review the huge body of research data on environmental impact of various forms of recreation, and to draw some firm conclusions about how hut systems can and do concentrate human use in ways that protect the lands we treasure and from unwittingly “loving them to death”. White mountain huts are convenient and affordable. hut to hut in usa. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) started building the oldest hut system in the USA in 1889. Enjoy day hikes through the towering mountains and glacier fed lakes of the Canadian Rockies. “A ninja in … [Read More...], Here it is, the best gear for this winter—the 2017 Editors' Choice Awards. Hut to Hut Hiking In most of the world, backpacking means a rugged pair of boots, a heavy pack, a sleeping pad on the ground, and freeze-dried food. Built using existing private cabin infrastructure on land purchased from the International Paper Company, the system of 3 lodges in the AMC Maine Wilderness Lodges opened under AMC management in 2003. Source: Guided rates are based on number of days and group size ($200 per person per day with a group of four). Hut to hut hiking can be a fun alternative to tent camping. Part 2: Challenges, New Zealand Country Study: Annotated Table of Contents. Planning an enjoyable hut-to-hut hiking trip in the Julian Alps can be quite a challenge. They are the closest in their design and amenities to European hut systems. They provide food and guided expeditions. New Mexico’s Southwest Nordic Center operates a system of four yurts for winter use in the Cumbres Pass region. Which route to take, what the mountain huts in Slovenia are like, what to pack, what the weather is like, where can I get a good hiking map of the Julian Alps, and more. Link some together, and you’ve got a Euro-style ski-touring experience (schnitzel not included). You will almost think you're out west somewhere in the Rockies. Also excluded here are shelter systems, which are usually not enclosed buildings and do not include amenities for cooking food (such as stoves and utensils) and sleeping (such as mattresses). While hiking here you will encounter steep and rugged mountains. The weight is distributed perfectly. By Sam Demas, hut2hut.info. Hut-to-hut hiking offers an immersive adventure into the mountains that you simply won’t find on a one-day hike. tetonbackcountryguides.com, The 28-mile trek across Banff and Yoho National Parks’ Wapta and Waputik Icefields is North America’s premiere hut-to-hut route, linking four Alpine Club of Canada huts (Peyto, Bow, Balfour and Scott Duncan). This story first appeared in the February 2014 issue of Backcountry Magazine. The Rest of the West: This huge region includes eight systems: three in Oregon, two in Washington, and one each in Idaho, New Mexico, and Alaska. Similarly, there may be great opportunity to partner with timber companies and other large land private holders. Each hut provides hikers with a bed and food, as well as wood stoves for heat and social spaces. New England has three hut systems but contains the largest share (737, or about 50%) of total of 1,496 beds in the national system. Six of these eight systems are for-profit enterprises. The route primarily covers low-angle glaciers, but tops out with a 40-degree descent of Raven Headwall on the final day. New & News. Discover comfortable lodging while exploring the New Hampshire White Mountains. Grande Traversee des Alps GR5 France Hike the GR5 Mont Blanc to Mediterranean Sea See trip . Cascade Huts operates five huts/yurts near Hood River, OR in the Columbia River Valley. Nearly all hut owners cite inconsistent and onerous permitting processes as their biggest challenge. Table 1: Number of huts, geographic distribution, land ownership, & business models: 1. With a variety of landscapes to explore, there is no better way to see the immaculate European backcountry than on foot. The two largest systems in terms of number of huts are in Colorado: San Juan Huts and the Tenth Mountain Division Huts. Mission & Aims, Beliefs, and Perspectives, Country Studies: comparing hut systems across cultures, New Zealand Huts Country Study – Overview, Country Study: Long Distance Walking in Ireland, Appalachian Trail community and shelters Laura Johnston, Fishook Hut — Sun Valley Trekking: Photo Gallery, Pacific Crest Trail Community and Shelters Laura Johnston, Pioneer Yurt — Sun Valley Trekking: Photo Gallery, Trip Report: Lower Atlas Mountains through Berber Villages, Unique Cabin Designs That Can Make A Great Getaway, Book Review: Walks of a Lifetime in America’s National Parks, Field notes: Reflections on writing a guidebook to US Huts, History, Culture & Backcountry Skiing in Norway and Sweden, Village-to-village trekking in Thailand and Laos, For its land area and population USA has very few huts (107 in hut systems). Northward, in the Sawtooth Mountains, Bench Hut and Fishhook Yurt are easy to link up with a descent of the notable Gun Barrel Couloir. The outfit offers a five-day, four-night trip that travels between their Big Sheep Hut (6,400 feet) and McCulley Camp (7,500 feet). But they have yet to step back and learn from their own experience; which I observe has been very positive overall. Invite us to experience the live culture of the Incas. Sauna and burn skiing included. Hut traverses were born in Europe, where groups like the Swiss Alpine Club began building and managing high-mountain shelters as early as the mid 19th century. The Mt. There are trails linking some of these private huts, which effectively makes many of them part of a very large hut system (however these partially linked huts are not included in the data used for this report). These 15 hut systems include a total of 107 huts, yurts, and cabins. This 5 –day hut to hut hiking Peru adventure is a new alternative tour. Of course, these are not all strictly apples to apples comparisons, but you get the picture: there is room for growth in hut systems in the USA. The oldest are Rendezvous Huts (1981) and Mt. The federal government land management agencies now have a great deal of experience in working with hut systems. Finally, I am in the early stages of my research. Currently these 15 systems comprise 107 huts, yurts, and cabins, and offer 1,496 beds for long distance hut-to-hut hikers, bikers and skiers. Source: Guided rates are based on number of days and group size. Many include meals, bedding and the basics … I welcome partners to join me in studying the fascinating world hut systems in the USA and abroad. Its time for a national conversation about the role of huts in recreation and education. Americans love to hike their 167,00 miles … It is time for the federal land agencies to study their experience with huts so far, and to develop standardized and streamlined approaches to working with hut system owners, and to think about how hut systems might fit into national recreational planning and priorities. Alaska’s White Mountain National Recreation Area is a 1,000,000 acre BLM managed park with 12 cabins and 250 miles of groomed trails. Another interesting characteristic of most Colorado hut systems is that they are not used nearly as much for hut-to-hut travel as they are as base camps for skiing weekends. I could go on and on, but this is already too long. Colorado:  Colorado is the national leader in huts and yurts for backcountry skiing and biking. At the root of most thru-hikers’ dislike of all things Appalachian Mountain Club is the cost associated with All our hut systems are in the mountains, where the views are sublime and the skiing is great. Table 2: Type of buildings, number of beds, types of recreational activities, and selected amenities: Business models: Nationally, 8 hut systems are for-profit enterprises and 7 are non-profit. The first two systems operate only in winter and under US Forest Service permits that require them to take down their structures after ski season and put them back up in the fall. “North America’s Haute Route,” as it’s often called, takes four to six days, tops out at more than 10,000 feet on Mt. In this article, you’ll be learning what hut to hut hiking is, a few examples of some hut to hut trails, and the advantages of this […] New England:The non-profit AMC runs two hut systems: the AMC Huts in the Presidential Range and AMC Maine Lodge-to-Lodge Skiing. GO enjoy more manageable elevation gain than other hut hiking tours in the Western Alps. They have been generous in sharing information. The for-profit Rendezvous Huts works in close partnership with the remarkable Methow Valley Trails, which grooms a 120 mile trail system in Winthrop, WA on the East side of the Cascades. The oldest hut system in the West is the Rendezvous Huts in Washington. Oregon’s three hut systems are small, privately operated outfits. by Sam Demas and Wilson Josephson. Glacier National Park: Sperry Chalet Staying at the Sperry Chalet, you'll be treated to three meals daily and glorious views. Most of us associate hut-to-hut hiking with Switzerland, and while a trip to the Swiss Alps is certainly on our bucket list, there are places to go nearer to home. Maine Huts & Trails system of 4 huts on 80 miles of trail was established in 2007. The Alliance represents the owners of over 130 huts and yurts state-wide, including four hut systems. US hut systems are all located in mountainous terrain. The Tour du Mont Blanc and Alta Via 1 may be the best known hut to hut hiking tours in the Alps, but there are hundreds of possibilities to choose from. Self-guided options are available, too. While shelters and individual huts are extremely important and interesting infrastructure for outdoor recreation, they are not treated here. Cosy, picturesque, and most of all, remote, the mountain huts in Switzerland offer a chance to rest your head and refuel without having to descend to the nearest town or village. Colorado’s huts provide shelter without diminishing the rugged appeal or adventurous spirit of hiking the Rockies. Future posts will go into greater depth in characterizing the situation and outlook for hut systems in USA. Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains are known as America’s “Little Switzerland” for their jagged alpine terrain, and Wallowa Alpine Huts manages four shelters throughout the range. Check availability! . We’ve compiled a database of U.S. resorts with a little about each individual policy—where and when skinning is allowed, whether or not it’s free during operating hours and the link directly to the resort’s guidelines. The non-profit Summit Huts Association operates four self-service huts near Breckenridge; their heaviest use is in winter. This cooperative ethos is most evident in the membership and activities of the Colorado Alliance of Huts and Yurts, in its regular meetings that bring hut owners together to discuss common cause, and in its web site offering information about Colorado huts and yurts. The strong growth areas reported are in biking and hiking, particularly in systems that were originally designed for skiing. Colorado is a bellwether state for outdoor recreation and education. Their five-day, four-night hut-to-hut trip stretches between Baldy Knoll Hut (8,800 feet) and Plummer Canyon Hut (8,400 feet) at the southern end of the Tetons. sanjuanhuts.com, Out of Jackson Hole, Teton Backcountry Guides operates Wyoming’s sole backcountry hut system and manages three wintertime yurts (plus a summer-only yurt) in the Tetons. You have listed $800 for the wallowa huts, but the website doesn’t seem to have that number, Ur right thats the old price redeemable if u book before Sept 1