Winter camping is magnificent and hard work. Huts and cabins offer a middle path: a roof, a wood stove and bunks reached by skis, snowshoes or a long walk, without the weight of a tent and sleeping system. The tradition of mountain huts is old in Europe, and North America has built its own network of backcountry shelters, from historic ski huts in the Rockies to Forest Service cabins in Alaska. Most are simple, with bunks or sleeping platforms, a wood or propane stove, and a table, while some serve meals and offer more comfort. Reservations are the main challenge, since popular huts fill months ahead, and some use lotteries or membership priority for winter dates. Access can be demanding, with long ski tours, avalanche terrain and shorter days, so skills matter. Learn avalanche safety, carry a beacon, shovel and probe where needed and check the forecast. Pack food, water, a headlamp and layers, and follow the rules for firewood and leaving the hut clean. The ten systems below cover a range of difficulty, from lodge-style stays to remote cabins.
Colorado's 10th Mountain Division Hut Association runs one of the best-known hut systems in North America, with roughly three dozen huts linked by hundreds of miles of suggested routes in the central Rockies. Sources count anywhere from 29 to 34 huts, depending on how the system is defined. The network is named for the Army ski troops trained at Camp Hale during the Second World War, and it was built in the decades afterward. Huts are rustic and comfortable, with bunks, wood stoves and kitchens, and most are reached by ski tours of several miles with significant elevation gain. Winter reservations follow a staggered schedule. According to the association, members can enter a reservation lottery with forms due in mid-February, member booking opens in April, and non-members can book other huts starting in June. Memberships cost from about 25 dollars a year to lifetime levels. Popular weekends fill quickly, and partial bookings can be made. Travel in the backcountry requires avalanche training and gear. The association's website lists current rules and details.
Summit Huts, in the mountains above Breckenridge and Frisco, is a smaller Colorado system with some of the most accessible winter cabins in the Rockies. The network of cabins sits at high elevations, with access by ski or snowshoe along trails that range from a couple of miles to longer, steeper tours. Janet's Cabin, Francie's Cabin and the Section House are among the best known, and they are used by families, groups and backcountry skiers. The buildings are warm and comfortable, with bunks, stoves and kitchens, and they are run by a nonprofit that maintains them. Summit County's proximity to Denver, about an hour and a half by car, makes it a popular choice for weekend trips, and the huts book up quickly in winter. Reservations are made online or by phone, and the association publishes the booking rules and fees. As in other areas, avalanche awareness is required, and travelers should check the forecast from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Bring your own food, water, bedding and headlamps. The cabins are a good choice for people who want a first hut trip with a manageable approach.
Alaska's national forests hold one of the biggest networks of rental cabins in the country, and the U.S. Forest Service manages more than a hundred of them in the Tongass and Chugach forests. Many are reached by floatplane, boat or on foot, and they sit on lakes, coasts and mountain valleys, with a wood stove, bunks and a cut-off from the rest of the world. Winter access depends on the cabin: some are reached by snowmachine or ski, while others are best in the shoulder seasons. Fees are modest, usually between about 25 and 75 dollars a night, and reservations are made online through Recreation.gov, often up to six months ahead. The rules vary by cabin, so read the description carefully. Winter conditions are harsh, with limited daylight and deep cold, and rescue can be far away, so carry satellite communication and extra food. Check with the local ranger district about snow conditions and avalanche hazard. The cabins are a way to get a taste of Alaska's wilderness at a low cost, and they appeal to adventurous travelers.
Maine Huts and Trails is a network of backcountry lodges in the mountains of western Maine, in the Carrabassett Valley. The lodges, built with sustainable features such as hydropower and solar energy, are linked by about 80 miles of trails that can be used for skiing, snowshoeing and, in other seasons, hiking and biking. Stays include bunks, hot showers and meals prepared by staff, which makes it more comfortable than a typical hut. Winter visitors ski or snowshoe in from the trailheads, and the distances between lodges are manageable for most reasonably fit people. The lodges, which include Stratton Brook Hut, Poplar Stream Falls Hut, Flagstaff Hut and Grand Falls Hut, are situated near rivers and ponds with views of the surrounding peaks. Rates vary by season and include meals, and reservations are available online. Maine winters are cold and snowy, with the best conditions often in January through March. The system is operated by a nonprofit that emphasizes conservation and education. For skiers in the East who want a hut-to-hut experience without the avalanche hazard of the Rockies, it is an excellent choice.
The Appalachian Mountain Club runs a chain of huts in New Hampshire's White Mountains, and Zealand Falls Hut is one of the best for winter visits. The hut sits in a valley beside a series of waterfalls, with views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. In winter, the AMC operates its huts in a self-service mode, with a caretaker on site and guests bringing their own food and cooking on the hut stove. The hut can be reached via a track from the end of Zealand Road, which is closed to cars in winter, so visitors ski or snowshoe about three miles in. Nearby, the Ethan Pond Trail and the Appalachian Trail offer more options, and the Zealand Falls trail leads to the hut. The AMC takes reservations online, and dates can fill on winter weekends. White Mountain weather can be severe, with high wind and extreme cold on summits, so check the forecast from the Mount Washington Observatory and the White Mountain National Forest. The hut offers a safe and sociable base for a winter weekend in the heart of the Whites.
The Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho are home to a set of backcountry yurts, round canvas-walled shelters with wood stoves and bunk beds that are popular for ski and snowshoe trips. Operated by guide services in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and nearby national forests, the yurts sit at the end of tours through sagebrush valleys and forested slopes, with views of the jagged granite peaks that give the range its name. Access ranges from a short skin of a few miles to longer tours, and some yurts are used as bases for backcountry skiing. Guides offer instruction and avalanche courses, and guided trips are available if you prefer company. Reservations are made through the guide companies, and the yurts are stocked with cooking gear, firewood and cots, though visitors bring food and sleeping bags. The area experiences cold, dry conditions, and snowpack can be thin early in the season. Sun Valley and Ketchum, an hour or so to the south, have lodging and shops. A yurt trip offers a taste of backcountry living with a bit of comfort.
The Rendezvous Huts, in the Methow Valley of north-central Washington, are a set of ski-in huts linked by backcountry trails in the Cascades. The huts, located a few hours' ski from the nearest road, offer bunks, wood stoves and kitchens in a setting of open meadows and forest, with views of peaks such as Silver Star. A hut-to-hut trip allows skiers to cross terrain that would be hard to do in a day, and the huts are staffed or managed by a nonprofit that takes reservations through a lottery for the busiest dates. The huts are served by trails that are partly groomed and partly backcountry, so some routes are suited to novices with good fitness, while others require advanced skills. The Methow Valley has a drier climate than the west side of the Cascades, with lighter snow, but cold nights. Winthrop and Mazama provide lodging, restaurants and gear shops. Avalanche hazard exists on some slopes, so check the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast. The system pairs well with a stay on the valley's groomed trails before or after the hut trip.
Clair Tappaan Lodge, on Donner Summit near Truckee, is a Sierra Club ski lodge that has welcomed winter visitors since 1934. It is a large wood building with dormitory-style bunks, shared meals and a communal atmosphere, closer in spirit to a hostel than a hut. The lodge sits a short distance from Royal Gorge and the groomed trails of Donner Summit, and a network of backcountry routes begins nearby. Guests take part in chores, sit around the fire and share long tables, which fosters community. The lodge offers lessons, rentals and guided trips, and reservations are made online. Rates are lower than at commercial resorts, which makes it a popular choice for families and groups. The Sierra receives heavy snow, so winter can bring blizzards and road closures on Interstate 80, which passes over the summit. Chains are often required, and drivers should check conditions with Caltrans. A stay at Clair Tappaan is a reminder of an earlier era of skiing, when lodges were gathering places, and it remains one of the more affordable ways to spend a winter weekend in the Sierra.
Adirondak Loj, run by the Adirondack Mountain Club on the shores of Heart Lake near Lake Placid, is a lodge and cabin complex that serves as a gateway to the High Peaks. In winter, guests stay in private rooms, bunk rooms or cabins, and meals are served at the lodge. The property has a network of ski and snowshoe trails starting at the door, including routes to Mount Jo and into the High Peaks Wilderness, along with rentals for equipment. The Adirondack Mountain Club also offers guided trips, courses in winter skills and avalanche awareness, and maintains the trails. Heart Lake freezes in winter, and the setting is quiet and scenic. Johns Brook Lodge, farther into the High Peaks, is another club property, but winter access is more demanding. Reservations are made through the club, and winter weekends fill up. The Adirondacks can be bitterly cold, with deep snow, so pack extra layers. The lodge is open to members and non-members, with discounts for members. It is a good choice for people who want a base in the mountains without going deep into the backcountry.
Across the western states, the Forest Service rents out a collection of historic fire lookouts and cabins, many of them available in winter. Lookout towers perched on summits, with a single room and a catwalk, offer views over snowy ranges and forests, and they are among the most memorable places to spend a night. Pacific Northwest states such as Washington and Oregon have the largest numbers, with others in Montana, Idaho and California. Winter access can be difficult: roads close, and visitors may need to snowshoe or ski several miles, sometimes through avalanche terrain, so choose a lookout that matches your skills. Reservations are made through Recreation.gov, often up to six months ahead, and popular dates are booked as soon as they open. Amenities are basic, with a bed, a stove or heater and sometimes a cooking area, and guests carry in their own water and bedding. The buildings were once manned by lookouts who spotted fires, and they carry that history. Check the district office for road status, snow depth and rules, and plan to stay flexible if weather turns.
