Intro to Backcountry Hut Trips

CAG has partnered with the Summit Huts Association to offer backcountry ski/splitboard and hut trip education! We have designed this as an introductory course to help you learn the skills necessary to be confident in venturing into the backcountry. A stepping stone to get off the resort and explore Colorado’s pristine backcountry.Join us on this 3 day course to learn the ins and outs of backcountry travel in the winter and how to properly execute a winter hut trip. Over the span of this course you will be taught the basics of traveling into the winter backcountry via skis or splitboard and will also spend time learning the proper etiquette to using a backcountry hut. Students and instructors will work together to execute meal plans (food not included in course cost), gather water, keep the fire going, ect. 

Prerequisites: This course can be taken on alpine touring skis, or splitboard. No prior backcountry experience required. Alpine touring skis and splitboards are available for rent from local shops. Students on skis or boards must be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at the ski resort.

What’s Included:

• 2 nights in Francie’s Cabin or Sister’s Hut
• Single Use Membership to the Summit Huts Association 
• CAG professional ski or splitboard guide 
• 24-hour course with a 6:1 maximum guide to student ratio
• Use of Ortovox Avalanche Safety Gear if needed (beacon, shovel, probe, pack)
• Demo ski and splitboard gear available for extra fee

Itinerary:

Day One:

We will spend the morning gathering our gear before transitioning to the field where we will then travel to the cabin. The afternoon will be spent utilizing field and hut instruction. 

Day 2 & 3: 

Two full days of classroom and field instruction where you will practice to better hone your winter backcountry skills. We turn the hut into a classroom and cover trip planning, decision making, route-finding techniques, and more. Field instruction takes place right out the door of the hut!