| Colorado Hut Skiing |
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In the October issue of TRAVELER, we feature 22 superb weekend getaways. One of our selections is skiing the backcountry routes of Colorado’s 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. According to writer Claire Walter, this 350-mile (563-kilometer) network of paths links 20 high-country huts scattered among Aspen, Vail, and Leadville. We think you’ll be inspired to visit after reading Walter’s tale. So here we offer the best links on skiing and travel to this region. |
BASICS
Planning Your Trip
www.huts.org/index.html
Information on planning a hut trip and accessing your skiing skills—plus, information on news, contacts for avalanche reports, reservations, shuttle services, and more
Making Telephone Calls
www.prodial.com/codes1.html
Telephone area codes for towns surrounding the trails
Checking Weather Forecasts
www.goski.com/weather/wusa.htm
Weather maps, snow and ski conditions, a windchill conversion table, and a link to the Avalanche Information Center
www.caic.state.co.us
Weather reports, guidelines for level-one and level-two courses, accident reports, and key contacts—provided by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
ESSENTIALS
Where to Stay
www.huts.org/index.html
Information on hut rates and availability
www.colorado.com/channels/dest_info/cities/
showMerchants.asp?city_id=168&activity_id=5,22,30&
rec_count=0
Listings and contact information for hotels, lodges, cabins, and
bed-and-breakfasts in Vail
www.skicooper.com/accom.html
Listings with telephone numbers for Leadville-area inns, motels, and vacation rentals
www.colorado.com/channels/dest_info/cities/
showMerchants.asp?city_id=7&activity_id=5,22,30&
rec_count=0
Listings and contact information for bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, cabins, and lodges in Aspen
Where to Eat
www.mtn-guide.com/rest.cfm/s1/co103.htm
A comprehensive listing with phone numbers for restaurants in Aspen—with information on cuisine and price ranges
www.coloradoskicountry.com/rest.cfm/s1/co39.htm
A listing of Vail-area restaurants, with information on cuisine and price ranges
www.mtn-guide.com/rest.cfm/s1/co113.htm
A comprehensive listing with phone numbers, price ranges, and cuisine descriptions for Leadville-area restaurants
RESOURCES FOR HUT SKIERS
How to Find an Outfitter
www.aspen.com/expeditions
The official site for an outfitter, Aspen Expeditions that offers two-day and three-day excursions for novice and intermediate-level skiers
www.paragonguides.com
The official site for an outfitter, Paragon Guides, which offers three-day to six-day ski trips for skiers at all ski levels
What to Bring
www.destinationaspen.com/huts/from/from6.htm
Topography maps from the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association in Aspen—plus, general information on trail skiing, hut amenities, hut rates, trip preparation, and more
MEDIA
Books
www.amazon.com
Sells the official guide to hut skiing, Colorado Tenth Mountain Huts and Trails: The Official Guide to America’s Largest Backcountry Ski Hut System by Louis W. Dawson.
Magazines and Newsletters
www.cyberwest.com/color.htm
A recreation guide that includes selected articles on the backcountry and skiing in Colorado from Cyberwest Magazine
www.couloirmag.com
The online version of Couloir magazine, which offers articles on backcountry skiing and information on ski gear
FOR MORE INFORMATION
10th Mountain Division Foundation
www.10thmtndivassoc.org/foundation.html
Includes historical information on hut skiing, upcoming events, chapter locations, and more
GoSki Colorado
www.goski.com/rusaco/1ten.htm#serve
Information on the history of the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and hut skiing throughout the world—plus, related news, and useful travel links
