Winter 2025/26 Newsletter Vol. 1
Dear Friends of Summit Huts,
As the snow begins to fall and the mountains start to turn white again, I’m excited to welcome you to the start of the 2025/26 winter hut season! There’s always something special about this time of year with the anticipation of fresh turns, cozy nights in a hut, and the shared joy of being in the backcountry together.
This season, we’re especially excited about the launch of our new reservations platform, designed to make planning your hut trips easier and more seamless than ever. We know how much these experiences mean to our community, and we’re proud to make that process simpler and more user-friendly for everyone. As the season approaches, we already have nearly 7,000 user nights booked and there are still plenty of beds and cabins available throughout the winter.
Our new website is full of information about each cabin, routes, and all the basics you’ll need to plan your trip. Whether you’ve been visiting the huts for years or are planning your first adventure, we’re here to help. Please reach out if you can’t find the information you need or have questions about our hut system.
Beyond that, there are lots of exciting things happening at Summit Huts with enhanced educational programs to major improvements at some of our cabins. We’ll be sharing updates throughout the season, so stay tuned for summer recaps and the latest cabin news.
Thank you for being part of our community! Your backcountry experiences, both individual and shared, are what make Summit Huts so special. Our cabins are meant to keep the spirit of mountain adventure and stewardship of our natural world alive. Here’s to another great winter in the high country!
Greg Guevara
Executive Director
Summit Huts X Patagonia
Summit Huts has teamed up with Patagonia to announce the relaunch of The PowSlayer Kit.
It’s a bold goal to make the best better. Over the past 13 years, Patagonia’s PowSlayer series has earned a near mythical status among those seeking the steepest, deepest powder in the biggest mountains. These aren’t the ones bragging at the end of the day; they are the ones who let their tracks do the talking, who start before sunrise and leave behind lines as proud as they are nameless. The new PowSlayer Freeride Kit is built for those riders.
December 9th is Colorado Gives Day!
Your generosity makes a significant impact in helping to maintain Summit Huts and creating more accessibility to those who want to experience the Colorado backcountry. Our goal is to raise $12,000 to help more students experience an educational and memorable backcountry hut trip.
Winter Season Reminders
What to Expect Next With Your Reservation
- Sign our participant waiver
- Enter the names and emails of each person in your group
- Door and sauna access codes
- Parking details and passes that can be distributed to your group
- A trip specific information sheet
Our Cancellation and Refund Policy
- Cancellations made 31 days or more before your trip receive an 80% refund
- Cancellations made 30 to 11 days prior receive a 50% refund
- No refunds are available within 10 days of your reservation start date
Hut Improvements: Section House & Ken’s
We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates to Section House and Ken’s Cabin, designed to make your next visit way more comfortable….and warmer!
At Section House, over the last two years the Historicorps has tackled several key improvements to preserve the cabin’s historic nature while enhancing comfort. The entire cabin was lifted and a concrete foundation was poured and the bottom logs replaced. The exterior now features freshly completed chinking, helping to keep the elements out and the warmth in. All of the gaps and holes were sealed and wood replaced where needed.
Historicorps rebuilt or replaced all the windows and made them operable as well as leveled the floor and rebuilt the doors so they seal properly. Section House now sports a brand new metal roof. Inside, new attic insulation was added and the cabin is brightened up with fresh ceiling drywall and paint. A new boot rack will store and dry your mountain gear after a long day outdoors.
Next door at Ken’s Cabin, the focus was on both structural upgrades and comfort improvements. The foundation received attention with new bottom logs installed, and several wall logs were replaced to ensure the cabin remains safe and sturdy for years to come. For the first time, the cabin now has complete ceiling insulation, which will make a noticeable difference on colder nights, keeping the space much warmer than before. New chinking sealed the gaps and spaces to keep out drafts and critters. The windows were rebuilt and now open and close with ease.
A massive thank you to Historicorps for their renovations and attention to the historic preservation of these cabins. These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving our huts while preserving their unique character. We can’t wait for you to see (and feel!) the improvements firsthand on your next adventure!
Hut Improvements: Francie’s Cabin
Francie’s Cabin, the most popular hut in Colorado, has been undergoing renovations over the last several summer seasons. Many of you have seen the new kitchen, floors and interior upgrades that were completed two years ago. This summer, we wrapped up all of the exterior projects that enhance the look and, more importantly, the longevity of Francie’s Cabin.
The cabin now boasts a brand new roof, providing extra protection from the elements and keeping the interior cozy and dry no matter the weather. In addition, we’ve completed new chinking around the logs, improving insulation and helping to maintain a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the cabin.
The logs were resealed and stained, the cabin looks brand new. Metal skirting was added to the lower part of the cabin to help prevent animals from gnawing on the logs, sorry Mr. Porcupine.
Lastly, new log railings around the front and back decks ensure our guests’ safety and look amazing. These updates keep Francie’s Cabin as a safe, comfortable, and welcoming retreat for hikers, skiers, and adventurers from near and far. Whether you’re stopping by for a night’s rest or a weekend getaway, these improvements help this beloved hut endure the high alpine climate. After several years, the remodel on Francie’s is complete!
