Is there motorized hut access in Vail Pass?

[AKdragon700]

http://www.huts.org/hut_details/index.html

I was looking to do a weekend of snowmachining and skiing with some buddies up in Vail Pass one of these weekends. Is there any motorized access to rental huts in Vail Pass and what huts would it be? Has anyone had any prior experience of staying at a rental hut that has motorized access anywhere in Colorado? If yes where? and how can I find more info?

Thanks Everyone

 

[PJ-Hunter]

http://www.huts.org/hut_details/index.html

I was looking to do a weekend of snowmachining and skiing with some buddies up in Vail Pass one of these weekends. Is there any motorized access to rental huts in Vail Pass and what huts would it be? Has anyone had any prior experience of staying at a rental hut that has motorized access anywhere in Colorado? If yes where? and how can I find more info?

Thanks Everyone

No. Sledders aren't even allowed in the vicinity of the huts, only douchebag skiers.

 

[AKdragon700]

F-that. Is there any at all in colorado?

 

[milehighassassin]

Technically you can use a sled to get there, but there are different "buffer zones" around each hut where there is no motorized access allowed. This buffer varries from 100 yards to 1/4 of a mile.

I went to the Ben Eisman hut on the North Side of I-70 (Vail) and had a blast. Honestly the sledding wasn't great but it was still fun and the sleds made hauling in the booze and hauling out the trash nice. We had a cool group up there. Remember you share the hut so you could end up with some real d-bags. We offered to haul out all the trash as a good gesture.

Unless you want the hut experience there are some cool places you can stay at such as:

http://www.greenbridgeinn.com/

They are in Red Cliff and very sled friendly.

 

[snowgood]

vagabond ranch near granby/grandlake,gravel mt. its 3 to 4 miles in with numerous cabins for rent very reasonable on prices

 

[AndrettiDog]

Be ready to deal with people that treat you like you are the 2nd coming of Hitler. Some are really cool, but others will despise you for having a sled. Even the website for the huts says that snowmobiles are highly discouraged - which is bull$hit. As others said, there is a 1/4 mile envelope around the huts. Just respect that and you are good. I've done Eisman, Fowlard-Hilliard (sp?), Skinner and Betty Bear.

Skinner is near Leadville and you can ride up Hagerman Pass which has some great snowmobiling as long as it is not wind loaded. There are some big avalanche bowls up there as well. I pulled some friends up and then left the sled and went the rest of the way. I got dirty looks and bad attitude from some x-country skiers. They had the balls to ask for a pull out on the way out because they were tired. Needless to say they got a good workout that day.

 

[snomoB]

One place near Vail Pass I have stayed at 4 seasons now is the Hidden Treasure Yurts. They are located on the west side of the Holy Cross wilderness on New York mt, we have rented both yurts before (they sleep 8 a piece) and had a great time. The yurts are on private land and border national forest with some killer meadows and some access to skinning on a north facing slope. $175/ night per yurt

I second that about Vagabond Ranch, they even rent beds for $37/ night and have some sweet skiing lines not far away. Jeremy the caretaker is a hardcore sledder and a great guy as well, you will not be disappointed a Vagabond. Both mentioned have websites.

 

[AKdragon700]

Ya I hate this vibe between the skiers and anything with a engine. Back in AK where I would do my riding I never once saw a skier or was told I wasn't allowed to go somewhere. I almost laughed when the guy said I had to buy a day pass to go riding and that I needed a map to know where I can and can't go. But so far I am really happy with my Colorado riding experiences. Parking lots are plowed and well maintained, theres groomed trails, trails are marked with maps, and the snow and terrain is AWESOME!

Thanks for all the hut references, I'm definitely gonna try and reserve a weekend with some friends once I get all the skinning equipment I hoped I wouldn't need lol