# Backcountry huts near Aspen

> The 10th Mountain Division huts near Aspen: McNamara, Margy's, the Benedict huts and the Braun huts, how the winter lottery and booking work, and avalanche safety.

Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/aspen-backcountry-huts/  
Updated: 2026-10-02 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge)

The **10th Mountain Division Hut Association**, based in Aspen, manages **38 backcountry huts** linked by 350 miles of suggested routes. Near Aspen are **McNamara** and **Margy's**, the **Benedict huts** (Fabi and Fritz), and the **Alfred A. Braun** huts up Castle Creek. You reach them on skins or snowshoes; there is no lift and no road.

Facts below come from the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, checked October 2, 2026. 2026–27 rates and lottery dates should be confirmed on huts.org.

## Huts within reach of Aspen

- **McNamara Hut and Margy's Hut**: Two of the original 10th Mountain huts, reached from trailheads in the Aspen area.
- **Benedict huts: Fabi and Fritz**: A pair of huts managed by 10th Mountain, often booked together by a larger group.
- **Braun huts**: The Alfred A. Braun Hut System, including Barnard, Goodwin-Greene and Lindley, in the high country of the Elk Mountains near Aspen.

## How booking works

Winter is booked through a **reservation lottery**, with members getting early access; remaining nights go on the online booking system, and there is a waitlist for full dates. Weekends and holiday weeks go first. The association is reachable on 970-925-5775.

Booking a whole hut for a group, as a family or a company retreat, takes planning months ahead. We can track the dates and prepare the request; the reservation itself is made with 10th Mountain.


## Avalanche terrain: go with a guide

Routes to the huts cross or approach avalanche terrain. Every member of the party needs a transceiver, shovel and probe and the training to use them, and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast should be read the morning you leave. For most visitors the right answer is a certified mountain guide who carries the responsibility, sets the pace and knows the route in the dark.

We don't guide. We can arrange a licensed guiding service, the rental of backcountry equipment, the drive to the trailhead and the food carried up, and confirm each provider's permits and certifications before you book.


## The backcountry, in a day

For a first taste, Aspen Mountain and Snowmass offer uphill routes on groomed runs, and Ashcroft has groomed Nordic trails to Pine Creek Cookhouse. See [cross-country skiing](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-cross-country-skiing/) and [the sleigh ride dinner](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-sleigh-ride-dinner/).


## Questions

**How many 10th Mountain huts are there?**  
The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association manages 38 backcountry huts in Colorado, linked by 350 miles of suggested routes.

**Which huts are closest to Aspen?**  
McNamara and Margy's huts, the Benedict huts (Fabi and Fritz) and the Alfred A. Braun huts, such as Barnard, Goodwin-Greene and Lindley.

**How do you book a 10th Mountain hut in winter?**  
Through the association's winter reservation lottery, then its online booking system for remaining nights, with a waitlist for full dates.

**Do I need avalanche training to go to a hut?**  
Routes cross avalanche terrain. Carry a transceiver, shovel and probe, know how to use them, check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast, or go with a certified guide.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

Lessons, a table afterwards and a driver home.

- [A nanny or babysitter](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=childcare): We find and brief a nanny or babysitter for the days the little ones aren't in ski school, or the evenings you go out: at the house, the same person all week if you like.
- [Après, ready at the house](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=apres-ready): Come in from the mountain to the fire lit, something warm to drink and a spread laid out: set up while you ski by our chef or caterer, from groceries already in the house.
- [A driver for the evening](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=evening-driver) (From $210 per hour): A car and driver on call for dinner and the night out, so nobody hunts for a taxi at midnight.
- [A day out, planned](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=day-out): Reservations, timing, a driver and a picnic for Maroon Bells or a day in the valley, arranged around your group.

## Sources (checked October 2, 2026)

- [10th Mountain Division Hut Association](https://www.huts.org/)
- [Colorado Avalanche Information Center](https://avalanche.state.co.us/)

## Related

- [Cross-country skiing](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-cross-country-skiing/): Nordic trails around Aspen.
- [Snowmobile tours](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-snowmobile-tours/): Maroon Bells and lunches.
- [Sleigh ride dinners](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-sleigh-ride-dinner/): Pine Creek and The Cabin.
- [Things to do in winter](https://aspenprive.com/things-to-do-in-aspen-in-winter/): Beyond the slopes.

To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html