(Hut Name) Eiseman Hut (10th Mtn)

(trip was guided) no
(trip was catered) no
(I rate the skiing as) acceptable
(I rate the hut as) acceptable

(Would I go again) no

(Comments) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Eiseman hut is perched on a west-facing shoulder. As you stand on the front porch at night, you can watch the groomers work on Vail Mountain and on Beaver Creek. And therein lies the lack of appeal of this hut. It does not convey the sense of being "away" that you get at many of the other huts.

I disliked that intensely. The earn-your-turns skiing is okay, but terrain below treeline is pretty limited. Hence, if you have bad weather, you're somewhat limited.

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(Hut Name) Eiseman Hut (10th Mtn)

(trip was guided) no
(trip was catered) no
(I rate the skiing as) great
(I rate the hut as) great

(Would I go again) yes

(Comments) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
While this hut looks down on Vail's N. facing slopes, the Spring skiing/ mountaineering is great. If you don't mind a little touring, there's plenty of tree skiing available E., W. and N. of the hut. The steep lines on the ridge and peak E. of the hut (it takes a while to get out there) are amazing! A fairly long slog into the hut too.
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(Name) Kurt
(email) kurt@xmission.com

(Hut Name) Shrine (10th Mtn. Div.)

(trip was guided) no
(trip was catered) no
(I rate the skiing as) acceptable
(I rate the hut as) great

(Would I go again) yes

(Comments) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes I would go to this hut again...with novice backcountry enthusiasts. Really, it's a hotel above Vail Pass w/ some private rooms, and even a shower. There is some short steep skiing on the ridge and nice mellow skiing in the bowl beyond the ridge. Of course the views of Holy Cross are sublime. The hard core BC types wouldn't be interested other than a start or ending to a hut-to-hut trip.
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(Name) Kurt (email) kurt@xmission.com

(Hut Name) Skinner (10th Mtn. Div.)

(trip was guided) no
(trip was catered) no
(I rate the skiing as) great
(I rate the hut as) great

(Would I go again) yes

(Comments) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This hut is really OUT there sandwiched between two Wilderness areas. There is some moderate tree skiing, but you have to hunt for it. Really, this is another Spring skiing delicacy--as steep as you can stand it. There are plenty of aspects so you can "work" the terrain harvesting the corn as it ripens. As with all the 10th Mtn. huts, the hut is great in a spectacular setting. It would be interesting in a whiteout as there are cliff bands on many aspects surrounding the hut. We read numerous accounts in the log books of people having to bivy trying to get to the hut (one guy within a few hundred feet of the hut). NOT for novices.
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(Name) Kurt
(email) kurt@xmission.com

(Hut Name) Fowler-Hilliard (10th Mtn. Div)

(trip was guided) no
(trip was catered) no
(I rate the skiing as) great
(I rate the hut as) great

(Would I go again) yes

(Comments) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've been to this hut twice. One of the nicest 10th Mtn. Div. huts I've been to as far as "close-in" skiing is concerned. You don't have to tour two miles to find nice terrain--it's right out the front and back doors. If it's dumping you've got the trees N. of the hut (and the N. facing shots E. & W. along this ridge). In the Spring you have Resolution Bowl right out the front door. We have had some issues with snowmobilers here though, ignoring designated skiing areas and "hut" boundaries. The accommodations as usual, are superb.
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(Name) Kurt
(email) kurt@xmission.com

(Hut Name) JackAl (10th Mtn. Div.)

(trip was guided) no
(trip was catered) no
(I rate the skiing as) good
(I rate the hut as) great

(Would I go again) yes

(Comments) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderate terrain surrounding the hut. We finally had some powder on our last day, so we hit some of the glades on the N. side. Touring out to Pearl Peak, Corbett Peak and Elk Ridge takes a while, but in the Spring corn season, well worth it. By the time we got out there, we were closer to Janet's than to JackAl Hut! Really FABULOUS views and you can't beat the chalet.
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(Name) Kurt
(email) kurt@xmission.com