Guided trips

The well known and popular OPUS Hut is located in the high mountains between the famous ski towns of Silverton and Telluride. The hut is surrounded by awesome tree runs, wide open bowls, and steep, craggy faces. This program is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers and boarders looking for a once in a lifetime ski trip, all while living in the luxury of a beautiful, fully catered hut.

As featured in Ski Magazine, Outside Magazine, and The New York Times – the Million Dollar Ski Traverse! This is a hut-to-hut-to-hut backcountry touring experience that links up the quintessential mountain towns of Silverton and Ouray, CO via three of the areas prestigous backcountry lodges – The Ophir Pass Ultimate Ski Hut (OPUS) The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge (RMAL) and the Mt. Hayden Backcountry Lodge (MHBL). Our tour begins in the town of Silverton, where we will shuttle to the trailhead at the junction of Highway 550 and the Ophir Pass Road, which serves as our approach to the OPUS Hut. Arriving to the OPUS around noon will give us an afternoon to explore some tours and terrain in the Ophir Pass area, before returning to the hut for dinner. After a hearty breakfast, the group will gear up for the ascent over a 13,000′ col and subsequent ski descent to Columbine Lake. From there, an inspiring high alpine traverse through upper Porphyry and Mineral Basins takes us to the shoulder of Trico Peak (13,321′) – the point at which 3 Counties meet (San Juan, San Miguel, and Ouray Counties). An enjoyable ski descent takes us to the Red Mountain Alpine Lodge – our accommodations for the next two nights. The next day, we have the opportunity to ski around Red Mountain Pass which offers a number of inspiring objectives such as Champion Bowl and Hollywood on Red #3. After our second night at RMAL, we’ll gear up for our ascent of Senator Beck Basin towards historic Imogene Basin, where we’ll tour up and over a 13,000′ col, passing by Telluride Peak (13,509′) along the way, and ski right down to the Hayden Backcountry Lodge. The final day of the program allows for a final morning ski tour before heading down into the Camp Bird Rd zone where our shuttle vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Ouray.

Our most popular Summer Trip is back and Updated for 2026!! – Back by popular demand we are excited for the third year of our iconic Million Dollar Trek, a hut-to-hut-to-hut (yes, that’s 3 different huts!) backcountry trekking experience inspired by the supported trekking style made famous in the European Alps. This trip spans the terrain along the legendary “Million Dollar Highway,” a jaw-dropping 35+mile journey that links the quintessential mountain towns of Silverton and Ouray, CO. Forget carrying heavy packs, and hike unencumbered between three of the area’s prestigious backcountry lodges – The Ophir Pass Ultimate Ski Hut (OPUS) The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge (RMAL) and the Mt. Hayden Backcountry Lodge (MHBL). The Million Dollar Trek is an epic 5 day 4 night traverse of some of the most inspiring high mountain terrain in the San Juans. Alpine Lakes, ridge traverses, and rarely accessed terrain accompany luxury accommodations and great food make for a one-of-its-kind trip in the lower 48. This journey uses historical mining roads, cross country travel, and established single-track trails to traverse off the beaten path, and discover pristine alpine lakes and seldom-climbed summits in the most alluring terrain in the San Juans. Perhaps most importantly – you’ll only be carrying a daypack as at all of the huts and lodges food is included so trip participants will just be carrying day trekking gear and lunch .