Hut Trips

    PLAY maintains two huts on State of Idaho lands northeast of McCall, ID and east of Payette Lake. These huts access State of Idaho and Payette National Forest lands for backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding. Both huts offer cross country touring from gentle to more challenging and terrain for telemark and alpine touring with slopes from beginner to expert.

    The huts ( we do not have yurts, but it made a good acronym) are steel framed structures with a fabric shell and insulation.  Each is 12'x24' and constructed on a wooden platform 4' to 8' off the ground.  Each hut has a deck area and covered wood storage. Both huts can sleep up to 8 persons on bunk beds or on a combination of bunk beds, futon and pads.  There are foam pads for each bunk.  A wood stove provides heat and a means to melt snow for drinking water.  Split wood is provided, with a hatchet to split kindling.  Fire starters are provided to ease getting the fire started.  Cooking is done on a propane stove with bulk propane provided.  Cooking utensils and pans are available to do most kinds of stove top cooking.  There are plates, cups, bowls, and silverware for 8 or more guests.  Each hut has a small sink for doing dishes, with a drain for grey water (no more splashing dish water all over trying to dispose of it outside).  Each hut has a photovoltaic light system, a Coleman lantern, and an LED lantern for back up ( fuel and batteries provided). There is a large table and several chairs for sitting around the hut or sunning on the deck.

    Our wood fired saunas have received great reviews from our guests.  Each hut's sauna can accommodate 4-6 people at a time. We have installed composting toilets which have no odor.  Everything is provided except your food and a warm sleeping bag.  We have been hut skiing for 20 years so we know what skiers and snowshoers want in a backcountry retreat. 

Fido   

We are rarely without our dog, Makalu, and he loves hut trips as much as we do. So we allow dogs at the huts. We require that everyone follow a few simple rules so that we can continue to allow dogs. Dogs must be under the owner's control at all times, owners must keep dogs from areas used for collection of snow for culinary purposes, and must keep the huts clean.

The areas around the huts are known to periodically have wolves move through. While actually seeing a wolf is a rare occurrence, a confrontation with dogs is even rarer. Simple precautions should be taken, never leave your dog to wander on their own.

What to Bring on a Hut Trip

     The only things absolutely necessary are a good winter sleeping bag ( we suggest a 0 degree or colder rated bag), your own food and personal items.  Additional personal items will depend on what activities you plan for your trip.  Below is a suggested list, it is considered to be exhaustive and may vary with type and length of trip and also the size of the party.

Personal Equipment list

            Sleeping bag suggested good to 0 degrees F,

                or at least to 10 degrees F

            Pillow-inflatable easiest to carry (optional)

            Backpack need to be used as daypack also

            Off-trail Nordic skis or snowshoes

            Ski poles

            Nordic ski boots or insulated pack boots

            Headlamp or small flashlight

            Matches in waterproof container

            Cigarette lighter and fire starter

            Basic First aid kit (personal)

            A one- liter water bottle or equivalent hydration system

            Emergency whistle

            Pocket knife, preferably a multi-tool

            Map and compass (PLAY can supply maps on request)

            High-energy bars or snacks

            Personal toiletries

            Synthetic long underwear, tops and bottoms

            An extra pair of underwear and two extra pair of socks

            Ski gloves and extra pair of lighter gloves or mittens

                 with a waterproof shell

            Polar fleece or down jacket

            Synthetic or wool long sleeved shirt

            Wool, Polar fleece, or synthetic pants

            Polar fleece, or wool hat

            Breathable windproof/waterproof shell jacket with hood

            Breathable windproof/waterproof shell pants

            Knee-high gaiters

            Hut slippers or down booties for wear in the hut

            Watch

            Personal and prescription medications.

GROUP:

    In addition to personal gear a group must have some items,

          which may be used in Common such as:

Plastic tarp or equivalent to provide emergency shelter

An avalanche shovel for digging an emergency shelter

Sunscreen lotion and lip block

  An expanded first aid kit to include the following:

   -Moleskin

   -Gauze roles (4-3inch rolls)

  -Chemical heat packs

  -2” first aid tape

  -Triangular bandages (3)

  -Sterile wound dressing (4x4’s)

  -Assortment of band-aids and butterfly closures

  -Antiseptic wound cleaner

  -Body thermometer and hypothermia thermometer

  -Latex gloves

  -Tweezers/scissor/nail clippers

  -Ace bandage

  -Sam splint

  -First aid book

Emergency repair kit to include:

  -Small role of duct tape

  -Multi-tool to repair ski bindings

  -Extra screws, etc. for binding repair

  -Sewing kit small

  -Nylon cord

  -Safety pins

  -Stick on nylon patches to repair jackets, etc.

  -Matches in waterproof container

  -Lighter and fire starter

Food and drink sufficient for group for full term of stay,

      plus one extra day of food

    In addition to these items a group expecting to ski or travel in avalanche terrain will need to have an avalanche beacon, a shovel and a collapsible  probe for each member of the group, and also the know how to effectively use this equipment in an emergency, i.e. having practiced with the equipment many times before the trip. Every group going into avalanche terrain should have at least two persons who have had avalanche training, preferably a certified level I Avalanche Course from a certified instructor and some experience in the backcountry prior to leading the group.