Opus Hut

Stacking tracks in a glad above the Opus Hut, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

Last month I got an opportunity to head down south and spend 2 nights at the Opus Hut near Ophir Pass. It was sort of a last-minute invite that I was able to say yes to on a whim, and it turned into an awesome weekend of powder skiing and hut time with a great crew. Sometimes it’s really nice when a spontaneous plan comes together.

On the approach to the hut after the long drive south over Red Mountain Pass.

The Opus Hut sits at 11,765 ft just to the east of Ophir Pass. It was built by Ophir resident Bob Kingsley, a master timber framer, between 2006 and 2011 after he bought the parcel of land the hut sits on. Opus was designed to mirror more of the European hut experience, with a full-time kitchen staff that prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner for guests. Opus also boasts amenities like running water, electrical outlets for charging devices, and a woodfire sauna adjacent to the hut, among other things.

Lookout Peak (13,669 ft) towering above the approach route. It was cool to get back into this area again in winter.

Parker, Michelle, Rob and I pulled in to the hut at sunset after a 90 minute approach, just in time for soup hour. After meeting the rest of the crew who had skinned in earlier in the day, it was time for an evening sauna session followed by dinner. The views off the front porch of the hut are pretty incredible – 280 degrees of San Juan ruggedness blanketed in a coating of fresh snow.

The sauna, about a 50 yard walk from the hut.

And the kitchen/mess area. Opus was the first eco lodge in Colorado to obtain a liquor license and indeed, it has a full-service bar and bartender to go along with the rest of the dining accomodations.

But perhaps what’s most impressive about the Opus Hut is the ski terrain accessible right off the front porch. From low-angle glades near tree line to steep bowls and couloirs dropping down off the high peaks, it feels like there’s a lifetime of skiing to be had just in this small corner of the San Juans. From Lookout Peak to South Lookout Peak, Paradise Basin across the way, and lines off “V 5” and the ridgelines adjacent, not to mention the pass itself, suffice it to say there’s a lot to ski. On this trip we wound up keeping things mellow, but with a well-timed storm that caked the zone less than 24 hours prior, the skiing was great.

Good morning from the Opus Hut.

The hut’s exterior, looking south.

After planning out the day over breakfast, it was time to go skiing. We started off with the low-hanging fruit terrain immediately south of the hut. The weather was perfect and the snow untracked, we knew we were in for a full day of skiing…

Parker on some southerly-facing terrain above the hut later in the morning.

Rob getting the goods after we toured further up towards the pass after lunch.

On the skin back up for another lap.

Nearing the top.

It’s almost time for afternoon soup hour, but not before one last lap.

Our work here is done.

We did a pretty good job of stacking our runs and changing up the aspect as the sun swung around the valley to find optimal conditions throughout the day. It was fun to explore some of the nooks and crannies of the zone, not to mention finally getting to ski some decent snow. And of course when it came time to call it a day and head back to the hut, we were greeted with warm soup and drinks around the fire. A tough apres lineup to beat.

Parker and MIchelle in the sauna later on.

“V 5” (13,164 ft) seen out the window the next morning.

Out for one last lap before packing up and skiing out.

All in all Opus is a unique experience and the closest thing to a Euro-style hut stay you’ll find in Colorado. Catch the timing right and the skiing is nearly guaranteed to be incredible too. I have no doubt we’ll be back. Until next time, Opus Hut…