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Lots of wood for heating! Woodstock this spring was a huge success! We want to thank everyone who came out to join us and help take care of Manitoba, whether you are a Huts veteran or new to our community! If you have never been before, Woodstock is our twice-yearly volunteer event to take care…

Hey Hut People! One of the most frequent questions that we get asked is “Why are you Alaska Huts (plural) if you only operate one Hut?” We’d like to provide an answer to that, and to provide some resources to help you plan your next backcountry cabin or Hut trip! First off, Alaska Huts is…

Here in Alaska, the seasonal transition is easy. Decreasing daylight, fall foliage and termination dust on the mountain tops. Before long, the snow levels make their way down the mountain and as weather patterns move in conditions shape up for our favorite winter recreations. Whether you enjoy snowmachining, backcountry touring, split boarding, snow biking, cross…

The Alaska Huts Association mission statement is “To build and maintain backcountry lodgings that promote camaraderie, stewardship, outdoor education and Alaska’s cultural heritage.” Workshops, which we have not had for a few years, are one of the ways that we promote these values. In August 2022, we had our first workshop since before COVID, one that fulfilled all of the facets of our mission. The Fungi Festival, led by UAA Professor Philippe Amstislavski, saw 16 people and two dogs coming together to learn about Mycology (the study of mushrooms). Over two days, the participants spent time together learning about fungi, their biology, how to correctly identify them, and even a few recipes to boot. That evening, they gathered together the harvest, and fried everything up, trying the mushrooms in a few different recipes. They also got to experience one of…

Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center’s 2022 Junior Team Camp at the Manitoba Cabin and Yurts was hugely successful.  24 COVID-free kids eagerly loaded the vans at the start of a challenging and rugged week and proved that their spirit and tenacity would prevail with a smile. There are few places as great of an…

Hey everyone! This month’s blog comes from the folks over at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. You can view the recent Observations and reports from Manitoba here. Get the forecast! Photo- Mollie Foster We have reached the time of year where the snow is starting to make the transition from a dry, winter…

In all honesty, I have never been to the Manitoba Hut. I moved to Alaska in 2014 to cross-country ski race, and outside of the COVID winter of 2020-21, I rarely spent more than a couple weeks scattered here and there in Alaska during the winter. I’ve heard stories of gorgeous backcountry spring days, beautiful…

I love this time of year – we’re sandwiched in that perfect spot between the cozy darkness of winter and the promise of March and all its sunny, snowy, joyful glory. We’ve done the longest, hardest stretch of winter. We just have one more little push, and before we know it the days will be…

Have you had the experience of following a well-set skin track in the backcountry? One that someone else broke in, that leads to your drop in point where there are beautiful curvy tracks already leading the way down? I love it when this happens because it eases some of the sweat & effort to climb…

Alaska Huts is not the only backcountry hut operator in Alaska, and this month we have an insight into one of our sister organizations, the Mountaineering Club of Alaska. The MCA operates huts on glacier traverses, like the Eklutna Traverse, but their support system is much the same. Enjoy! The MCA backcountry hut system is…

September is drawing to a close and the termination dust is inching further down the mountains. We’re entering another season, and Alaska Huts is taking this time to reflect on a summer well spent. For Alaska Huts, this summer has been an exciting time, starting off with a $150,000 grant from the Atwood Foundation for…

Mid-August usually means the advent of autumn here in Alaska. One of the best parts of our long transition from summer to winter is the opportunity to fill our freezers with delicious treats to hold us over until next summer. That’s right–I’m talking about berries! Photo–Caroline Brisbois Alaska has a number of edible berries. The…