The Frog Lake Huts in Truckee have opened! Check out our new blog post with current pictures and descriptions of the new huts!
The Frog Lake Huts are a series of backcountry-skier-designed, European alps influenced huts that have significantly raised the bar for backcountry lodging in Tahoe. Situated on the east side of Castle Peak, the Frog Lake huts provide easy access to some of the best skiing in the Tahoe backcountry. You’ll ski untracked runs in some of our favorite terrain including Red Mountain, Carpenter Ridge, and Frog Lake Cliffs.
The huts were designed, built, and managed by the Truckee Donner Land Trust with a focus on backcountry skiing and splitboarding. Offering a modern, comfortable option for overnight trips in the Tahoe backcountry, they most closely resemble huts in the French Alps. Without taking anything away from other local huts, Frog Lake is less about the camping and more about the riding!
Constructed in 2021, the huts host a variety of lodging options based on the group size and amenities you're looking for. Gas stoves, comfortable sleeping pads, solar powered LED lighting and device charging are incredible creature comforts, but the real game changer is the hot and cold running water and even flush toilets. And what backcountry-skier-designed hut would be complete without a drying area for skins, boots, and gear?
Each hut has a similar layout and was designed with the needs of skiers in mind, providing space for skis, gear, and drying wet boots and apparel. Here is the lowdown on the differences between the huts:
- Albert M Rockwood Hut: The Albert M. Rockwood Hut is a duplex with each unit sleeping 4 with a shared bath between the two units. Inside your hut, there are drying racks for boots, clothes and skins as well as ports for phone charging.
- Morgan Family Foundation Hut: The Morgan Family Foundation Hut is a duplex with each unit sleeping 2 with a shared bath between the two units. Inside your hut, there are drying racks for boots, clothes and skins as well as ports for phone charging.
- Ted R’s Hut: The Ted R’s Hut is the large group hut which can accommodate 8. Inside your hut, there is a private bathroom, drying racks for boots, clothes and skins as well as ports for phone charging. Maritime propane stove heaters keep your hut warm and toasty. LED lighting lets you keep your headlamp in your pack.
- Eschenbach Backcountry House: Originally built in the 1930s out of local granite, this beautiful hut serves as the communal space for the new backcountry huts with a full kitchen, a fireplace, sitting areas and a map room for planning out the next day’s adventure.
Sound like fun? Blackbird Mountain Guides is offering select dates for guided skiing and riding at the Frog Lake Huts this winter! We'll take care of the logistics and cooking, all you have to do is ski! Our trips come complete with après ski appetizers, and fresh cooked dinners and breakfasts. It's the perfect way to spend a few days exploring new lines and skiing fresh snow deep in the Tahoe backcountry!