Already have a reservation at the huts? Looking to just hire a guide for your dates? Check out Frog Lake Huts - Private Guiding.
Frog Lake Huts
The Frog Lake Huts in Truckee access some of the best backcountry skiing terrain in North Lake Tahoe. Beyond amazing skiing, the huts are equipped with creature comforts that make sleeping deep in the backcountry an absolute pleasure. Easily the most comfortable backcountry "huts" in California, the Frog Lake Huts include comfortable beds, running water, bathrooms, drying rooms and a communal cooking and dining area. The huts make overnighting in the backcountry a pure pleasure!
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear
The Frog Lake Huts provide incredible access to North Lake Tahoe's most impressive terrain and comfortable respite from winter nights. With European-inspired design, the guest cabins provide options from 8 person "luxury-dormitories" to double occupancy rooms. The cabins are propane heated with thermostat controls in each room and offer running water and flush toilets. A separate building, the Eshenbach House, houses a commercial kitchen with stoves, ovens, a griddle, and refrigerator and freezer space for guests as well as a massive dining room, games room and loft.
Rockwood Hut
Sleeps 8 in 2 separate rooms
A duplex with each unit sleeping 4 and a shared bathroom between the two units.
Ted R Hut
Sleeps 8 in a "luxury-dorm" group space
A large group hut which includes a private bathroom.
Amenities at the Frog Lake Huts
Each Guest Hut is Equipped With:
- Thermostat controlled propane heat to keep your hut warm and toasty.
- Ample LED lighting - lets you keep your headlamp in your pack!
- Drying racks for boots, clothes and skins.
- AC Wall outlets and USB Ports for phone charging.
- Drinkable, running water and a flush toilet.
The Eschenbach House (Common Area) Includes:
- A full commercial kitchen equipped with a wide range of cookware, common cooking oils and spices, cooking utensils, plates, cups, silverware and even glass wine glasses!
- A large dining room with a wood fireplace (operated by the hut keeper).
- A cozy map and games room with a separate fireplace.
- A loft to stretch, use a foam roller or socialize away from the main group.
- Separate quarters for Guides and Hut Keepers.
Daily Objectives
- Our guides will find the best terrain and snow for our group each day, based on weather and snow conditions. We'll set our sights on runs on Horse Peak, Perry's Peak, Tadpole Peak, Red Mountain, Frog Lake Cliff and more!
- After skiing, you'll relax and enjoy delicious meals prepared by our guides
- Socialize with great people and live the backcountry hut life!
Here's the schedule for your trip:
- Day 1 - Arrival & Tour to the Huts - Meet at the trailhead at 8:30am to discuss the plan for the day, before touring to the huts. Upon arrival we'll unpack our small overnight kits and get out for a tour before dinner. After we've had our fill of riding for the day, we'll settle back into the huts and prepare for dinner. Dinners are deluxe meals prepared by our guides.
- Day 2 - Ski Touring from the Huts - We'll get an early start on the day, with a hot breakfast, fresh coffee, and tea. Next, we'll prepare food for the day before gearing up and heading out to explore the Frog Lake area. We'll spend full days ski touring, covering roughly 3,000-5,000' vertical each day with lunch eaten in the field. After skiing to our hearts content, we'll regroup at the huts, set our gear out to dry and prepare for dinner.
- Days 3 & 4 - Ski Touring from the Hut / Departure Depending on the length of your trip (3 days or 4 days), we'll either spend another full day skiing and riding, or we'll pack up and get a few laps in before head back to the trailhead by 3pm.
The terrain at the Frog Lake Huts ranges from intermediate to expert level riding. Generally our guides are able to find excellent backcountry snow conditions, but often we need to travel through difficult conditions to access the goods. This requires riders to be adept with their backcountry touring skills and have a solid foundation of touring before the trip.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- Advanced Resort Riding Skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.
- Intermediate Backcountry Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days spent in the backcountry.
- Moderate Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 4-6 miles and climb 1,500-2,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Modern, comfortable sleeping accommodations in the tradition of European backcountry huts
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide with local knowledge of the Frog Lake Huts Terrain
- Deluxe breakfasts and dinners prepared by your guide. Guests provide their own lunch and snacks.
- Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski & Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear - beacon, shovel, probe
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Alcohol - Please bring your own beverages
- Guide Gratuities
Frog Lake Huts Gear List (Download Here)
- Avalanche Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Ski & Splitboard Touring Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Tahoe Sports Hub - use code BLACKBIRD10 for 10% off at checkout.
Know Before you go
Price/Person
$1,495.00
Private Programs
Duration: 3-4 Days
View Full Itinerary
Private Programs
Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.
Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.
Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.
Full Itinerary
The Frog Lake Huts operate on a fixed weekly schedule for the season. Trips run throughout the winter as follows:
Sunday through Tuesday
Tuesday through Thursday
Thursday through Sunday
Friday through Monday
For example, if you book a weekend option, you arrive on Thursday and spend Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at the hut before leaving on Sunday.
Day 1 (Arrival & touring): Tour to the huts, enjoying fun skinning and riding along the way. Upon arrival we'll unpack our small overnight kits and get out for a tour before dinner. After we've had our fill of riding for the day, we'll settle back into the huts and prepare for dinner. Dinners are deluxe meals prepared by our guides.
Day 2 (Ski touring from the hut): We'll get an early start on the day, having a hot breakfast with fresh coffee and tea and prepare snacks for the day before suiting up and heading out for a day of exploring the Frog Lake area. The backcountry holds numerous options and based on fitness and capabilities of your group, we can range far and wide to find the best snow and explore new terrain. After skiing to our hearts content, we'll regroup at the huts, set our gear out to dry and prepare for dinner.
Day 3(Ski touring from the hut)/ Day 4(Departure and short tour): Depending on the length of your trip (3 days or 4 days), we'll either be up for another day of skiing and riding, or we'll pack up and head back to the trailhead.
The Frog Lake Huts provide incredible access to North Lake Tahoe's most impressive terrain and comfortable respite from winter nights. With European-inspired design, the guest cabins provide options from 8 person "luxury-dormitories" to double occupancy rooms. The cabins are propane heated with thermostat controls in each room and offer running water and flush toilets. A separate building, the Eshenbach House, houses a commercial kitchen with stoves, ovens, a griddle, and refrigerator and freezer space for guests as well as a massive dining room, games room and loft.
Rockwood Hut
Sleeps 8 in 2 separate rooms
A duplex with each unit sleeping 4 and a shared bathroom between the two units.
Ted R Hut
Sleeps 8 in a "luxury-dorm" group space
A large group hut which includes a private bathroom.
Amenities at the Frog Lake Huts
Each Guest Hut is Equipped With:
- Thermostat controlled propane heat to keep your hut warm and toasty.
- Ample LED lighting - lets you keep your headlamp in your pack!
- Drying racks for boots, clothes and skins.
- AC Wall outlets and USB Ports for phone charging.
- Drinkable, running water and a flush toilet.
The Eschenbach House (Common Area) Includes:
- A full commercial kitchen equipped with a wide range of cookware, common cooking oils and spices, cooking utensils, plates, cups, silverware and even glass wine glasses!
- A large dining room with a wood fireplace (operated by the hut keeper).
- A cozy map and games room with a separate fireplace.
- A loft to stretch, use a foam roller or socialize away from the main group.
- Separate quarters for Guides and Hut Keepers.
Daily Objectives
- Our guides will find the best terrain and snow for our group each day, based on weather and snow conditions. We'll set our sights on runs on Horse Peak, Perry's Peak, Tadpole Peak, Red Mountain, Frog Lake Cliff and more!
- After skiing, you'll relax and enjoy delicious meals prepared by our guides
- Socialize with great people and live the backcountry hut life!
Here's the schedule for your trip:
- Day 1 - Arrival & Tour to the Huts - Meet at the trailhead at 8:30am to discuss the plan for the day, before touring to the huts. Upon arrival we'll unpack our small overnight kits and get out for a tour before dinner. After we've had our fill of riding for the day, we'll settle back into the huts and prepare for dinner. Dinners are deluxe meals prepared by our guides.
- Day 2 - Ski Touring from the Huts - We'll get an early start on the day, with a hot breakfast, fresh coffee, and tea. Next, we'll prepare food for the day before gearing up and heading out to explore the Frog Lake area. We'll spend full days ski touring, covering roughly 3,000-5,000' vertical each day with lunch eaten in the field. After skiing to our hearts content, we'll regroup at the huts, set our gear out to dry and prepare for dinner.
- Days 3 & 4 - Ski Touring from the Hut / Departure Depending on the length of your trip (3 days or 4 days), we'll either spend another full day skiing and riding, or we'll pack up and get a few laps in before head back to the trailhead by 3pm.
The terrain at the Frog Lake Huts ranges from intermediate to expert level riding. Generally our guides are able to find excellent backcountry snow conditions, but often we need to travel through difficult conditions to access the goods. This requires riders to be adept with their backcountry touring skills and have a solid foundation of touring before the trip.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- Advanced Resort Riding Skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.
- Intermediate Backcountry Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days spent in the backcountry.
- Moderate Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 4-6 miles and climb 1,500-2,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Modern, comfortable sleeping accommodations in the tradition of European backcountry huts
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide with local knowledge of the Frog Lake Huts Terrain
- Deluxe breakfasts and dinners prepared by your guide. Guests provide their own lunch and snacks.
- Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski & Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear - beacon, shovel, probe
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Alcohol - Please bring your own beverages
- Guide Gratuities
Frog Lake Huts Gear List (Download Here)
- Avalanche Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Ski & Splitboard Touring Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Tahoe Sports Hub - use code BLACKBIRD10 for 10% off at checkout.
Backcountry skiers and splitboarders ascending Horse Peak in the Frog Lake Backcountry with a guide.
A backcountry skier skinning in to the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee.
A backcountry skier skinning up to Perry's Peak in the Frog Lake Backcountry with a guide.
The Eschenbach backcountry house is where the communal dining room and commercial kitchen for the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee are located. This building was recently renovated and boasts solar power and flush toilets!
The Frog Lake Cliff in mid winter above the Frog Lake Huts
A backcountry skier pointing out ski lines at the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee
A backcountry skier pointing out ski lines at the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee
The corniced face of Frog Lake Cliff above a frozen lake and the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee, California.
A backcountry skier enjoying powder skiing at the Frog Lake Huts in Truckee.
The Frog Lake Huts in Truckee are equipped with gas stoves, flush toilets and running water. They're the most comfortable backcountry ski huts in California!
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
6 reviews
- Rated 5 out of 5 starsBlown away by their knowledge of the terrain & conditions!
The most important thing for a trip like this is going with someone knowledgeable and experience. I give them 10/10. I have done 2 trips with BBMG, and I am blown away by their level of knowledge of the terrain and conditions. They are also great to be with. They are incredibly patient and helpful and make being outside with them enjoyable. They are also fun to spend time with around the fire at the end of the day. I couldn't recommend them more highly.
Matthew G. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsThe best in the business!
Blackbird organized an EPIC hut trip to IceFall Lodge in BC this past January. Expectations were high and they more than delivered. It turned out to be a bucket list experience. Blackbird's planning, coordination and organization were spot on. Our guides navigated challenging snow conditions, keeping us safe, but still enabling us to ski epic terrain in an amazing backcountry environment. I've used Blackbird in the past and will continue to use them for backcountry skiing experiences. The best in the business. Thanks Zeb!
Greg F. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsYou won't regret a trip to Frog Lake w/ Blackbird!
A Fantastic Climb! Blackbird Mountain Guides is outstanding guide company. I had the opportunity to climb with Zeb Blais where we summited (along with two others) Forbidden Peak in the North Cascade mountain range in Washington. It was a challenging climb but well worth it. Zeb is a professional. His knowledge and calm demeanor made for a rewarding and memorable experience. One of things I like best about Blackbird is the communication. Zeb emphasized safety, training and having fun. If you're looking for a solid guide company, look no further. I can't recommend Zeb and Blackbird highly enough.
Jeremy R. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsFrog lake
They were great, some of the nicest backcountry huts we’ve stayed in
Thomas S.Verified Buyer
the blackbird difference
Innovative courses
Professional Guides
Positive Progression
Community Focused
ongoing support
Got Questions?
We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!