Snowbird Hut

The Snowbird Hut is beautifully situated in the Talkeetna Mountains on the northern edge of the Snowbird Glacier. The GPS coordinates are: 61 degrees 51.506 North by 149 degrees 12.113 West. View a USGS map of the hut location.

Accessible from Archangel Valley near Hatcher Pass, the hut is a year round destination for backcountry skiers, climbers and adventurous hikers. The hut is open to the public at no cost. This hut is managed on an open basis and cannot be reserved in advance. There is no fee required to use this hut. This hut does not support commercial operations. 


Recreational Highlights:

  • The classic Talkeetna Hut-to-Hut Traverse with the MCA’s Mint and Bomber Huts.

  • Alpine peak bagging (Higher Spire, Lower Spire).

  • Multi-pitch rock routes on granite (Because it’s There Wall and Independence Buttress—check out the area map).

  • Backcountry skiing and touring.

  • Hiking, alpine scrambling and backpacking.

  • Incredible views and areas to explore and experience.

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Snowbird Hut FAQ

Welcome to the Snowbird Hut! This hut is provided to the community by the Alaska Section of the American Alpine Club. The was built and is maintained through private donations and volunteer labor. This fact sheet is provided to outline care of the Snowbird Hut.

Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the rules and the use of this facility. This hut is managed on an open basis and cannot be reserved in advance.  There is no fee required to use this hut. This hut does not support commercial operations.

The purpose of this facility is to provide shelter to backcountry users. Guests should expect to share the hut with respect and consideration for others. In addition, this hut encourages understanding and cooperation among multiple parties that wish to use it. If additional parties arrive during your stay, please make an effort to accommodate them.

This hut accommodates 6 – 12 people (2 dbl and 2 sngl bunks, 6 in the overflow loft).

Please follow these rules during your stay:

  1. Bring Kerosene for the heater if you want heat. No Diesel! No white gas. Diesel has been clogging the lines and control box. (Kerosene: 12 hrs on high heat =.48 gallon. Most of the time you will be running the heater on medium to low).

  2. Please use the racks outside to store your skis. Skis do not belong in the hut.

  3. Please do not leave your extra food or supplies in or under the hut. Food left behind attracts unwanted critters and extra gear becomes unnecessary clutter. This extra gear will be removed from the hut.

  4. The Coleman cooking stove and the lanterns use white gas or unleaded gas.

  5. Instructions are provided for the oil heater. Please see these instructions if you are not familiar with lighting oil heaters. They are posted by the heater and in the hut book. If the heater is not working please report this to us (email and contact info below).


Some gear is provided with the hut to make your stay more comfortable:

  1. Emergency sled and evacuation gear (under the hut).

  2. Snow melt pot for the top of the heater.

  3. Frying pan and cooking pot with lid.

  4. Coleman 2 burner cooking stove and 2 lanterns (white gas or unleaded).

  5. Spatula and cooking spoons.

  6. Water storage containers (please leave these empty in the winter when you vacate).

  7. First Aid Kit.

Please address maintenance or other concerns to the Alaska Section Co-Chairs Harry Hunt or Cindi Squire.

Donations for maintenance and support of the hut can be delivered to James or Cindi. Please contact them or donate online to the American Alpine Club (please indicate that your donation is to support the Snowbird Hut exclusively).

Like the Snowbird Hut on Facebook and provide us with feedback on the status of the hut and check in on the happenings.

Banner photo: AAC member Joe Stock