Frequently Asked Questions
About Us
Co-owners Kyle Perkins, Jennings Anderson, & Brad Maddock (left-to-right) have been skiing together for more than 15 years. Their first YurtSki trip was in 2012, and after years of chasing similar terrain and snow around Montana, they kept coming back to the same conclusion: it does not get much better.
They purchased YurtSki from Carl Sievers and Adam Simon in 2018. In 2019, they built the Big Belt Hut to open up more of the Big Belt Mountains closer to their home in Helena, MT.
Location Comparison
We've put together the following tables for a quick comparison of the amenities and activities available at each of our locations to help you plan your next trip.
| Feature | Alpine Yurt | Lupine Yurt | Big Belt Hut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Southern Swan Range | Southern Swan Range | Big Belt Mountains |
| Size | 24' Yurt | 20' Yurt | 40' longhouse yurt |
| # Beds | 2 full-size bunk beds + 2 futons | 2 full-size bunk beds | 3 full-size bunk beds + 2 twin bunk beds |
| Sleeps | 10 | 8 | 15 |
| Miles in via snowmobile | 10 miles | 9 miles | 7 miles snowmobile + 3 mile ski |
| Miles in (ski only) | 8 miles | 7 miles | 10 miles |
| Summer Access | No | No | Yes! 1 mile with 4x4 or 3 mile hike (2wd) |
| Wood Burning Sauna | No | No | Oh Yeah! |
Booking Cancellation Policy
Montana Backcountry Yurts requires a 50% nonrefundable deposit at the time of booking. You can choose to use the “Pay Now” in your invoice to pay the remaining 50% any time before your trip. We will charge any outstanding balance to your credit card 30 days prior to your trip. If booking less than 30 days in advance, we require you to pay in full.
You can cancel your trip up to 30 days prior to your start date online at yurtski.checkfront.com, by email: info@montanabackcountryyurts.com, or by phone: (406) 848-4232. Your deposit will not be refunded, but we will not charge you the remaining balance.
Trips canceled less than 30 days prior to the start date are still required to be paid in full and are nonrefundable.
Questions about our cancellation policy? Contact us at info@montanabackcountryyurts.com or (406) 848-4232.
Gift Certificates
Catering Options
Fully Catered
We partner with local restaurants to provide meals for all of our yurt-based courses.
For private trips, we can help organize a similar option for about $125 per person per day. Please call to discuss options, and note that a gear haul is required.
How to add Catering
Courses can add catering at check-out. Private trips should call us to arrange meals. A gear haul is required, and we will pack and deliver the food with your gear.
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What's Included – Yurt & Hut Inventories
Alpine and Lupine yurts
Yurt Supplies
Kitchen
- 3 burner propane stove top with plenty of propane.
- Stainless steel and cast iron cookware
- Pots and pans with lids
- Stainless steel 24 cup coffee percolator
- Pour over coffee dripper and filters
- Stainless steel colander
- Stainless steel mixing bowls
- Plates, Bowls, Cups, Coffee/Tea Mugs
- Forks, Knives, Spoons
- Sharp cutting knives
- Cutting Boards
- Cooking utensils (flipper, spoons, ladle, spatual, tongs, grater)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can Opener
- Wine Opener
- Empty Water Jugs
- Bins for washing dishes, soap and sponges
- Salt, Pepper
- Trash Can
- toilet paper
- trash bags
- paper towels
- 1lb propane canisters for lanterns (if solar is not working)
- Dry-box for food storage
Sleeping
- Alpine Yurt: 4 full size memory foam mattresses with sheets (2 sets of bunks) + 2 futon couches
- Lupine Yurt: 4 full size memory foam mattresses with sheets (2 sets of bunks)
Other
- Goal Zero Yeti system with lighting and solar panel
- During the winter, short days, lack of sunshine, and cold temps often prevent the goal zero from charging. Please use only for lighting and bring battery banks if you are looking to charge phones and other electronics
- Propane lantern for lighting (when Goal Zero is not working) with extra mantels
- Wood Burning Stove and firewood
- Splitting Maul and axes
- Snow shovels
- Latrine
NOT PROVIDED: first aid kit, repair kit, PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)
Big Belt Hut
Big Belt Hut Inventory
Kitchen
- 3 burner propane Camp Chef stove top with plenty of propane.
- Stainless steel and cast iron cookware
- Pots and pans with lids
- Stainless steel 24 cup coffee percolator
- Pour over coffee dripper and filters
- Stainless steel colander
- Stainless steel mixing bowls
- Plates, Bowls, Cups, Coffee/Tea Mugs
- Forks, Knives, Spoons
- Sharp cutting knives
- Cutting Boards
- Cooking utensils (flipper, spoons, ladle, spatual, tongs, grater)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can Opener
- Wine Opener
- Empty Water Jugs
- Bins for washing dishes, soap and sponges
- Trash Can
- Dish rags
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- trash bags,
- NOT PROVIDED: first aid kit, repair kit, PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)
Sleeping
- 6 full size memory foam mattresses 4 twin memory foam mattresses (3 sets of full size bunks, 2 sets of twin bunks)
Other
- Goal Zero Yeti system with lighting and solar panel
- During the winter, short days, lack of sunshine, and cold temps often prevent the goal zero from charging. Please use only for lighting and bring battery banks if you are looking to charge phones and other electronics
- Propane lantern for lighting (when Goal Zero is not working) with extra mantels
- Wood Burning Stove and firewood
- Splitting Maul and hatchet
- Snow shovels
- Latrine + Toilet Paper
- Propane canisters are available for lighting if the battery is drained.
- Steel Bear Box located next to the stairs onto the deck. The combination for the bear box is the same as the hut.
- Cooler (35 qts)
- Will be locked inside of the bear box, please return it to the bear box when you leave.
Packing Lists
Alpine and Lupine yurts
Gear Checklist
Packing List
- Day Pack and Duffle Bag – Most parties choose to either have Yurt Ski provide the gear haul/people tow to the yurts or do it on their own. If you are using snowmobiles and big gear trailers to get to the hut (Yurt Ski booked haul) we recommend keeping all of your day equipment with you (including all avalanche gear, food/water for the day, and layers) in a small day pack and keeping the rest of your belongings in a water resistant duffle bag to go in the snowmobile trailer. If you and your party instead chooses to ski the roughly 10 miles the yurts, you will want a backpack large enough to carry all of the below items.
- Digital Transceiver (Beacon)
- Shovel
- Probe
- Skins
- Puffy Layer
- Waterproof Shell
- Sunglasses and Goggles
- 2 Hats
- Scarf/Buff
- 2 pairs of Gloves
- Extra layers
- Sunscreen
- Extra Batteries
- Head Lamp
- Water Bottle
- Sleeping bag – Suggestion: rated Zero degrees or colder
- Skis/splitboard – functioning bindings with all parts accounted for before leaving
- Ski/snowboard Boots
- Ski Poles
- Clothes to sleep in
- Yurt Slippers/ boots – the outhouse is a 50’ snowy walk from the front door.
- Big Puffy Layer
- 2 pair Long Underwear bottoms
- 2 Long underwear Tops
- Mid-weight top
- 2 pair underwear/bras
- 3 pairs of socks
- Ski Pants
- Personal Toiletries – Including all personal medications needed for the duration of the trip
- Your Food:
- Cooler - We recommend bringing a cooler for both packing and storage at the yurt.
- Kitchen Rags/Towels - We have paper towels, but recommend you bring your own rags / kitchen towels
Optional
- Small Thermos
- Chemical toe/hand warmers
- Camera
- Cell Phone
- Battery Charger Pack- To preserve the Goal Zero Battery for the lights
- Ear plugs for sleeping
Group Supplies
- Multi-Tool
- First Aid Kit
- Snow Science Kit
- Personal Locator Beacon For Emergencies
Big Belt Hut, winter
Winter Gear Checklist
Note: Getting to the Big Belt Hut requires a 3 mile ski with 1000’ vertical gain. Although an easy summer trek, depending on winter conditions the ski could take anywhere from 2-3+ hours. Please remember to pack light to make the trip into the hut more enjoyable. The tour in has very few sidehills and pulling a well designed pulk/sled with some or all of your gear is also a viable option!
Packing List
- Large Overnight Backpack – Large enough for all your equipment and overnight gear (approx. 45-70L volume). If you are willing to carry the extra weight, an additional smaller day pack for touring once we have arrived at the hut can be nice. Often we find that a medium sized pack that is good for both, can keep you from packing too many non-essentials while also working great for both the trip in and for day tours around the hut.
- Digital Transceiver (Beacon)
- Shovel
- Probe
- Skins
- Puffy Layer
- Waterproof Shell
- Sunglasses and Goggles
- 2 Hats
- Scarf/Buff
- 2 pairs of Gloves
- Extra layers
- Sunscreen
- Extra Batteries
- Head Lamp
- Water Bottle
- Sleeping bag – Suggestion: rated Zero degrees or colder
- Skis/splitboard – functioning bindings with all parts accounted for before leaving
- Ski/snowboard Boots
- Ski Poles
- Clothes to sleep in
- Yurt Slippers
- Big Puffy Layer
- 2 pair Long Underwear bottoms
- 2 Long underwear Tops
- Mid-weight top
- 2 pair underwear/bras
- 3 pairs of socks
- Ski Pants
- Personal Toiletries – Including all personal medications needed for the duration of the trip
- Food
- Extra Snack Food and Specialty Foods
Optional
- Small Thermos
- Chemical toe/hand warmers
- Camera
- Cell Phone
- Small Battery Charger Pack- To preserve the Goal Zero Battery for the lights
- Essential Oils for the Sauna- Eucalyptus, Citrus, & Birch are good ones
Group Supplies
- Multi-Tool
- First Aid Kit
- Snow Science Kit
- Fire starting capabilities (multiple lighters, matches, paper)
- Trash Bags
- Personal Locator Beacon For Emergencies
- Cell Phone service can generally be good enough at the hut to call for help, but is not guaranteed to work!
Big Belt Hut, summer
Summer Gear Checklist
Getting into the big belt hut requires either a 3 mile hike with 1000’ vertical gain up Trail 151 (a beautiful, straightforward hike) or a 1 mile hike and 500’ vertical gain on a road if your vehicle can make it up the 4x4 road to the communication tower (need high clearance + 4x4)
Packing List
- Medium to Large Backpack – Large enough for all your equipment and overnight gear (approx. 45-70L volume). If you are willing to carry the extra weight, an additional smaller day pack for hiking around the hut can be nice. Often we find that a medium sized pack that is good for both, can keep you from packing too many non-essentials while also working great for both the trip in and for day outings around the hut.
- Light Puffy / Warm Layer – It can cool down at night and you’ll want to be able to sit out on the deck and enjoy the evening.
- Waterproof Layer
- Sunglasses
- Sun Hat/Ball Cap
- Sunscreen
- Extra Batteries
- Head Lamp
- Water Bottle
- Bear Spray
- Hiking Pants/Shorts
- Hiking Boots or good sneakers/running shoes
- Hiking Socks – A thicker pair of wool or synthetic socks can make a big difference in blisters and comfort when hiking, especially with a heavier load than normal.
- Light shirt or tee shirt
- Warm shirt
- Sleeping bag – A lightweight bag is adequate for Summer. Consider a warmer bag / extra sleeping layers in late summer/fall when the evenings are much cooler.
- Personal Toiletries – Including all personal medications needed for the duration of the trip
- Extra Snack Food and Specialty Foods
Optional
- Camera
- Cell Phone
- Fishing Supplies
Group Supplies
- Food
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- Cooking Oil + Spices (Salt + Pepper) (Please do not leave/stock any of these supplies in the summer months)
- Water Filter/Treatment
- Multi-Tool
- First Aid Kit
- Personal Locator Beacon For Emergencies
Cell Phone service can generally be good enough at the hut to call for help, but is not guaranteed to work!