Alpine Yurt

Search terms Alpine Yurt rental lodging sleeps ten Swan Mountains ski hut

Elevation: 6,800'

24' insulated yurt with woodstove, kitchen, 2 full-over-full bunk beds, and 2 futon couches. Sleeps up to 10 with plenty of room to hang out.

$550 / night

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Book the Alpine Yurt

Begin your trip on any green date and end on any following green date, or the next red date.
Check-in / check-out is 12:00 p.m. at the Yurt.

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Lupine Yurt

Search terms Lupine Yurt rental lodging sleeps eight Swan Mountains ski hut

Elevation: 6,600'

20' insulated yurt with woodstove, kitchen, and 2 full-over-full bunk beds. Sleeps up to 8.

$500 / night

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Book the Lupine Yurt

Begin your trip on any green date and end on any following green date, or the next red date.
Check-in / check-out is 12:00 p.m. at the Yurt.

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Getting to the Yurts

Search terms YurtSki directions trailhead access gear haul snowmobile tow transportation

The Lupine and Alpine Yurts are 11 miles from the trailhead: 5 miles along the groomed Cottonwood Lakes road, then 6 miles gaining 2,000 feet up the un-groomed Morrell Mountain Road.

The parking lot and trailhead are at 47.1214, -113.3180, roughly a quarter mile past Rich's Montana Guest Ranch on Cottonwood Lakes Road. Look for the white cargo trailer and the plowed parking pocket—please carpool when you can because space is limited.

Our optional Gear Haul service will tow both you and your gear all the way to the yurts. Gear hauls are both directions, so we'll haul you and your gear back out to your cars at the end of the trip.

Gear Haul Price: $1300

Trailhead to Yurts PDF

Trailhead to Yurts

Geo-referenced PDF

Your Trip

Search terms YurtSki amenities kitchen beds woodstove packing inventory food water

Each yurt has a wood-burning stove with plenty of firewood stacked in a nearby woodshed. A compact solar system powers LED lights. Kitchens include propane stoves, pots, pans, utensils, plates, bowls, mugs, and cups. The bunk beds have full-size mattresses that can comfortably fit 2 adults. Find more details below.

Preparing for your Trip

Gear Haul & Approach

It's an 11-mile journey: five miles of groomed road plus six miles and 2,000 vertical feet up Morrell Mountain Road.

If you have your own snowmobiles, feel free to use them. Our machines are set up to tow large toboggans and guests, and many snowmobile-owning clients still book a gear haul so they can spend more time skiing and less time managing sled logistics.

We've had many clients ski to the yurts, but we don't know many that have skied in twice.

Avalanche Gear

The Swan Mountains are avalanche country. Every guest needs a beacon, shovel, probe, and the knowledge of how to use this equipment.

Packing

The yurts have a fully stocked kitchen and mattresses on the bunks. You provide the rest.

Yurt inventory

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)

Print YurtSki Inventory

Packing list

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

Print YurtSki Packing List

No Pets

Please leave your four-legged friends at home. We are concerned about sanitation of the yurts, and the long snowmobile approach is extremely hard on dogs.

Life at the Yurts

Heat, Power, & Lights

The yurts are heated by woodstoves and include both roof and wall insulation to keep the heat inside.

There are LED lights connected to a small solar setup for evening illumination. You can also charge your devices via USB; please bring your own cord.

Backup propane lanterns are available and can be helpful in the kitchen area at night.

Cooking and Food Storage

Each yurt has a propane kitchen setup plus cookware, dishware, and utensils, so you only need to bring ingredients and snacks.

Bear-resistant food boxes are on-site (mandatory in December and March).

Water

A mountain spring between Lupine and Alpine delivers cold, clean water. Treat or boil it if you prefer—gear hauls start you off with full jugs.

Outhouses & Woodsheds

Each yurt has a three-sided outhouse a short walk away. Outhouses include toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Woodsheds are stocked for the whole season with dry, stacked rounds that need to be split. Please only use this wood for the woodstove and refrain from any outside fires.

Leaving the Yurts

Check-in/check-out is at noon

If you plan to ski on your last day (you should!), please ensure the yurt is clean and stack your gear outside so the incoming group can move in at noon.

Please leave the yurts just as you found them, ready for the next group. You can find a checklist of yurt chores at the yurt.