Tucked into a wind-sheltered glade deep in the Idaho backcountry, this yurt serves up exactly what a good winter hut trip should: hard-earned access, deep snow, dry gear, hot saunas, and the group bonding of sharing an open-faced outhouse.

Run by Sun Valley Trekking, the Pioneer Yurt sits just outside of Sun Valley, a short drive off the main road, followed by either a snowmobile tow (for the civilized) or a full-day skin in (for the stubborn or broke). It’s a long skin, steady uphill with no transitions, which sounds nice until you're four hours deep and still sweating through your second layer. But the payoff is worth it. We chose the snowmobile tow because the math worked out for our group.

The yurt sits in a small alpine bowl, nestled in trees just tight enough to break the wind, but open enough to let you glimpse the surrounding peaks that you'll maybe ski tomorrow, if the avy report stops yelling.

Inside, it’s everything a proper hut should be:

• Wood-burning stove and propane cook setup

• Bunk beds with space for eight (or more if you really like eachother)

• Drying lines for skins and gear

• Water jug, metal strainer, and topo maps pinned to the walls

But the real luxuries sit just beyond the yurt.

Amenity #1: The outhouse — wide open on one side for premium views while doing your business. On calm days, it’s oddly serene. On stormy ones? You’d better move quick or risk freezing mid-process. A humbling reminder that nature doesn’t care if you're mid-wipe.

Amenity #2: The sauna — a short walk through snow, and totally worth it. Our full crew of eight managed to pack in to the sauna, it’s a tight fit. After a day of touring in cold, high-risk conditions, that sauna was the best place to be. Jumping in the snowbank right outside is highly recommended.

We were chasing powder, but extreme avalanche conditions had other plans. Still, the terrain around the yurt offered up mellow lines, low-angle trees, and enough safe skiing to keep everyone happy. Plus, spending a few extra hours sipping broth, playing cards, and watching steam rise off your ski partners isn't the worst way to wait out a red flag. We ended up calling our adventure “Low Angle Love” - you can probably guess why.

Additional information and booking can be found HERE on SVT’s website.