Hut of the Month – Benedict Huts – Fritz and Fabi

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Hut of the Month: Benedict Huts – Fritz and Fabi

In our ‘Hut of the Month’ series we are spotlighting a couple of the most historic huts within our own 10th Mountain Huts system: the Benedict Huts. In this case, we have not just one, but two huts to share with you, as the Benedict Huts site features two adjacent cabins – the Fritz Hut and the Fabi Hut – joined by a boardwalk in between and a shared outhouse (and a mighty fine one at that!) overlooking one of the most stunning views in the Rockies.

The Benedict Huts are nestled among the trees high above Aspen, at the edge of the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness, above the Hunter Creek Valley – truly one of the most beautiful and serene locations one could choose to spend a few nights in the woods.

A Remote Winter Wonderland

Sitting at 10,970 feet in elevation, the Benedict Huts are accessed from Aspen’s Hunter Creek Trailhead, via a 5.9-mile route that ascends roughly 2,900 feet through a range of wooded trails and open meadows. The route is relatively mellow, and a great low-angle option for skiers looking for conservative terrain. But there’s plenty of places to play and explore from the huts, among the area’s vast surrounding wilderness. For advanced ski tourers who enjoy a true route-finding challenge, the Benedict Huts also offer a rarely traveled link to the McNamara Hut via Hunter Creek and Bald Knob.

These beautifully crafted huts may be rented separately, or a large hut group can rent both to accommodate 16 people in total. The Fabi hut sleeps six, and is rented at a flat rate ($240) for the entire cabin. It features two single day-beds that double as couches, a double bed in the main room, and one bedroom with a double bed. Meanwhile, the Fritz Hut sleeps 10, and is rented by individual spaces, so it can sleep multiple parties. This hut features three small bedrooms with double beds, three single beds in the main room, and one daybed that doubles as a couch.

One extra special touch that visitors to the Fritz and Fabi huts can enjoy is hut slippers, sure to keep hut-goers’ feet warm and cozy during their stay.

A Legacy of Adventure 

Steeped in history, the Benedict Huts were built in 1997 to honor the late Fritz Benedict – the founder of the 10th Mountain Division Hut System – and his wife, Fabi. Fritz and a small group of fellow Aspenites first conceived of the hut system in the early 1980s, modeling their idea off of the European mountain refuges Fritz had seen while serving as a 10th Mountain Division trooper during World War II. Fritz brought his vision to life, laying the foundation for what has now become the premier hut system of the Colorado Rockies.

The Fritz and Fabi huts now stand in memory of the Benedicts and the adventurous spirit and community focus that they so readily shared, which have now come to define their legacy. We’re confident they’d love nothing more than to know that hut users are creating lifelong memories in the backcountry through their namesake huts, and we hope you head out there and do just that!