Benedict 100 • Aspen to Vail
February 16-21, 2026
Traverse the heart of Colorado’s central Rockies on skis from Aspen to Vail. Each winter, Paragon Guides leads this six-day, 100-mile backcountry tour that connects five 10th Mountain Division Huts. The tour honors WWII 10th Mountain Division veteran and hut system founder, Fritz Benedict, pictured below.
HISTORY: The inaugural Benedict 100 Tour allowed skiers commemorating the return of the World Ski Championships in 1989, to travel from Aspen to Vail by way of the 10th Mountain Division Huts. Ski legends, runners, and backcountry skiers relayed a special flag to honor the link between the 1950 and 1989 championships from the top of Aspen mountain, down through town, up the Hunter Frying Pan drainage, across the mountains to the Polar Star Inn, and finishing at the Beaver Creek resort. Since the inaugural tour, the route has been altered with the completion of additional huts on the eastern side of the hut system, allowing the tour to end in Vail Village.
Today’s route stops at every other hut connecting Aspen to Vail over 6 days. The mileage, elevation gains, and frequent, deep trail breaking make this route the most challenging on the system.
NOTE: Daily travel is 12-18 miles on backcountry skis with climbing skins. All participants are encouraged to prepare by training on skis with packs, to manage the demands of the Benedict 100. Any evacuation will be at the participant’s expense.
Winter
Scheduled Date or custom
Activity
Hut-to-hut Backcountry Skiing
Difficulty
Advanced only
starting at (USD):
$3,600 Base Fee
- Personal phone interviews
- Two or more guides
- Hut Hosts to prepare meals
- Hut & USFS Fees
- Dinners & breakfasts (Bring your own lunches)
- First Aid / Group Gear
- A limited amount of alcoholic beverages
The challenges of the Benedict 100 require prior skiing with our guides, or phone interviews with our senior guides to best determine your skills for the trip.
Itinerary
This trip demands a high level of fitness and skill, with long days in cold temperatures, pre-dawn starts, and trail breaking through variable snow conditions. Each hut is staffed by welcoming hosts who ensure a comfortable stay by keeping the fire going, providing plenty of water, and preparing hearty dinners and breakfasts. Since backcountry ski touring experience on telemark or AT gear is required, all participants are interviewed beforehand to ensure their skills and fitness meet the demands of the adventure.
History of the Tour
Since 1989 the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association has run the Benedict 100 tour and now partners with Paragon Guides and Aspen Alpine Guides who organize and guide the tour on alternating years. Paragon Guides was proud to be a part of this legacy for the 2015 season.
Potential trip participants are phone interviewed by our Senior Guide Staff to ensure the appropriate choice of this trip. Contact Paragon via phone or email to begin this process.
Day 1: Aspen to Margy’s Hut
The tour begins! Aspen to Margy’s Hut We will meet at the Upper Hunter Creek trailhead at 6am. The route will by-pass the MacNamara Hut ending at Margy’s Hut. 13 miles & 3600’ elevation gain.
Day 2: Margy’s Hut to Betty Bear Hut
Departing Margy’s Hut the route descends to the FryingPan valley then climbs moderately, ending with a steep 2 mile climb to the Betty Bear Hut. 15 miles & 2000’ elevation gain.
Day 3: Betty Bear Hut to Uncle Bud’s Hut
Departing the Betty Bear Hut the route climbs to Hagerman Pass (12,000’) and the Continental Divide. This “above treeline” section can be very challenging in windy or whiteout conditions. By-passing the Skinner Hut the route descends to Turquoise Lake. A gradual climb to the southern flank of Galena Mtn. then rolling terrain to Uncle Bud’s Hut. 11 miles & 3000’ elevation gain.
Day 4: Uncle Bud’s Hut to the Jackal Hut
This is the longest travel day on the tour. The route by-passes the 10th Mountain Memorial Hut and descends to Camp Hale by way of Mitchell Creek, a seldom skied route. The day finishes with a steep 3-mile climb to the Jackal Hut. Approximately 18 miles & 3500’ elevation gain.
Day 5: Jackal Hut to the Shrine Mountain Inn
Depending on weather and snowpack there are two route options. A “high route” climbs Pearl Peak and the Elk Ridge descending to Ptarmigan Pass and Wearyman Creek. A lower route descends Pearl Creek and climbs up the Resolution road by-passing the Fowler-Hilliard Hut to Ptarmigan Pass and Wearyman Creek. A final climb to Wingle (Shrine) Ridge leaves a short descent to the SMI. 12-15 miles & 2700‘ elevation gain.
Day 6: Shrine Mountain Inn to Vail
The final tour follows the Commando Run, a classic route to the Vail Ski Area and descent to Vail. Route options are available, including an “on piste” descent. Rolling terrain gives way to an 800’ climb before a 3500’ descent to Vail Village. A well-deserved celebration ! 13 miles & 2000’ elevation gain.
THE CHALLENGES OF THE BENEDICT 100:
This multi-day tour is an aggressive challenge for even the best skiers. Aside from the rigors of many hours on the trail you should expect challenging snow conditions and be prepared for mid-winter storms and cold temperatures. Expect pre-dawn starts and possibly late arrival at the hut on the longer days. Changes to the route may occur depending on a terrain and weather conditions. This tour is not a race but it does demand the full participation of everyone each day. Each participant will be interviewed prior to their reservation in order to assess their fitness and skill level.
Daily travel is 12-18 miles on backcountry skis with climbing skins. All participants are encouraged to prepare by training on skis with packs, to manage the demands of the Benedict 100.
While Paragon will facilitate an evacuation from the trip as needed, all expenses will be incurred by the participant.
Pricing
$3600 Base Fee
BENEDICT 100 INCLUDES:
- Personal phone interviews
- Two Guides
- Hut Hosts
- Hut & USFS Fees
- Dinners & breakfasts (Bring your own lunch)
- First Aid / Group Gear
- A limited amount of alcoholic beverages
- Sleeping bags cached at each hut
BENEDICT 100 DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Any evacuation during the course of the trip is at the participant’s expense.
- Ski Equipment: It is the responsibility of the participant to have appropriate gear in good working order and trail tested before the tour. An equipment list will be sent to all participants. Rental gear (Free-heel Telemark / AT / Avalanche kit) is available through Paragon Guides as well as Aspen shops. We recommend lighter weight skis and boots.
- Personal binding repair kit / blister kit
FAQ
A schedule conflict, illness, injury or family emergency can alter the best laid plans…
• If cancelling more than 8 weeks out from the trip departure date, we will refund your deposit, retaining a booking / cancellation fee of $100.00 per person.
• If cancelling within 8 to 6 weeks of the departure date there are no refunds available, but we will offer you a percentage of your trip amount paid as a credit toward another Paragon Guides trip, summer or winter, within one year from the date of cancellation.
• If cancelling within 6 weeks of the trip date, there are no refunds and no credits available.
In the rare event a scheduled trip is cancelled by Paragon Guides, we will refund your money in full.
Cell phone service is never guaranteed in the backcountry, and at this time we do not offer specific information about service providers. Hut users have reported the following information, listed below by hut:
- Confidence rating of getting service at the hut or nearby location: Low 0 – 50%, Medium 51 – 75%, or High 76 – 100%.
- The best location at, or closest to the hut to try to make a call or text.
- The closest town you are facing for service.
Colorado’s snowpack is notoriously unstable at times and demands your full attention and respect. The potential for avalanches is always our number one safety concern. Big lines in steep terrain in mid-winter is not what we offer. We select conservative routes that are appropriate to the condition of the snowpack, time of year, and size of group. Our guides have a minimum Level II certification from the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). From December through March, Paragon Guides announces the daily avalanche report, issued from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, on KZYR 97.7 FM. We require that all participants wear a beacon and carry a shovel and probe. We provide this equipment on our custom tours and hut trips. Equipment is available for rental if you’re participating on a scheduled Paragon Ski Club tour.
what participants are saying
We had the best guide for our hike with Paragon. A gentleman named Nate with tons of guiding experience took us on a beautiful driving tour followed by an amazing hike. He was very knowledgeable, flexible, and accommodating. We truly could not have asked for a better experience.
Patrick W.