Glacier Point Ski Hut

Overview

A winter-only classic, Glacier Point Ski Hut is a rustic, ski-in lodge perched at one of the park’s most jaw-dropping viewpoints. When it’s operating, you earn your stay with a 10.5-mile cross-country ski from Badger Pass, then settle into a warm stone-and-log refuge steps from sweeping views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the High Sierra.

Current Status

Heads up: the hut is closed for the 2024–2025 season due to a lack of power. The Nordic Center at Badger Pass still runs as usual, with rentals, lessons, and access to the Glacier Point Ski Trail.

Getting There (When Open)

• Start at Badger Pass Ski Area and follow the groomed Glacier Point Ski Trail for 10.5 miles one-way.
• Many guests choose to stay overnight to explore the rim and take advantage of a warm base; day users can ski to the viewpoint but should plan for a long day.
• A free bus typically runs daily from Yosemite Valley to Badger Pass (morning pickups at Curry Village, The Ahwahnee, and Yosemite Valley Lodge; return buses mid/late afternoon), which is handy if you don’t want to drive icy mountain roads.

What’s Inside

• Simple, convivial setup: a dining room, sofas, and a woodstove to thaw out and swap stories.
• Indoor restrooms for overnight guests.
• A single bunk room sleeping up to 20.
• A 24-hour hut keeper is on site to keep things running smoothly.

Reservations, Policies, and Operations

• Winter-only and reservation-required; spaces are limited and book up fast in normal years.
• Minimum age to stay overnight is 14 with an adult.
• No pets (except service animals) and no smoking in any park accommodations.
• No WiFi at the hut; cell service along the route ranges from spotty to none.

Food, Water, and Rentals

• When operating, meals are commonly provided for overnighters (hot breakfasts/dinners with pack-your-own lunch fixings vary by season). Confirm specifics for your dates.
• Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, plus lessons, are available at the Badger Pass Nordic Center.
• In winter there’s no public water available at Glacier Point for day users—carry what you need or be prepared to melt/treat snow.

Safety and Winter Travel Notes

• Short daylight, cold temps, and changing weather are the big factors—start early, carry layers, navigation, a headlamp, and extra calories.
• Stay on the marked trail and let someone know your plan.
• Pack out all trash; if nature calls away from facilities, follow winter waste guidance (dig through snow to soil and pack out toilet paper).
• Bears are active year-round—use bear boxes at trailheads and never leave food in vehicles.

Geology and The View

From Glacier Point you’re looking across glacially sculpted terrain—U-shaped valleys, polished granite, and the unmistakable profile of Half Dome. It’s a front-row seat to Yosemite’s ice-carved story and the park’s most famous waterfalls and domes.

Best Time to Visit

• For the hut itself: mid-winter windows with stable weather and good snow coverage are ideal—book early once operations resume.
• For photographers: arrive with daylight to spare, then stay for the warm alpenglow on Half Dome. In winter, sunsets come early—plan your ski and headlamp time accordingly.