Cross-Country Ski to the Ostrander Ski Hut

Start your trip from the Badger Pass ski area. The Glacier point road is closed past here, and you'll spend your first couple of miles skiing mostly downhill to the Bridalveil Falls trailhead.

The Bridelveil Creek trail gains slightly less elevation but is less scenic and longer than the more popular Horizon Ridge trail. We went up to the hut this way and came down Horizon Ridge.

If you are going later in the season, the trail should be well tracked, although there are also reflective blazes on trees the whole way. The next 4 miles up Bridalveil is a continuous uphill ski. When you reach the connection with the Horizon Ridge trail, you've got 2 miles left to go...up Heart Attack Hill. After climbing that last 700 ft, you'll hit a short downhill section to Ostrander Lake and the hut.

Enjoy the communal area, where you'll likely find other skiers drinking wine, playing cards, and warming themselves by the fire. Get a good nights sleep on one of the bunks!

You can return the way you came or take Horizon Ridge down back to Glacier Point road. Horizon does have magnificent views, although it will add a bit of elevation gain and some significant technical downhills to your trip.