About Vermont Huts
Why We Exist
The beauty and allure of the Green Mountains have attracted mountain purists from all over the world. Hard-working Vermonters have created remarkable recreational opportunities for locals and tourists to enjoy. Countless trails were created over the years by skiers, mountain bikers, and hikers. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to take these individual trail systems and unify them by linking a cohesive network of backcountry accommodations – where huts, cabins, yurts and lodges will exist to enhance our outdoor adventures.
Our immediate efforts will be to unify the existing backcountry accommodations in the state. Once that’s completed, we’ll look to create new lodging opportunities to connect the dots in between.
This process won’t be easy, but it needs to be done, and that’s what we’re here to do.
It will take an enormous amount of statewide and community collaboration to build this network. So, if you operate a backcountry shelter, we’d love to chat with you. If you’re an eager mountain biker or skier, get involved by raising awareness about our efforts. The time has come to put Vermont huts on the map.
From all of us at VT Huts
RJ Thompson
Co-Founder, Executive Director
RJ lives to be in the mountains, and he loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with anyone who is willing to join him on foot, skis, or bike. His love for the Green Mountains began in 2002 while studying at the University of Vermont, and, after a three-year stint in Jackson Hole, he received an M.S. in Environmental Studies from Green Mountain College. RJ also serves on the Green Mountain Club’s Camps Committee and the Moosalamoo Association’s board of directors. He has also visited hut systems across the US and Europe. When RJ is inside, you can find him chasing his son around the house with his wife, Olivia.
Devin Littlefield
Co-Founder, Director of Marketing
The outdoors have been a part of his entire life and will be for the rest of it. Devin received his Bachelors degree in Outdoor Studies from Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage and has worked extensively in the outdoor recreation and travel industries since. His deep knowledge of backcountry huts comes from experiences with multiple organizations from Maine, his home state, to Alaska, the surreal dream state. When Devin is not dreaming up things for Vermont Huts Association, he is with his wife, Monica, going on or planning for the next adventure. And drinking coffee. Lots of coffee…
DANI KEHLMANN
Development and Communications Manager
Dani and her best friend, Boots the dog, are generally found eating snacks in the woods and calling it trail running. She can also be found serving on the Waterbury Selectboard, coaching a fitness class, or telling a bad joke. It has always been Dani’s mission to leave the world a little better than she found it, leading her from the arts, to teaching, to social services, and finally to Vermont Huts. It is with great joy that Dani joins the team to leave a lasting impact on Vermont’s outdoor recreation and increase access for all people in the backcountry. Everyone deserves a safe, accesible way to play – and stay – outdoors.
Dan hallberg
Project Coordinator
Dan’s love of Vermont started when he first moved to Burlington in 2008 and although he left and spent time in other parts of the country, no other place felt as much like home as Vermont does. Dan has made a point to work in the outdoors for his whole life, first as a trail builder and carpenter, then after earning a degree in Washington state as a land surveyor. In his free time you can find him skiing, biking, hiking or camping with his elderly lab Loki, or working with his small goat herd that he rents out for brush clearing projects.
Jordan rowell
Project Coordinator
Jordan likes to build things. Taking an idea and turning it into a reality is one of his favorite activities in the world. He got his start in 2014 as a crew member with the VYCC, and has gone on to build trails and structures all over the country. Mountain bike trails in California, timber frames in Maine, and stone walls and accessible trails in his home state of Vermont. To Jordan, the only thing better than creating trails and huts is taking the time to enjoy them with friends, sitting around a campfire dreaming up the next hair-brained adventure. He spends much of his free time skiing, climbing, and mountain biking.
Maggie Twitchell
Program & Communication Coordinator
Maggie lives in Waterbury Center with her partner and a house full of pets. She spends her time running a hiker hostel from her family home, poking about on the trails with eager leaf peepers and burning off energy with her springy Springer, Willie.
During the pandemic, Maggie had the opportunity to thru hike the Long Trail. She didn’t really have much experience, but she did it, like Cheryl Strayed and upon landing, decided other women should get the chance to have their own awakening. Who needs Ayahuasca, just stay outside long enough to get smelly. So when she’s not gathering tribes of women for epiphanies and running that pup, she’s here, having fun with our social media account and growing our F.O.R.E.S.T. program; our way of getting those with fewer opportunities, into the outdoors.
Board of Directors
Berne Broudy | Jamey Fidel |
Chris Quinn | David Goodman |
Mike Donohue | Liz Gleason |
JULIA BUNTING |