Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ski Resort

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Overview

Known as Colorado’s last great ski town, Crested Butte is a great year-round mountain destination that offers gorgeous scenery, a rich history and lack of crowds. Crested Butte Mountain Resort has expansive and diverse terrain across more than 1,500 skiable acres and offers terrain suitable for any ability type.

During the summer, the town is home to the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival since it’s known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. Hikers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts flock to the town during the summer.

Where Is Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort Located?

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is located in southwest Colorado, within the Gunnison National Forest and the Elk Mountain Range. The resort town of Mt. Crested Butte is about three miles from the historic mining town of Crested Butte. It is about a four-hour drive from Denver. The nearest airport is Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. From the airport, you can rent a car or take a shuttle. The town is about 30 minutes away from the airport.

Three hotels on the resort. About 50 hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, up to four bedroom homes, and condominiums offering approximately 6,000 rooms within a 3-mile radius of the slopes. Some ski in/out and some within walking distance.

Restaurants

Breakfast

  • Coal Creek Grill features an outdoor patio and has an Old West theme. It serves up traditional breakfast fare. 129 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224

Lunch

  • Sherpa Cafe may be small, but the food is good, and the staff is extremely friendly. 313 3rd Street, Crested Butte, CO 81224

Dinner

  • Ranked as one of the best Colorado restaurants by Best Things Colorado, The Last Steep Bar & Grill has a wide selection of salads, apps and comfort foods. 208 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224

Après

  • Montanya Distillers is a rum distillery, offering tours and signature cocktails. Stop by for happy hour after getting off the slopes. 212 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224

Nightlife

  • Kochevar’s Saloon offers happy hour cocktails and lots of games, including pool tables and shuffle board. 127 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224

Terrain

Terrain

Crested Butte is best known for its diverse extreme terrain with the upper parts of the mountain containing steep and rocky chutes, tree glades, bowls and cliff drops. Some of North America’s most advanced inbounds terrain is located at Crested Butte, and the resort is home to various freeskiing championships.

There is a total of 1,547 skiable acres serviced by 15 lifts, with 300 inches of snow per year and snowmaking on 297 acres. Lift-served vertical drop is 2,775 feet; overall is 3,026 feet. With 121 trails, the trail descriptions are 27% beginner, 57% intermediate and 16% advanced. The longest run is 2.6 miles long. The summit elevation is 12,162 feet, and base elevation is 9,375 feet. The lowest lift is at 9,100 feet.

Freestylers can take advantage of the five terrain parks: Cascade Park, the expert park with hybrid rail combinations and technical jibs; Ten Peaks Progression Park, designed for beginner and intermediates; Keystone Job Park, which includes Crested Butte’s most popular boxes and rails features; and Lower Twister Terrain Park, which is the newest with rolling terrain. The Gold Link Family Cross Course is a family-friendly skier and boarder cross track.

The resort is a great place to get those untouched powder lines because of the lack of crowds and short lift lines. Crested Butte has adequate terrain for beginners and a dedicated first-timers area. As for the intermediates, skiers and riders should explore some of the blue runs off the East River Lift. The expert terrain requires significant snow cover and is great when base amounts are deep.

Inside Scoop

Crested Butte is an authentic Colorado ski town with unique characteristics and laid-back atmosphere. A hidden gem that experiences less skier traffic than its neighbors to the north, Crested Butte Mountain Resort is a great destination for skiers and riders looking to avoid the crowds and experience some of the country’s most extreme terrain. The resort is open from November through April.

Crested Butte ski resort offers many different lessons, including standard private, adult and kid lessons. It also has Adult Clinics to help skiers and boarders expand their current skill set. You can even ski with Wendy Fisher, a World Champion skier and Olympian. 

Plan Your Trip

Ski Lessons

Best Time for Snow

Average Snowfall

67"
42"
28"
14"
0"
14"
Nov
55"
Dec
50"
Jan
44"
Feb
41"
Mar
5"
Apr
0"
May

Terrain Overview

14%
Beginners Runs
25%
Intermediate Runs
25%
Advanced Runs
36%
Expert Runs
121
Runs in Total
2.6 mi
Longest Run
1547 ac
Skiable Terrain
297 ac
Snow Making

Total Lifts: 14

4
High Speed Quads
2
Quad Chairs
2
Triple Chairs
1
Double Chairs
5
Surface Lifts

Elevation

12162'
Summit
3062'
Vertical Drop
9375'
Base

Important Dates

November 22, 20232023/11/22
Projected Opening
April 07, 20242024/04/07
Projected Closing
137
Projected Days Open
145
Days Open Last Year
62
Years Open
234"
Average Snowfall

Contact Information

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

P.O. Box 5700

81225 Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado

United States

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