Crested Butte has 15 lifts serving 1,556 acres (630 hectares) of terrain. The lay of the land means beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert terrain are neatly separated – so despite the fearsome terrain for which Crested Butte is renowned there is virtually no chance of ending up anywhere you do not want to be. What’s more, the beginner and intermediate terrain is easily accessible right from the base area.
About 75 percent of marked trails are rated as intermediate, advanced, or expert, making Crested Butte a good place for accomplished skiers looking for a challenge. Those looking for a challenge can head over to the North Face Lift to hit a number of double black diamond bowls and drop-offs. They can also venture onto the other side of the front face to the peak affectionately known as the Banana where the freeskiing championships are held. While the peak from where competitors ski is not open to the public, the runs below are. Advanced riders can also head over into an area called Teocalli where there are a couple of large, steep bowls from the base which is a 10 to 15-minute hike back into Paradise Bowl on the front side.
There are four terrain parks on the front side of the mountain within easy reach of all intermediate and beginner terrain, plus a family cross course right by the Paradise Express Lift to start you on your way.
The town of Crested Butte itself has a Nordic Center which has an ice skating rink as well as many miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails.
Crested Butte Mountain Stats
Skiable Terrain | 1,547 acres (626 hectares) |
Vertical | 933 m (3062 ft) |
Top Elevation | 3,710 m (12,170 ft) |
Base Elevation | 2,778 m (9,115 ft) |
Average Snowfall | 762 cm (300 in/25 ft) |
Beginner Terrain | 23% |
Intermediate Terrain | 57% |
Advanced Terrain | 20% |
Trails | 121 |
Parks | 2 |
Pipes | 1 |
Winter lifts Total | 15 |
Chair Lifts | 10 |
Surface Lifts | 5 |
Longest Run | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) |
Snowmaking | 297 ac (120 hectares) |
Season Opens | 22 November, 2018 |
Season Closes | 7 April, 2019 (Estimated) |