Crested Butte Ski Resort
This historic town in southwestern Colorado surrounded by stunning scenery is a particularly peaceful and charming place to visit. While the ski area 10 minutes drive from town has a well-deserved reputation for providing some of North America’s most challenging in-bounds terrain, it has as much to offer beginners and families as it does the truly expert skier and snowboarder thanks to a wealth of long, well-groomed easy slopes emanating right from the base.
Crested Butte was one of the main coal mining towns in Colorado during the 1860s and still retains much of its character from those times. Colourful, quaint well-maintained Victorian-era homes and buildings line the streets and the town still sports the flavour of its Wild West past.
Almost a century later though, Crested Butte was under threat due to the decline in mining and other economic factors. In fact by the 1950s it came close to closing down and entering the ranks of ghost towns worldwide, but was saved from extinction in 1960 by a couple of entrepreneurs who saw the area’s potential. The pair bought a ranch just north of town at the 9376 feet (2858 metre) base of Mount Crested Butte’s soaring 12,612 feet (3707 m) peak and proceeded to develop the ski field which exists today.
In 1974 Crested Butte was added to the National Register of Historic Places and in 2002 this was expanded to include over 300 of Crested Butte’s buildings and other structures. The speed limit is just 15mph (24km/hr) in town.
Crested Butte now has two towns, the original and 10 minutes away by shuttle, the lively modern development at the base of the ski area called Mt. Crested Butte with plenty of lodging, self-contained condominiums and many shops and restaurants.
Crested Butte’s expert terrain is so serious it became the home of freeskiing in the United States about 13 years ago. The Extreme Freeskiing Championships are now held here every season, starting right from the peak of Mt Crested Butte. It is a wonderful spectacle.
In the evenings, the mountain is renowned for looking particularly photogenic bathed in the violet alpenglow of dusk.
Crested Butte Lodging & Accommodation Options
Closest to the ski lifts are The Grand Lodge, The Lodge at Mountaineer Square, The Inn at Crested Butte and Elevation Hotel & Spa. There is also a selection of condominiums such as the popular Axtel.
In town there is a host of atmosphere lodges and bed and breakfast establishments, leading with the Elk Mountain Lodge (which has a full bar and library) and Old Town Inn. The town centre is small and shuttles run regularly up to the ski mountain.
Crested Butte Mountain & Terrain
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 renown there is virtually no chance of ending up anywhere you do not want to be. What’s more, the beginner and intermediate terrain is accessible right from the base area, being confined to the front faces.
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 couple of large, steep bowls from the base of which is it 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 Statistics
| 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) |
| 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) |
How to get to Crested Butte
Crested Butte is 26 miles (43km) from the nearest main town of Gunnison. There are regular flights from Denver to Montrose Regional Airport.
Flying into Crested Butte
Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)
It’s a 2 hour 93 mile (150 km ) transfer from Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) to Crested Butte.
Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC)
Throughout winter, the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) has flights served by American Airlines and United Airlines, with flights from Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH) and Denver (DEN).
From Denver
From Denver International Airport, take interstate 70 west, exit to highway 470 west, highway 285 south to Fairplay then Poncha Springs, highway 50 west to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From Colorado Springs
Take highway 24 west to highway 285, highway 285 south to Poncha Springs, highway 50 west to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte. From Montrose Take highway 50 east to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
Shuttle Services to Crested Butte
There are various private transfer options from Montrose Regional Airport & Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport into Crested Butte.
Crested Butte Ski School
Crested Butte has a comprehensive range of clinics and camps designed to help visitors make the absolute most of its truly unique ski area. Two of the most popular among quite a range of options are Women’s Tips on Tuesdays and Butte Camps. The latter is a four day camp for experts who want an expert PSIA instructor to take them to Crested Butte’s steepest most extreme double black diamond terrain and help them ski it like a pro. It runs Monday to Thursdays from 10am to 12.30pm.
The former, Women’s Tips on Tuesdays, is designed to offer some fun as well as learning. Held each Tuesday afternoon it involves getting some ski tips followed by socialising over a glass or two at the on-slope Umbrella Bar.
Ski With An Olympian gives you the chance to ski with extreme freeskiing champion and local resident Wendy Fisher.
The children’s ski school services include a nursery for ages 2 months to 3 years and a Kids’ Night Out program offering dinner and activities at the Winter Adventure Park (detailed below) from 4pm till 8pm.
Crested Butte Things To Do, Activities & Tours
As Crested Butte specialises in catering for families, one of the main facilities is the excellent Winer Adventure Park at the base of the ski area. Miniature golf, bungee trampolines and a climbing pinnacle are all on offer with the bungee trampolines catapulting riders 10 metres in the air. The climbing tower as six routes and auto-belay. There is also zipline, fat biking, snowbiking, sleigh rides, winter horseback rides, and guided snowshoe and snowmobiling tours.
The speciality here is the unique winter zipline tour. Like no other, Crested Butte’s experience features five ziplines ranging from 36 metres to 120 metres, all connected by suspended wooden bridges and towering platforms. These adrenalin-pumping guided tours take 90 minutes to two hours and are well worth sacrificing some on-slope time for.
Winter Adventure Park
Location: Enjoy views of the Flattops, Mt. Werner, Sleeping Giant and the Zirkels.
Miniature golf, bungee trampolines and a climbing pinnacle.
Open: Year-round
Sleigh Ride Dinner at Uley’s Cabin
Location: Uley’s Cabin
Fine dining meets mountain adventure.
Open: Wednesday through Saturday.
Zipline Tours
Five ziplines connected by suspended wooden bridges and towering platforms.
Open: Tours are offered daily during winter operations.
Kids Night out
Kids’ instructors host your kids for a visit to the Adventure Park, dinner and games – while you head out on the town.
Open: Advance reservations are required
Uphill Skiing
A variety of uphill routes are available before and after the lifts run, and they have an uphill route available all day.
Free-guided Mountain Tours
A two-hour tour, where you be shown around the lifts, trails, and best green and blue runs.
Snowshoe Tours
Guided snowshoe tours.
Snowbiking
Enjoy riding and exploring Crested Butte.
Butte Camp
CBMR’s Ski School’s top Professional Instructors will improve you on their famous T-Bar Double Black Diamond terrain.
Four day expert skier camps.
First Track
8 – 9 am, before the lifts officially open for the day.
Ski With An Olympian
Wendy Fisher, a local Olympian and freeskiing expert hosts her Wednesday ski clinics at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife
Paradise Lodge at the base of the Paradise Express Lift is the main on-mountain cafeteria, while the base area is home to the Treasury Lodge offering a variety of cuisines from pizza to Mexican and American fare at the Butte 66 Roadhouse Bar & Grille. On mountain head to The Ice Bar at Uley’s Cabin, or take a sleigh ride to Uley’s at night for a romantic meal in the tiny building which was once home to a bootlegger.
The Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks is the place to catch the rays on a bluebird Colorado day thanks to the retractable roof.
Town may be small but there it hits all the bases when it comes to catering to different tastes. Slogars is the Crested Butte classic for family dining. Take in a movie at the Majestic Movie Theatre, enjoy a glass of American wine at the Princess Wine Bar or a fresh beer and hearty food at The Eldo Brewery, both of which have entertainment at night. Crested Butte’s Centre for the Arts has regular live music during winters, showcasing jazz, rock, blues, folk, funk to bluegrass.
Like rum? Head to the renown Montanya Distillers to taste the spirit made from the purest snow melt and non-GMO sugar cane from Louisiana.
Coal Breaker Coffee Company
Location: Treasury Center ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-4228
Butte 66 Roadhouse & Grille
Location: Slopeside, Treasury Center ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Handcrafted Roadhouse BBQ, burgers and milk shake creations.
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-2999
The Woodstone Grille
Location: The Grand Lodge, Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Breakfast buffet, handmade fire baked custom pizza, unique pasta dishes and signature grill items
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-8030
Jefe’s
Location: Mountaineer Square Breezeway ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Traditional Mexican
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-4450
Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks
Location: On-Mountain ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Serving paninis and sausages
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-4673
Trackers Bar and Lounge
Location: Lodge at Mountaineer Square ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Après drinks and snacks
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-4228
Uley’s Cabin – Winter Only
Location: On-Mountain ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Colorado cuisine with French influences
Bar: Yes
Open: Open for winter Service Only
Ph: +1 970-349-2275
Spellbound Pizza – Winter Only
Location: Treasury Building ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Slices and whole pies
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-2998
Paradise on Crested Butte – Winter Only
Location: On-Mountain ~ Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Casual dining with grill, udon noodle and salad stations.
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-2275
The Divvy
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Food: Gourmet soup, salad bar, extensive wine and beer list, to go lunches and dinners, sandwiches, and cheese & charcuterie boards.
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970.787.5447
Waffle Cabin
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Food: Golden hand-snack Belgian sugar waffles.
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-2333
Coffee Lab
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Food: Specialty coffees, doughnuts, breakfast sandwiches and soup
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-4675
The Store + Deli
Location: 611 Gothic Road, Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Deli made-to-order sandwiches, hot dogs, bratwursts and meats and cheeses by the pound.
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-0306
Avalanche Bar & Grill
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Foor: Sports bar / American menu
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-7195
Bakery & Brown Labrador Pub
Location: 22 Crested Mt. Way, Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Bakery
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-4757
Iron Horse Tap
Location: 11 Snowmass Road, Mt. Crested Butte
Food: American cuisine
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-7300
9380′
Location: Elevation Hotel & Spa, Mt. Crested Butte
Food: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-251-3030
Chef Services
Location: Crested Butte
Food: Local, fresh, seasonal products.
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-306-5556
Paradise Cafe
Location: 435 6th Street, Crested Butte
Food: French toast, pancakes, bacon, eggs, hash browns … all the good stuff.
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970.349.5622
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Location: 314 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Desserts and sweet treats.
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970.349.0933
Wooden Nickel – Bar and Steakhouse
Location: 222 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Steaks
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-6350
Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle
Location: 411 Third Street, Crested Butte
Food: Italian Cuisine
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-7401
Elk Ave Prime
Location: 226 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Steaks
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-1551
The Guild Café
Location: 21 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Bread and coffee
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-5434
Bonez
Location: 130 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Mexican food
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-5118
A Daily Dose
Location: 502 Belleview Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Snacks and sandwiches
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-5589
Slogar Bar & Restaurant
Location: 517 2nd Street, Crested Butte
Food: Skillet-fried chicken and grilled steak dinners
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-5765
Soupcon Bistro
Location: 127 A Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: French bistro
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-5448
Montanya Distillers
Location: 212 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Wines
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-799-3206
Ginger Cafe
Location: 425 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Pan-Asian delights
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-7291
Izzy’s
Location: 218 Maroon Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Breakfast and lunch
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-5630
Brick Oven Pizzeria & Pub
Location: 223 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Pizza
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-5044
Coal Creek Grill
Location: 129 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Colorado mountain cuisine
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-6645
Mikey’s Pizza
Location: 611 Third Street, Crested Butte
Food: Pizza and sandwiches
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-1110
Ryce Asian Bistro
Location: 120 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Asian food
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-9888
The Last Steep
Location: 208 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Bar and grill
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-7007
The Secret Stash
Location: 303 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Pizza
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-6245
McGill’s
Location: 228 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Breakfast and lunch with creative twist
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-6245
Rumors Coffee and Tea
Location: 414 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Full service espresso bar
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970 349-7545
Third Bowl
Location: 201 Elk Ave, Crested Butte
Food: Ice cream
Bar: No
Open: Winter hours
Ph: +1 970-349-2888
Donitas
Location: 330 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Mexican food
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-6674
Teocalli Tamale
Location: 311 1/2 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Mexican food
Bar: Yes
Ph: +1 970-349-2005
The Gas Cafe
Location: 602 Butte Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Fastfood
Bar: No
Ph: +1 (970) 349-9656
The Sherpa Cafe
Location: 313 3rd Street, Crested Butte
Food: Nepali and Indian foods
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-0443
Lil’s Sushi Bar & Grill
Location: 321 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Sushi bar
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-5457
Pitas in Paradise
Location: 212 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Food: Greek cuisine
Bar: No
Ph: +1 970-349-0897
Crested Butte Shopping
Brightly coloured shops line Crested Butte’s main street Elk Avenue selling a vast array of temptations from jewellery to toys and beautiful clothes. You won’t find any major names or chain stores here, mostly due to strictly followed historical preservation guidelines. just cute little outlets. There is a high number of galleries selling art and photographic work here due to the fact that so many artistic types are drawn to Crested Butte for the area’s natural beauty.
CB Mountain Outfitters
Items: technical gear and logo apparel for kids, teens, and adults.
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Phone Number: +1 970-349-4117
Thin Air Sports
Items: This upscale boutique features top brands from Mammut, Eider, Lole, and Sorel.
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Phone Number: +1 970-349-4045
Logo’d
Items convenient satellite shop for authentic logo wear, souvenirs and gifts
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Phone Number: +1 970-871-5360
Camp CB
Items: This one stop shop offers everything from purchasing lift tickets, signing up for ski school, and renting kids’ ski and snowboard gear.
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Phone Number: +1 970-349-4723
Crested Butte Rental and Demo Center
Items: In this one location you can rent, ride, and repair skis and snowboards.
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Phone Number: +1 970-349-2278
Butte & Co.
Items: ski equipment, clothing, and rentals.
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Phone Number: +1 970-349-7581
Flatiron Sports
Items: one-stop-shop for all your ski and snowboard gear.
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area
Phone Number: +1 970-349-6656
CB Sports
Items: rents, repairs, and sells ski, snowboard, and snowshoe equipment.
Location: Evergreen Condos, Mt. Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-7516
Chopwood Mercantile
Items: Patagonia, Icebreaker, Skratch Labs, Cycledog, Mission Workshop, Acre Supply, Kitsbow, Badfish Stand Up Paddle Boards, Conscious Camper, Hydro Flask, Colorado Real Soap Company
Location: 120 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-2446
Alley Hats
Items: They carry hats, scarves and other assorted fun items
Location: 318 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-6277
Mountain Tops
Items: Offers high quality Crested Butte t-shirts and gifts to remember your trip
Location: 306 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: 970-349-5413
Mountain Earth Organic Grocer
Items: Organic town grocery store
Location: 405 Fourth Street, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-5132
Mountain Spirits
Items: offers world renowned wines, spirits, beer, and mixers.
Location: 220 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-5401
Acme Liquor
Items: Huge selection of beer, wine and liquor.
Location: 510 Belleview Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-5709
Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven
Items: Locally owned premier full-service bike shop
Location: 207 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-0515
The Wine House
Items: Full service liquor store
Location: 301 6th Street, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-1689
Clark’s Market
Items: Local Grocery Store
Location: 500 Bellview Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-6492
Ice Mountain Jewelry
Items: first stop for all sorts of jewels.
Location: 311 Sixth Street, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-6331
Retail Therapy
Items: unique clothing and accessories.
Location: 510 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-6824
Pfisters- Handworks
Items: Go to Handworks to find a large selection of art supplies, cards, souvenirs, and more.
Location: 302 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-6731
Lavish
Items: Lavish is an exciting boutique that has jewelry, hats, accessories, and more.
Location: 310 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-1077
Milky Way
Items: Offering contemporary clothing, jewelry, lingerie and gifts
Location: 310 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-2107
Paradox Footwear
Items: Paradox Footwear carries all of your favorite brands from Keen, Columbia, and Sorel, to Smartwool socks.
Location: 428 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-9711
Pooh’s Corner
Items: From fun toys and games, to children’s clothing and stuffed animals, Pooh’s Corner has everything kids want.
Location: 302 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-6539
Shades of Crested Butte
Items: largest selection of sunglasses in town.
Location: 304 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-2020
The Mountain Store
Items: From casual to outdoor, this is the place to find some fashionable goods.
Location: 201 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-9113
Zacchariah Zypp & Co.
Items: jewelry retailer and gift shop specialist
Location: 311 Elk Avenue Crested Butte
Phone Number: +1 970-349-5913
Crested Butte Trail Maps
Explore Crested Butte trail maps to find your ideal place to ride, catch up with friends and more…