Crested Butte Skiing & Snowboarding Resort Guide
Crested Butte is among a dying breed of true mountain towns. Insulated from the hustle and bustle of Denver by its somewhat remote location, Crested Butte stays true to its roots, with a great mountain, plenty of powder days, and friendly locals. Those locals, the ones who hold down multiple jobs in town in order to make the most of the winter, are also some of the best skiers and snowboarders out there, ripping the extreme terrain and rocky chutes found high up on the mountain. Make friends with them, and keep up if you can, it's a garunteed good time. While the ski and snowboard areas is known for its expert terrain, the beginner and intermediate infrastructure is also quite strong.
Photo: Matt Bergland/Crested Butte
Crested Butte is known for it’s puckering steep and rocky extreme skiing and snowboarding terrain. Skiers and boarders looking to find these chutes and bowls should head straight to the High Lift. The Headwall and surrounding runs are steep and challenging, with sweet powder stashes. Take the 15 minute hike from here to explore the Teocalli Bowl, it’s well worth it; Teo2, the farthest reach of the bowl holds powder the longest following a storm. The North Face lift accesses the rest of Crested Butte’s extreme terrain, with a cornucopia of bowls, chutes and cliffs. Careful following others’ tracks out here, the local skiers and snowboards love to jump off cliffs and rocks in this area. These runs aren’t terribly long, but they make up for it with heart pounding steeps and deep powder. The last bit of extreme terrain lies a 30 minute hike to The Peak, where skiers and snowboarders can shred their way all the way back to town.
Below the steeps of The North Face lift, East River Express is a fun lift to lap for skiers and snowboarders not ready to hit the extreme terrain. The bumps on Resurrection will get anyone’s legs burning, and the gladed Bakery Trees hide some fun powder skiing and snowboarding.
The lower mountain Red Lady Express accesses the wide beginner and intermediate areas of the mountain. This is also where Crested Butte’s terrain parks are located, which are some of the best in southern Colorado.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is located in southwest Colorado, a four hour drive from both Denver and Colorado springs. Skiers and snowboarders also have the option to fly into the Gunnison airport, a 35 minute drive from Crested Butte. There are direct flights from several major cities, and shuttle services to the mountain. Once in town, there are free busses around and to the mountain.
Travel Resources:
Crested Butte Travel Overview
Visiting Crested Butte by Air
Driving Directions
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is located in southwest Colorado, a four hour drive from both Denver and Colorado springs. Skiers and snowboarders also have the option to fly into the Gunnison airport, a 35 minute drive from Crested Butte. There are direct flights from several major cities, and shuttle services to the mountain. Once in town, there are free busses around and to the mountain.
Crested Butte Travel Overview
Visiting Crested Butte by Air
Driving Directions
Crested Butte has a full range of lodging options, from the upscale Elevation Hotel & Spa to the laid-back Old Town Inn, with it’s fresh baked cookies and friendly staff.
Crested Butte Lodging Overview
Our Favorite Snowboards For Crested Butte
Local Food Picks
For a small mountain town, Crested Butte has an awesome restaurant and bar scene. The tiny Sherpa Cafe is bursting with character, serving hungry skiers and snowboarders delicious Nepali and Indian cuisine. Secret Stash Pizza has a reputation for some the best pizza around. It’s located on Crested Butte’s main street, Elk Avenue. It’s hard to go wrong here on Elk Ave., Talk of the Town and Eldo are both fun bars for apres ski drinks, and favorites of the locals. Dining Overview
The Sherpa Cafe
Secret Stash Pizza
The Eldo
Our Favorite Skis For Crested Butte
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Crested Butte?
Crested Butte’s ski and snowboard lift ticket prices are average for Colorado, and mostly comparable to the prices found in Summit County at areas like Breckenridge. Discounted lift tickets to Crested Butte can be bought online in advance. Children, young adults, and seniors all are eligible for discount lift tickets.Crested Butte Conditions & Weather Information
Crested Butte receives an average of 300” of snowfall annually, which is about average for Colorado. Southern Colorado, however, is known for the massive snowstorms that can dump multiple feet at a time. While it’s hard to plan a trip around these storms, unless it’s last minute, El Nino years definitely favor the south.Crested Butte Ski Report
Crested Butte Snow Forecast
Crested Butte is a great destination ski and snowboard area in Colorado. From the gnarly terrain to the awesome mountain town, skiers and snowboarders will never want to leave. The mountain is a playground for advanced skiers and snowboarders, yet still has beginner friendly areas and modern ski area infrastructure, a perfect combination for family and powder hounds alike. For those looking to stray from the more well traveled ski areas in Colorado, Crested Butte is a great southern Colorado option.
