Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is remarkably situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The mountain is secluded about a half-hour north of Gunnison in a formerly sleepy, but quickly awakening ski town.

At almost a five-hour drive from Denver, Crested Butte (CB) is truly a place you can get away to without the traffic of busier resort towns. CB is known for its expert inbound skiing, iconic butte-shaped peak, and welcoming mountain town. You can often find cheap lift ticket deals and vacation packages, to lure in the Front Rangers.

Terrain

Crested Butte Ski Resort Aerial View — Take on winter on the Western Slope!

All levels will find terrain they like at CB: gentle greens, groomed blues, steeps, trees, bumps, cliffs, bowl, hike-access, and terrain parks. The lift-served vertical is 2,775 feet assuring you long runs if you want them. There’s a total of 121 trails.

Crested Butte gets great snow too, ideally situated where a lot of Colorado’s biggest blizzards hit head-on. And still, the daily winter average is 30°F and sunny. Beginners will find the easiest trails conveniently located near the village and getting more difficult the further they get away. Eighty percent of Crested Butte’s 1,167 skiable acres are beginner and intermediate.

Experts will find plenty of adrenaline-pumping double-blacks higher up the mountain. North Face and Headwall offer advanced skiers & riders a challenge, while the Teocalli Bowl has serious double-black skiing, that requires a 10-minute hike back to the Paradise Bowl area.

Crested Butte Ski Resort Poma Lift — Poma Lift accesses expert terrain at CB.

The Gold Link Terrain Park has many features and jumps, progressing in difficulty, from one to the next. There is also a Superpipe in the park.

Village

There is both a resort village and the historic town of Crested Butte to explore during your vacation. They are connected via a free shuttle, with departures leaving regularly throughout the day. At the base of Crested Butte’s ski area is a modern ski village with ample dining, shopping, spas, and lodging options. The resort also features winter miniature golf at the Adventure Park.

On the mountain, there are several places to eat and drink. Uley’s Cabin features upscale dining and an outdoor ice bar, ideal for an after ski brew. The Paradise Warming Hut has cafeteria-style dining, an indoor bar, and plenty of outdoor seating for soaking up the sun.

Downtown Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte Panorama — Crested Butte, Colorado. Photo by: Cody Wellons

The historic downtown is situated in a valley surrounded by stunning views of the Maroon Bells, Elk Mountains, and the Ruby Range. The town is lined with Victorian storefronts and quaint shops, restaurants, and lodging. It’s a short 5-minute drive from the slopes of Crested Butte.

In summer, the resort turns into a Mountain Bike Park, with lift-served downhill trail riding.