Crested Butte

About Crested Butte

A Crested Butte ski vacation is like no other, which is why it attracts a certain kind of ski vacationer; someone who is willing to travel further, go deeper and ski harder; someone looking for a unique, beautiful experience, not necessarily a convenient break from the “real world.” Crested Butte may lack the convenience of Colorado’s I-70 resorts, but it makes up for it with its spunky individualism, which is how it’s retained its acclaim as “the last great Colorado ski town.” One of the prime ski destinations in Colorado that offers challenging terrain coupled with a welcome community atmosphere, Crested Butte is truly in the heart of the Rocky Mountains

The aesthetics of this place—the rugged, jutting and beautiful Mt. Crested Butte (the sharp peak to looker’s right of the ski area), quaint Victorian town and spectacular surrounding mountains—are enough to warrant a Crested Butte ski vacation. The smaller details, like dining, lodging and especially the unique ski terrain also provide special experiences to make a Crested Butte ski vacation truly one-of-a-kind. If you’re looking for some good stories and some friendly advice there are no better locals to mingle with.

Beyond the slopes, visitors can explore scenic trails on snowshoes or cross-country skis or take a guided tour experience into the backcountry on a snowmobile. Try ice climbing or fat biking on snow-packed trails for a unique adventure. The town is rich in cultural offerings with art galleries, boutique shops, and a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries to fine dining.

Challenging terrain

Uncrowded slopes

Charming mountain town

Family-friendly options

Steeped in ski history

How to get to Crested Butte

Crested Butte is located about 30 miles north of Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC), making it easily accessible. The resort can also be reached by car via Denver International Airport (DIA) and Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ).

Getting around

Crested Butte offers a free shuttle service that runs between the town and the resort, making it easy for visitors to get around without a car. The town is also pedestrian-friendly, with most attractions within walking distance.

Skiing in Crested Butte

There's nothing quite like Crested Butte skiing. While it’s known for its technical, steep “extreme” skiing, the vast majority of Crested Butte’s terrain is intermediate to advanced intermediate. The top half of Mt. Crested Butte is renowned as the ski area's more challenging section, while the bottom half levels out to ideal beginner and intermediate skiing. Few resorts can boast such world-class, varied terrain. The frontside of the mountain, specifically, the trails off of the Red Lady Express, offer incredible, wide-open and relatively uncrowded beginner skiing. Intermediate skiers can enjoy quick laps off of Prospect and Gold Link Lift; while more advanced intermediates have tons of trail options off of Paradise and East River Express Lifts. Expert skiers can get their “extreme” on off the North Face Lift, Spellbound Bowl, Third Bowl and gate-accessed Teocali Bowl.

Beginner Skiing in Crested Butte

Despite its storied reputation as an “extreme” mountain, Crested Butte is in fact, contrary to popular belief, a great place to learn to ski. While the rocky, steep top half of the mountain is an expert skier’s paradise, the bottom portion of the mountain features wide, gentle runs. Beginner skiers can learn in a calm environment, since getting to Crested Butte takes a little more effort than say Keystone or Breckenridge, crowded slopes are far and few between. Between the rich history and funky quaintness of its town and the uncrowded beginner slopes, learning to ski at Crested Butte is a truly enjoyable experience. 

First time skiers will want to start off at the Aspen or Pine Magic Carpet at the base area. Once you can stop and make wedge turns, the Peach Tree Lift is a great lift to learn on. Once you’ve mastered the short, gentle slopes in that area, you’ll want to head up the Red Lady Express Lift. Trails like Houston, Mineral Point and Smith Hill are wide open and funnel into a flat area, which gives your new ski legs a break, on your way back to the Red Lady Express Lift. This area is also great if you’re a little more experienced, as you can begin testing your skills out in the well-spaced trees, and try out Lower Twister trail, which is an advanced beginner run, or double green circle.

Expert Skiing in Crested Butte

Welcome to Gnarlington. Renowned, infamous, notorious and celebrated as one of the baddest ski resorts in the lower 48 (states), Crested Butte’s expert and extreme inbound terrain is mind-blowing. So it comes no surprise that extreme skiing was partially born here, along with Jackson Hole, Palisades Tahoe and Alaska. Crested Butte continues to attract the world’s best extreme skiers to its steep, technical terrain. 

But the good news is that you don’t have to be a pro-skier to enjoy the Crested Butte expert skiing, however you do need to know where you’re going if you venture into the gate accessed terrain in Teocali Bowl, Paradise area off the High Lift.

If steeps, trees, rocks, cliffs and other terrain nuggets are up your alley then the Crested Butte expert terrain is yours for the taking. Crested Butte’s terrain, especially in the Paradise area, is bar none for technical skiing. If you've never skied at Crested Butte, or if you’re looking to hone your off-piste skills, we’d recommend taking the North Face Guided Group Lesson. You’ll explore all the steep skiing off of the North Face Lift.

Extreme skiing options

While all of the Crested Butte expert terrain trends towards ultra-steep, there are varying types of expert skiing. For example, Headwall of the North Face Lift, is wide-open bowl-like skiing with small rocks and cliffs to drop. While Teocali Bowl and Paradise area, where you’ll find Spellbound and Third Bowl, feature mini bowls, chutes, tight trees and huge cliffs. It’s quite important that you know where you’re going in Teocali and Paradise for obvious reasons. 

If you’re looking for expert skiing with a little less consequence or perhaps warm-up terrain, the moguled steeps of Rambo and Pinball into the steep glades of Bakery Trees is a great option. Or if you’re looking for groomed or partially groomed steeps, head to Monument into International or Hot Rocks.

Note: If you have avalanche gear, specifically a beacon, bring it! Crested Butte Ski Patrol allows the first 50 skiers with a beacon to ski the resort on a powder day.

Family vacations in Crested Butte

Choosing to book a Crested Butte family ski vacation is a no brainer thanks to its family-friendly terrain,  low-key dining scene, historic downtown, wide array of lodging options to suit nearly every family’s style and budget, stacked events calendar and off-mountain activities. Crested Butte is truly brimming with experiences and activities families can enjoy together. Both kids and parents will enjoy perusing up and down historic Elk Avenue, popping in and out of specialty shops and enjoying ice cream. And despite its reputation as an original homestead for extreme skiing, the vast majority of its terrain qualifies as intermediate, allowing the whole family to enjoy a slew of trails together.

Over 50-percent of Crested Butte’s skiing terrain is designated as intermediate, making it a perfect resort for families looking to ski together. Plus the mountain is relatively small compared with places like Breckenridge, Snowmass, or Vail, so families can comfortably separate without worrying about being apart all day. Advanced skiers in the family can pop in and out of the woods and find terrain nuggets along the trails, well less advanced skiers can meander down Crested Butte’s well-groomed, wide-open runs.

Families can explore the charming town, enjoy sledding and tubing, or visit the local ice rink. The Adventure Park offers bungee trampolines, rock climbing, and mini golf, providing fun for all ages. The town also hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the winter season.