Top 3 Reasons to Ski Crested Butte

Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers diverse terrain, stunning views, rich history, and fewer crowds than other mega-resorts. Choose from our wide selection of Crested Butte Vacation rentals and start planning your trip!


 

The Mountain

There’s no denying that the top reason to ski at Crested Butte Mountain Resort is the mountain itself and the stunning scenery that surrounds it. While the resort has a reputation for attracting advanced and expert skiers, it also a great place to learn to ski or work on your skills as an intermediate. The mountain has a balanced amount of terrain classified as 14% beginner, 25% intermediate, 25% advanced, and 36% expert. Crowds are significantly smaller compared to larger resorts, which means more time skiing and less time waiting in the lift line.

With over 50% of the mountain classified as advanced or expert, Crested Butte is one of the top destinations for adventurous skiers looking for some of the most thrilling inbounds terrain in Colorado. Over 500 acres are classified as “Extreme Limits” which are the toughest double black diamond runs on the mountain. This includes “Rambo” which is one of the steepest tree cut runs in North America with a pitch of 50 degrees. Other highlights include the Teocalli Bowl and hiking up to the peak summit from the high lift before skiing down. You can view a map of the terrain and see up to date info on the Crested Butte Mountain Resort website.
 

The Town

Crested Butte is known as “Colorado’s last great ski town” and retains its charm from the early days of skiing. Located in scenic western Colorado within the Elk Mountain Range and Gunnison National Forest, the town is in a scenic and peaceful location away from the busy I-70 corridor of crowded ski resorts. For guests arriving by plane, the nearest airport is the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional airport located about 30 minutes away.

Crested Butte was originally a supply stop for surrounding mining towns in the late 1800s, but eventually became dependent on ranching until the ski resort opened in 1960. Today much of the downtown area along Elk Street is preserved as a National Historic District. Many historic homes, shops, and restaurants line the road and make for a great place to explore in the evenings after skiing.
 

The Accommodations

Nearly all of the accommodations in Mt. Crested Butte are ski in ski out or located within walking distance of the slopes! 

The majority of visitors stay in either Mt. Crested Butte or the Town of Crested Butte. Mt. Crested Butte is located at the base of the mountain and includes the ski in ski out lodging. Crested Butte is the main town and is about 4 miles away. A free shuttle, The Mountain Express, connects the two and runs every 15 minutes during the winter. Other lodging options are further away in the town of Gunnison, which is about a 35-minute drive away.
 

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Stats:

Total Runs: 121
Longest Run: 2.6 miles
Terrain Parks: 4
Skiable Terrain: 1,547 acres
Lifts: 15

Annual snowfall: 300 inches
Base elevation: 9,100 ft.
Summit elevation: 12,162 ft.
Lift Served Vertical Drop: 2,775
Hike-To Vertical Drop: 3,062ft.

Terrain Breakdown:
Beginner: 14%
Intermediate: 25%
Advanced: 25%
Expert: 36%