Crested Butte FAQ's
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Crested Butte has approximately 1,600 year-round residents while Mt. Crested Butte has about 700 residents. The population of Gunnison County is a little over 14,000.
The town of Crested Butte resides at 8,885 feet and the peak of Mt. Crested Butte is 12,162 feet.
The Gunnison / Crested Butte Airport (airport code GUC) is located about 30 miles from Crested Butte in Gunnison and is serviced by United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines. Air Service changes seasonally but is always reliable since Gunnison has the second longest runway in Colorado behind Denver International Airport.
The town of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte have a free transportation system second to none. Year round buses are running between the resort and town virtually eliminating the need for a car while you're here.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is located in Mt. Crested Butte just 3 miles from the center of the historic mining town of Crested Butte. Under new management and with over 200 million invested in the last 4 years, it encompasses over 1,100 acres of terrain ranging from beginner to expert. World class accommodations and dining put Crested Butte on par with any other ski resort you'll find. With over 2,700 vertical feet of paradise serviced by fourteen chairlifts, no wonder the U.S. Extreme Freeskiing championships are held here.
Crested Butte is a quaint 1880's historic mining town that is a Registered National Historic District. In 2008 the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Crested Butte one of its "Dozen Distinctive Destinations". Richard Moe, President of the NTHP says "Filled with endless recreational opportunities no matter the time of year, this authentic mountain town is arguably one of the most charming vacation destinations in the Rockies."
Michael Carlton of The Denver Post once said that "Crested Butte has more fine restaurants per capita than any other town in the U.S." With everything from sandwiches and burritos, to gourmet pizza, sushi, chop houses, and French cuisine, the toughest thing about dining in this mountain town is choosing where to go. Rest assured, wherever you choose, you won't be disappointed. The shopping is just as fantastic with locally owned boutiques offering everything from precious stones and artwork, to mountain gear and custom furniture.
Crested Butte shines in all seasons with so many outdoor activities available it boggles the mind. In summer, there is mountain biking on epic trails, hiking in aspen forests, fishing in pristine rivers, lakes and streams, and of course whitewater rafting and kayaking in class II-IV rapids. Camping is available in the Gunnison National Forest from primitive to full-service campgrounds. Colorado's largest lake, Blue Mesa is nearby and offers boating and all water sports. While you're here, take a horse back ride in the Rocky Mountains and experience the spectacular scenery as never before. If you are looking for something in town, then take in one of our many festivals. Crested Butte is the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" and our annual wildflower festival draws people from all over the world. The Arts Festival, Fat Tire Bike Week, music festival, and film festival all insure there is never a dull moment in this corner of paradise. And if all of this sounds like too much to take in, then find a quiet spot with a good book next to one of our mountain streams and take in the sun. We get over 300 days of perfect sunshine a year!
Fall brings the aspen trees' changing colors which are nothing short of breathtaking as the greens of summer give way to the brilliant gold and oranges of the mountain foliage. In winter, we are blessed with an average 300 inches of snow on the mountain. Winter of 2007/2008 saw over 400 inches! Crested Butte has long been called "Colorado's Last Great Ski Town" and it forges into the future with a firm hold on that title. The unique variety of people and businesses on the mountain insure that every vacation to CB is memorable. In addition to the ski resort, Crested Butte boasts some of the finest snowmobiling around. If you are looking for something off the beaten path, then take a dogsled ride through the back-country or strap on the cross-country skis and hit one of our Nordic trails.
Whatever your sport, whatever your season, Crested Butte has something for everyone in the family, so give us a call at Iron Horse Property Management and make your CB vacation a reality!