Crested Butte Mountain Resort

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado offer plenty of venues to enjoy winter sport, and the Crested Butte Mountain Resort is one of them. From humble origins on a ranch in 1960 through today's groomed acreage, it has developed a reputation among residents of Crested Butte and beyond.

Traveling by air is easy if one flies into the Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport that sits 30-minutes away from the ski area. Car rentals and airport transfers are available. Both Interstate 25 and 70 are a fair distance from here, so traveling by vehicle is done on US Route 50 or 285 before transferring to Colorado Highway 135.

Where the Pros Go

The Crested Butte Mountain Resort ranks high among advanced skiers and snowboarders for a reason. It provides family-friendly hospitality coupled with rugged terrain. With over 1,547 acres of skiable lands, this winter resort symbolizes the wide-open West.

The summit towers at 12,162 feet over the base elevation of 9,375 feet. Its lift-served verticle drop of 2,775 feet is extendable to 3,062 feet with a small hike. Plenty of bombing (intentional or not) is waiting, so guests need to bring their brain-buckets.

The Crested Butte Mountain Resort maintains 121 winter trails for exploring. Less than half the mountain is rated green (18-percent) or blue (29-percent), leaving half of the skiable acres rating as black diamond (21-percent) and double diamond (32-percent). Ski bums with the skill set can attack the mountain's advanced/expert terrain and discover their limits.

Early birds at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort can also enjoy uphill adventures before 8:45 for skinning or daytime if snowshoeing is their thing. The resort's Uphill Policy keeps it safe and fun, so visitors must obey time restrictions and signals.

Down Home Vibe

The Crested Butte Mountain Resort started when two men bought a ranch on Mount Crested Butte. It might have taken a decade to get into full swing, but today's mountain offers skiers lifts and services while the town offers all the amenities desired after the day is over.

Roughly 297 acres are capable of snowmaking, which enhances the average annual snowfall of 234 inches. That gives rippers and shredders plenty of opportunities to cut fresh tracks after a storm dumps fresh powder. Crested Butte Mountain Resort maintains avalanche control regularly as storms leave new accumulations.

Well over a dozen lifts service the Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Magic carpets, surface lifts, and multiple chairs run across the ski area. Guests will not have to wait in long lines, especially when hitting the extreme terrain sections.

Rippers and shredders who like to work on various features can enjoy Ten Peaks Progression Park and Lower Twister Terrain Park. The Lower Twister is newer and provides larger features compared to those found on Ten Peaks.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers group and private lessons, equipment rentals and supports two specialty programs. Guests have access to locker rentals and ski valet while here. Dining and shopping can be found at base or in town.