Have an old-fashioned ski experience at Crested Butte Mountain Resort with lots of action on the mountain and refreshing après-ski activities at the resort and the small town of Crested Butte. The area is equally inviting in summer for hiking and mountain biking in the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado."
Note the resort’s impressive stats. The lift summit is at 12,162 feet (3,707 metres), with a vertical drop from the lift of 2,775 feet (846 metres). If you’re energetic, make a short climb to Peak Terrain to ski the full vertical of 3,062 feet (933 metres). With a lift capacity of over 20,000 people per hour and 1,547 acres (626 hectares) of skiable terrain, lift lines are short and the mountain seems uncrowded.
Ski season runs from the end of November through beginning of April. On opening day everyone skis and rides for free. When you’re not skiing or snowboarding, try the winter adventure park or zip-line course. Drive a Snow-Cat, ride a snowmobile, snowshoe, snowbike or put skins on your skis to tackle uphill trails. In the evening, enjoy the sleigh ride dinner at Uley’s Cabin or enrol your children for the kids’ night out while you have a romantic dinner.
Return to the mountain as the snow is melting for the summer season of activities. Hike among beautiful Colorado wildflowers. Mountain bike from June through September for fun or competitive glory. Do archery or disc golf on the mountain and mini-golf, rock climb and bungee trampoline at the adventure park. Fish or whitewater raft in the nearby Gunnison Valley and hike to scenic Kebler and Schofield passes.
Some of the world’s earliest freeskiing and mountain biking happened in Crested Butte. In winter, watch Big Air on Elk, with freeskiers doing tricks on the town’s main street. Stop by the museum in downtown Crested Butte to learn about the biking, the mining and the history of Crested Butte.
Drive 4 hours from Denver or fly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, 30 minutes from Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and rent a car or use the many shuttles. Once in Crested Butte enjoy the frequent free town shuttle to travel between the resort and the town. The base is at 9,375 feet (2,856 metres), quite high in elevation. Stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness, even if you’re not skiing.