Crested Butte Deals & Travel Info
Crested Butte is a ski resort that is home to many extremes. From technical terrain to family friendly slopes, this charming mountain resort is home to it all. After a good snowfall, the upper part of Crested Butte offers an abundance of terrain from steeps, chutes and bowls, to even a cliff jump or two. Just a few miles from the base of the mountain you will find Crested Butte, a charming town crawling with shops, restaurants, and an overall outdoor lifestyle.
Mountain Stats
- Trails: 121
- Skiable Terrain: 1,547 Acres
- Total Lifts: 15
- Avg. Snowfall: 236"
- Vertical Rise: 2,775' (Lift-Served)
- Vertical Rise: 3,062' (Hiking)
- Peak Elevation 12,162'
- Base Elevation 9,375'
Crested Butte Ski Resort Highlights
This is an expert ski resort with extreme terrain and a down-to-earth atmosphere that is perfect for families or the average adventure seeking ski bum.
- Located 4.5 hours from Denver over Monarch Pass
- Extreme upper mountain terrain
- Ideal family ski town
- Uncrowded lift lines and ski slopes
- Fantastic value for the money
- Charming town full of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife
Getting to Crested Butte
You can fly directly into the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport and take a short drive up to the Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort. If you’re looking for a road trip, this ski resort is a 4.5-hour drive from Denver over Monarch Pass along US-50. If you’re coming from the west, US-50 has occasional lane closures from road construction, so plan accordingly or consider an alternate route.
Crested Butte, CO FAQ
The Crested Butte Ski Resort doesn’t offer all the glitz and glamour of Aspen. However, this ski resort offers a comfortable, down-to-earth atmosphere loved by families and ski bums across the state. The terrain is some of the most extreme that you’ll find in a Colorado Ski Resort; it’s almost incomparable to any others.
Yes, there are many green-rated slopes, perfect for beginners on the front side of the mountain. You’ll find that the beginner slopes are less crowded than other starter slopes.
Generally, Crested Butte is known for its extreme terrain. In fact, Crested Butte’s signature terrain is its double black diamond slopes and the resort has hosted various extreme freeskiing competitions. While much of the upper mountain is harder to navigate, there are still many starter slopes. The statistics for the mountain are 18% beginner, 29% intermediate, 21% advanced, and 32% expert.
Crested Butte is a quaint town, so you can simply park in town and ride the free Mountain Express bus, or you can park at the base of the resort in one of the several lots. There are two free lots (Snowmass and Rasta) or you can park in the main lot for a $15 or $20 fee depending on the season.
Usually, February is the best month to ski in Colorado. If you’re looking to tackle the terrain at Crested Butte, the best time to go is between February and mid-March. The snowfall during this time is the most they’ll see all season, and the snowpack from earlier creates the perfect base. Plus, you’re more likely to hit those bluebird days between February and March!
Tips for Skiing at Crested Butte
Avoid skiing fresh powder in the Tower 11 Chutes when the snowpack is thin. The Tower 11 Chutes are accessible from Paradise Bowl. Don’t fall for the illusion of fresh snow in these chutes because the rocks are hidden just below the powder.
Take the High Lift T-Bar and hike around to the top of the headwall. Smack in the center of the face is a large square rock that locals call Box Rock. It’s a great air that can be taken from 10 to 30 feet depending on your speed, and it has a clear run-out.
Ride the free Mountain Express shuttle. The Mountain Express shuttle is a free transportation service that drops you off directly at the base of the resort. Beat the morning crowds by removing the daunting task of searching for a place to park.
Take the North Face Lift for the best expert skiing. If you’re looking to ski some of Crested Butte’s signature terrain and double black runs, the best access is from the North Face T-Bar. The Phoenix, Spellbound, and Third Bowl are located near this lift with cliffs, trees, and rocks made for the most expert skier. The rest of the double black runs are accessed from the Silver Queen Express Lift!