Crested ButteCrested Butte is a funky little ski town located in the Gunnison Valley of southwest Colorado. With less than 2,000 year-round residents, the town is quaint, personal, and... well, let's just call it "ecclectic." While Crested Butte is best known for mountain biking in the summer and skiing "Colorado's Best Corduroy" or the legendary Extremes, there is so much more! Mt. Crested Butte is located at 9,000+ feet above sea level, so you may notice the air gets a little "thinner" up here. But you'll acclimatize in no time! Drink lots of water to avoid dehydrating in the dry climate. And wear lots of sunscreen - any season - as the sun is quite strong. Want to check in on Crested Butte right now? Take a peek using these web cams:
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Summer
In the summer, you can mountain bike on trails ranging from beginner to expert skill levels; hike seemingly endless choices of trails that lead you through beautiful fields of wildflowers or up to high alpine lakes; or fish in the numerous lakes and rivers of the Gunnison Valley. Crested Butte is known as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado." Come in mid- to late-July to witness the peak blooming season. Ride the lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (mid-June through Labor Day) to enjoy the views of the valley from above. Want to hike to the peak? It's a moderate 45-minute hike to the top on a well-marked trail. But get an early start and check the weather before you go. Thunderstorms are common on summer afternoons. You can also bring your bike and ride down the well-marked trails ranging from beginner to advanced. Crested Butte boasts some of the most fun and zany activities around! In the summer, Fat Tire Bike Week at the end of June brings the Chainless Bike Race and other crazy events to keep every bike enthusiast occupied. Fourth of July on Elk Avenue is nothing short of spectacular! The Wildflower Festival (July) and Wild Mushroom Festival (August) combine both fun and education. And the Arts Fair (August) is always a blast, featuring local and out-of-town artists lining the streets of Elk Avenue with an assortment of paintings, sculptures and other unique works of art. Live music plays throughout the day to entertain all musical tastes. Take in some tunes under the backdrop of Crested Butte mountain during our free outdoor summer concert series on select Monday nights. And check out Cattlemen's Days (July) in Gunnison, the oldest rodeo in Colorado. For a complete listing of summer events and activities in the Gunnison Valley, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. Fall
Autumn in Crested Butte lights up the valley with the golden hues from changing Aspen leaves. It's the perfect time to take a scenic car ride over Cottonwood Pass to enjoy the fall colors. Or head out on foot to get really up close and personal with the colors. Fall is a favorite time to head out on the mountain bike, as the crisp air and bright sun make a delightful combination for riding. While the peak colors vary from season to season, based on a number of variables, such as moisture levels in summer and winter and the temperature, leaves generally begin turning around mid-September at higher elevations, and late-September a little lower. If you travel to Crested Butte between October and November, you will find that parts of Crested Butte close down during the" off-season." While many dining, entertainment, and shopping establishments will be open during this slower tourist season, some will post the "Shut" sign and head out of dodge to relax following a busy summer and refresh in preparation for winter. Winter
Whether you snowshoe, downhill ski at the resort, cross-country ski and/or skate ski throughout the extensive groomed trail system, or head to the backcountry to ski your very own secret stash, there are plenty of ways to experience the joy of winter in the mountains. Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers skiing and snowboarding for beginners to experts. With 15 lifts on over 1,000 acres, you'll find plenty of variety to please all types of skiers & boarders. The ski resort is open from mid-November through early-April. Dining options are plentiful in Crested Butte. Grab a quick bite at Teocalli Tamale, enjoy a leisurely gourmet meat at Harry's Fine Dining, or anything in between. For a comprehensive list of Dining options, visit www.skicb.com. Crested Butte has a variety of events in the winter, too. Spectacular fireworks shows and torchlight parades are held on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. Crested Butte Mountain Resort hosts a series of four Park and Pipe competitions (Dec - April), the US Extreme Freeski Championships (February), and the Telemark Extremes (March). Spectators are invited at all of these events. The Winter Carnival (February) offers the Alley Loop Nordic Ski Race, Ice Bowling, Putt-Putt Golf, and many more crazy winter games, including a favorite by all who witness it... the Big Air competition. Celebrate Mardi Gras with a parade down Elk Avenue or by attending other costumed-events. The Al Johnson Memorial Uphill/Downhill Telemark Ski Race (March) will delight as free-heel, telemark skiers ascend 600 vertical feet before skiing down through the "Last Steep." Donned in wacky costumes, of course. That's Crested Butte-style. If that's not extreme enough for you, check out the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse (April), a 40 mile race through the mountains starting in Crested Butte and finishing in Aspen. For a complete list of winter events and activities in the Gunnison Valley, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. |
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