Crested Butte

Crested Butte is home to one of Colorado’s most authentic wild west towns, whilst the mountain above it has something for everyone – including some fantastic steep terrain.

weather Forecast today: Generally clear

Max temp: 1 °c
Min temp: -12.8 °c

Last Updated: Sun 23 Feb

weather Forecast today: Generally clear

Max temp: 1 °c
Min temp: -12.8 °c

Last Updated: Sun 23 Feb

Ski Club offerings

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26%Easy

57%Beginner

14%Intermediate

3%Advanced

Although there are some great, easy trails for beginners off the Red Lady Express chair,

most people come to Crested Butte for its steeper skiing and snowboarding – of which it possesses some of the finest in Colorado. In the form of Teocalli Bowl and the Extreme Limits, the ski resort has seriously steep in-bounds runs to rival any resort.

Add to this bountiful snowfall averaging more than 7.5m per winter and it’s easy to see why this is a highly popular result.

Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities
Advanced
Aprés
Snow
Value

Pros and cons

Some of Colorado’s – if not the USA’s – best steep skiing
Really good snow record and the powder here is very dry
Town of Crested Butte is traditional and a nice change from most US resorts

Best steep terrain can close in bad weather
Ski area a short trip from town, but you can stay at the base too
Local area of slopes a bit limited for keen piste skiers

On the Slopes

As with many of Colorado’s ski hills, the best beginner terrain sits at the base. First timers have access to a good nursery area right next to the base, served by two magic carpets and a short chairlift. From here progression on to the longer greens beneath the Red Lady Express is excellent. Intermediates will then enjoy the long blues in Paradise Bowl and down to the East River Express – check the morning’s grooming map to see where to find the best corduroy.

Crested Butte really comes alive for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders. There are some tough groomed blacks beneath the Silver Queen Express but it is the off piste that draws most people here. In good snow, the upper mountain is a huge playground for powderhounds, just make sure you enter through the gates and don’t duck any ropes. Teocalli Bowl, accessed by the new Teocalli four seater chairlift, is the highlight after fresh snowfall, just be prepared for the 10-15 minute bootpack back out.

Getting to Crested Butte

Crested Butte is around a four and a half hour drive from Denver.

Alternatively, local flights to Gunnison are available daily via Denver, Houston or Dallas and the drive from here is only half an hour.

Gunnison airport: 0.5 hours
Denver airport: 4.5 hours

Resort holidays

Crested Butte Piste Map

Crested Butte FATMAP

Top (3707m)

	Sun 23 Feb			Mon 24 Feb			Tue 25 Feb			Wed 26 Feb			Thu 27 Feb			Fri 28 Feb			Sat 1 Mar			Sun 2 Mar			Mon 3 Mar			Tue 4 Mar
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Generally clear	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Clear skies	Broken clouds	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Generally clear	Generally clear	Clear skies	Clear skies	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Mainly fair	Broken clouds	Light snow shwr	Light snow shwr	Light snow shwr	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.3 cm	0.3 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm	1.1 cm	1.1 cm	0.6 cm	0.6 cm	3.8 cm	2.6 cm	2.1 cm
Max temp	-1.8°c	1°c	-0.8°c	0.6°c	2.2°c	0.4°c	0.6°c	1.6°c	-0.4°c	-5.2°c	-3.6°c	-4.8°c	-0.6°c	2.4°c	0.4°c	2.4°c	4.6°c	2.4°c	3.2°c	5.2°c	3.4°c	2.6°c	4.2°c	2°c	-1.6°c	-0.2°c	-2°c	-4.8°c	-2.6°c	-4.2°c
Min temp	-12.8°c	-1.8°c	-5.8°c	-5.6°c	0.4°c	-7.2°c	-7.4°c	-0.4°c	-7.8°c	-11.8°c	-5.2°c	-13.4°c	-14.6°c	-0.6°c	-7.8°c	-9°c	2.4°c	-6.4°c	-7.6°c	3.2°c	-3.8°c	-6.2°c	2°c	-4.6°c	-7.2°c	-2°c	-5.2°c	-8.6°c	-4.8°c	-8.8°c
Feels like temp	-12.8°c	-1.8°c	-0.8°c	-9.1°c	-3.2°c	-2.1°c	-7.4°c	-2.6°c	-4.6°c	-11.8°c	-9.7°c	-8.2°c	-14.6°c	-0.6°c	0.3°c	-9°c	2°c	2.1°c	-7.6°c	2.7°c	2.9°c	-6.2°c	2.3°c	1.8°c	-7°c	-5°c	-5.6°c	-7.2°c	-9.7°c	-8.7°c