Crested Butte Ski Vacation Guide

This town is arguably the greatest Ski Sleeper of all time. A fantastic resort destination located on the Western Slopes in the middle of Colorado, it somehow manages to be overlooked by most of the reviews. While this is a family place, it's also well known for the nightlife and especially for the Xtreme Events, that are hosted here every year. The resort opens from mid-November through the first week in April.

Ski Levels

This really is a ski resort for everyone! Kids get special attention and there is even a Kids' Trail Map. So while it's definitely a family-oriented place, there's still Teocalli Bowl, which is all double black diamond runs for the expert skier and adrenalin junkie. You'll be thrilled to find that this mountain is fully developed—more complete usage, more runs on it than most. As always, Colorado's Rocky Mountains boasts a ski patrol and instructors that are second to none, so you're assured of a safe trip and many opportunities to improve your skills and abilities. Featuring the DC Superpipe (400-foot long, 17-feet deep) DC Terrain Park, Keystone Jib Park, Painter Boy Terrain Park, and Park Pods, even boarders and aerial enthusiasts will find several degrees of ease and difficulty to hone their skills.

Après Ski

Though it's in the southern half of Colorado, the town is just 17 miles (and a rather tall mountain range) from Aspen, Colorado, so dress accordingly. A typical small mountain town, with a small population but tons to do and see. Visit the Buckeroo Beanery or Camp 4 Coffee, two internet cafès, for coffee and sandwiches. Get pizza at Brick Oven Pizzeria, fine italian food at Bacchanale,  mexican dishes at Donita's Cantina, asian at Ginger Cafe, to name a few. And like any mountain town, stay in luxury condominiums, resort hotels, or a large homes to house your entire extended family. With only 1,500 full-time residents, you can get the small town feel with all the amentities you need—and with our help, all the ski discounts and deals.

Crested Butte Snowboard Vacation Guide


Rider’s Guide

Crested Butte gets 240 inches per year and has 15 lifts including 3 high speed quads, 121 trails, and a longest run of 13,728 feet. The runs are rated 23 percent for beginners, 57 percent intermediate, and 20 percent advanced. True fearless experts can try the 40 degree Headwall. Watch for the small sign that reads "Cliff Area." It means that there is a 400 drop-off just a few feet away!

Parks and Pipes

The 2,600 foot Canaan Terrain Park is a world-renowned advanced park along the lower Canaan run. This park has a great line of tabletops, rails and kickers including a 55-foot kicker that will challenge the best. Then you can move onto the 420-foot-long superpipe, which is 55-feet wide and 18-feet high with a slope of 17 degrees. Painter Boy Park is more of an intermediate/beginner park with tabletops, rail slides and the minipipe.

Out of Bounds

There’s a tubing hill at the base that is open after the lifts close. The area is packed with exciting winter activities like snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice skating, sledding, and winter horseback riding. You might want to contact the Chamber of Commerce to get all the details. Mountain guides can provide avalanche safety courses, backcountry guiding, ice climbing, and backcountry gear rentals.

Hangout & Hookup

If you’re in a hurry to find the hottest dance scene, then just head for The Eldo. The world-famous El Dorado has a brewery and a dance floor that has to be seen to be believed. Another great dance and suds palace is The Crested Butte Brewery which mixes a microbrewery with live music and dancing. Check out the outrageous drinks at the Wooden Nickel, or if you’re in the mood for some games with your drinks, Talk of the Town has video games, shuffleboard and pool tables. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the Old West you can go have a drink Kochevar’s, which is the same bar where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once hoisted their mugs. The more upscale après ski action happy hour action can be found at Lobar or The Plaza Bar. Don’t miss the Butte 66 Roadhouse BBQ for music, dancing, fun and great BBQ.

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