See it All in 48 Hours: A Winter Guide to Crested Butte/Gunnison
Crested Butte has more historic Old West charm than you can shake a ski pole at. Residents work hard to maintain its flair and authenticity. One look at the snow capped Elk Mountain range and it’s easy to see why the slopes of Crested Butte enjoy legendary status as some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world.
The smorgasbord of winter fun just begins on the slopes. There’s lots to do in this winter wonderland: snowshoe & cross-country ski trails, snow tubing, ice fishing, fat biking, and an extensive web of snowmobiling trails. And did we mention dog sledding?
To maximize time, book a stay at one of the several "ski in/ski out" accommodations that are available. Axtel Condominiums is located in Village Center at the base of the high-speed Silver Queen chairlift and provides access to the longest runs in the resort. It’s is a great family-friendly option. However, downtown and the resort are only three miles apart so everything is easy to access. For a great bird's eye view try the Columbine, one the resorts located highest on the mountain.
Or if you’ve got a bit more time than money, take a look at the "Gunnison Getaway" deal. Crested Butte Mountain Resort and a range of properties in Gunnison (about 30 miles away from Crested Butte) have partnered to offer lift ticket and lodging packages that cost less than you expect. Everything is conveniently connected with a free shuttle. And if you’re traveling from out of state, stay a little bit longer than the weekend for cheaper airfare.
Day One:
Larry Lamsa
Fuel up right with a hearty breakfast. Caffeinate your day with Camp 4 Coffee or for a more traditional sit down for a meal at Revelden. Often touted as some of the best food in town, Revelden's daily, fresh offerings and gluten-free options are a hit. Once you have a full belly, it’s time to get down to business.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is home to 1,547 skiable acres, 15 lifts, and 121 trails, so every level of skier or snowboarder is catered to with remarkable runs for everyone. One of the best aspects of Crested Butte is the way that the runs are laid out. The flow down the hill creates trails that link up, making it easy for everyone to meet up for lunch together at the Avalanche Bar & Grill for a burger or at Jefe’s to indulge in traditional Mexican food.
57% of the mountain is devoted to intermediate and expert terrain. Those who love daring, tight, technical, terrain will love challenging the best steeps around within the extreme limits of inbounds, double-black diamond terrain. Wear out your legs doing laps on the High Lift and North Face T-bars with runs like Headwall, Teocalli, Spellbound, and Phoenix Bowl.
Corey Leopold
For the true adrenaline junkies, earn your bragging rights by having conquered the steepest cut ski run in North America on the sustained 50-degree pitch of Rambo—where there is no shame in feeling nervous about dropping in. Note that many of the runs in "the extremes" aren’t listed on the trail map, so checking in with a local expert is the best way to find out what's good while there. If you have the time, the resort offers free tours of the mountain, but there is one more way to find the gnarliest runs—the CB Extreme app (available for Android and iOS). This app has the skinny on extreme terrain and is getting a new update for the 2017 / 2018 ski season. It’s like having a local in your pocket!
A favorite post-mountain watering hole is the Secret Stash. Known for their unique topping combinations with names like Notorious F.I.G., Buddha's Belly, and Steazy Ryder, it’s arguably the best pizza in Crested Butte. For a fine dining adventure with French flair, make a reservation for the Uley’s Cabin Sleigh Ride Dinner. Snuggle up with your sweetie under a cozy blanket in a horse drawn sleigh while winding through the cotton candy landscape.
Think you can keep your eyes open a little bit longer? A perennial favorite is Talk of The Town. This classic bar and restaurant is in a historic two-story building with a jukebox, video games, giant Jenga, pool tables, and often features a DJ spinning an inspired dance party. A host of bars downtown also offer live music and there is a very active winter program of special events.
Day 2
Larry Lamsa
Sleep in. Just kidding, there is wayy too much to do here! Get up early to avoid the crowd and grab breakfast at Izzy’s, but brace yourself for pancakes bigger than your head—and ask about the story behind their sourdough.
If you think the downhill action at Crested Butte Mountain is epic enough, brace yourself. Rent a pair of nordic skis or snowshoes and spend the morning on some of the groomed trails in the area. In the summer months Crested Butte also has a reputation as a world-class mountain biking destination, so it should come as no surprise that with the rise of fat biking, it’s making strides as a ‘go to’ location for this fledgling sport. There are a few rental options in the valley and loads of trails to explore—Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven is one of several local shops that can point you in the right direction.
For a quick bite between activities, try out the aptly named Pitas In Paradise and don’t be ashamed to order extra tzatziki sauce. This friendly restaurant has better-than-average selections for vegetarians.
TRAILSOURCE.COM
It’s time to give the legs a break and let something else do the work for while. Ready to blow up Instagram? Book a dog sledding lesson from one of the dog-sled tour operators in the area for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Options include a couple of hours tour or full day trips and guests can be as active as they choose. Take a thrilling ride with an experienced guide or take a lesson and learn to mush for yourself, either way making memories unlike any other. Upgrade the size of your winter transportation mammal if you’d like to explore the mountains on horseback with an outfitter.
Adrenaline seekers might prefer to rent a couple of snowmobiles and explore the wealth of pristine backcountry the Rockies are known for. It’s the most fun to be had in the snow while sitting down and a great way to collect a new mode of transportation for the bucket list. Self guided and guided tours are available.
After two days, you’ll have mountains of memories—and we bet you’ll already be scheming your next visit! Winter adventures in the Gunnison / Crested Butte pack in so much fun, it’s a shame that 48 hours can fly by so quickly. If you’re dreaming of steep ski runs, pristine backcountry snowshoe trails, or fat biking along winter versions of the region’s legendary trails, chances are you’ll soon find your way back to this unique Colorado playground.
Written by Lisa Collard for RootsRated in partnership with Crested Butte & the Gunnison Valley | The Home of Mountain Biking and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].
Featured image provided by lamoix
Asa Firestone was born with an entrepreneurial spirit and has cultivated hospitality expertise in the picturesque landscapes of Lyons and Boulder, Colorado. As the co-owner of the A Lodge, his journey epitomizes dedication, innovation, and a deep-rooted commitment to community.
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