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Best things to do & see in Crested Butte
A couple days ago we took a trip up the road to Crested Butte for some snowboard adventures! It was my 4th time in Crested Butte and I must say, it never gets old! I’ve visited in different seasons and I’m always amazed at the beauty of the charming mountain town. If you enjoy a dive into nature, this is the perfect place for that! The town’s remote location is ideal for a getaway that’s not too overcrowded with visitors.
Crested Butte is located in Southwest Colorado, 28 miles north of Gunnison and in the heart of the Rockies. The pedestrian friendly mining town of Crested Butte is loaded with historical buildings, shops, restaurants, museums and more! Take a stroll and disover the charm of this quaint mountain town. Up the hill, Mount Crested Butte offers 1,547 skiable acres of challenging terrain that reaches an elevation of 12,162 ft. The terrain offers everything from a beginner’s favorite groomed coast down the mountain, to steep, rocky double black diamonds with cliffs and tree runs to conquer. The resort attracts extreme skiers from around the world and even hosts the U.S. Freeskiing “Extremes” competition each year.
Nordic Ski Capital of Colorado!
Crested Butte is also known as the Nordic Ski Capital of Colorado! Discover one of the top cross-country ski destinations in the country. Crested Butte Nordic grooms 50 km. of trails for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. They offer rentals and lessons to those just getting started or that wan to improve upon their skills. One of the perks is that you can access trails right from town! Try one of their tours if you’re feeling adventurous. They can show you the best spots, whether it’s for a scenic experience or for that tough challenge you’ve been seeking.
Crested Butte in the Summertime
The winters are pretty rad, but the summertime in Crested Butte also offers a tonof exciting things to do and see! June-August are the livliest months with nearly every weekend is jam-packed with art festivals, wine festivals and concerts. Explore the vast nature surrounding the town with mountain biking, hiking, cycling, off-roading and photgraphy. Crested Butte is also known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” so you’ll want to take lots of pictures! They even have a Crested Butte Wildflower Festival in July. Take a scenic drive, hike or bike ride along a vast amount of colorful trails where you’ll exprience 360 degrees of breathtaking views. You will probably even encounter some wildlife along the way!
Top 8 attractions in Crested Butte
Mount Crested Butte Ski Resort
Mount Crested Butte offers 1,547 skiable acres of challenging terrain that reaches an elevation of 12,162 ft. The resort attracts extreme skiers from around the world as most of the resort is difficult and technical terrain. Don’t worry, it has beginner and intermediate terrain as well.
Adventure Park
Open year-round, experience Adventure Park’s bungee jump trampolines, rock wall pinnacle, and miniature golf.
Nordic Ski Capital of Colorado
Experience 50 km. of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The Center for the Arts – Alpenglow Concerts
Free outdoor concert series on Monday evenings during the summer. You can even bring chairs, food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages if you want!
Mt. CB Summer Concert Series up on the Mountain
Experience an evening of free music at the base of Mt. Crested Butte on Wednesday evenings, from late June to mid-August.
Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
Located at 331 Elk Ave in Crested Butte, the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum Preserves the history of the people who worked in the mines long before the town became what it is today.
Big Mine Ice Arena
NHL sized ice skating and hockey rink located at 620 2nd St in Crested Butte.
Crested Butte Mountain Theater
Located at 403 2nd St, in Crested Butte, the Crested Butte Mountain Theater is the longest continuously running theatre in Colorado.
Crested Butte Transportation
If you fly into the Gunnison-Crested Butte (GUC) airport, it’s only a 30-mile drive into Crested Butte. You can rent a car or just take the The Alpine Express shuttle to Crested Butte. Once you get there, you’ll have the Free Town Shuttle to take you around town and to the mountain. The Mountain Express (known as the MX) is the free bus to get around Crested Butte. With these handy options, there’s really no need to rent a car. If you are coming from Denver International Airport, it’ll take you 4.5-5 hours to get to Crested Butte, so in that case, renting a car is probably the best solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crested Butte
What transportation options are offered in Crested Butte?
- Free Town Shuttle – The Mountain Express, or MX, is the free bus to get around Crested Butte
What is Crested Butte Colorado’s population?
- 1,643 as of 2017
Where can I find Crested Butte lift tickets?
Where can I find the latest Crested Butte snow / weather report?
What is there to do in Crested Butte?
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Shopping
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Mountain Biking
- Road Biking
- Fat Biking
- Fishing
- Snowmobiling
- Ice Skating
- Dog Sledding
- Concerts
- Horseback Riding
- Sleigh Rides
- Wildflower photography
What are some upcoming events in Crested Butte?
- Pond Skim
April 11 @ 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm - Ski Town Breakdown with Ghostland Observatory
March 21 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
LOCATION: Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area - The Grand Traverse: Crested Butte to Aspen
March 27 – March 29
“Racers climb more than 6,800’ and travel more than 40 miles to complete the course.”
How far is Crested Butte from DIA?
- 4 hours & 45 minutes (251.7 miles)
How far is Crested Butte from Gunnison?
- 30 miles
What is the Elevation in Crested Butte?
- 8,909′ with ski mountain elevation of 12,162 ft
Does Crested Butte offer ski lessons?
- Yes – private lessons, adult lessons, and kid’s lessons
Does Crested Butte offer child care?
- Yes, the nursery is in the Whetstone Building
Is there free parking in Crested Butte?
- Yes, there are 2 free parking lot in town as well as free parking along Elk Avenue (downtown.)
What is Crested Butte known for?
- The Wildflower Capital of Colorado
- The Nordic Ski Capital of Colorado
- U.S. Freeskiing “Extremes” competition
What are the best Crested Butte hiking trails to see wildflowers?
- Green Lake Trail
- East River Trail
- Crested Butte Upper and Lower Loop
- Whetstone Vista Loop
- Upper Westside to Crested Butte
- Baxter Gulch Trail
- Lupine, Gunsight Connection and Lower Loop Trail
Which Crested Butte hiking trails have views of lakes?
- Judd Falls Trail
- The Copper Creek Trail
- Oh-Be-Joyful Trail
- Green Lake Trail
- Meridian Lake Loop Trail
- Maroon Pass from Crested Butte to Aspen
- Lupine, Gunsight Connection and Lower Loop Trail
