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Aerial view of Crested Butte’s distinctive peak and winter ski trails.
Explore / Crested Butte

CRESTED BUTTE

📍Crested Butte, Colorado, USA

🏔️ Expert Paradise⬛ Steep & Deep🤙 Local's Favorite💎 Hidden GemUnlimited on Epic☀️ Year-round destination

Photo: Taylor Ahearn // Crested Butte Mountain Resort · Official editorial media permission · Photo details

⬇️
Vertical drop
2,700 ft
🗻
Skiable terrain
1,547 acres
❄️
Avg snowfall
236 in
🚡
Lifts
15

THE VIBE

Crested Butte's extreme terrain is the stuff of legend — the Extreme Limits area features chutes and cliffs that attract the best skiers in the world for a reason. But what truly sets CB apart is the town itself: a genuine former coal mining village with painted Victorians, no chain restaurants, and a fiercely independent spirit that money hasn't managed to erase.

Best For

  • ✓Expert skiers seeking steep terrain
  • ✓Those who value authentic ski towns
  • ✓Adventurous intermediates ready to push limits

Skip If

  • ✗You're a pure beginner
  • ✗You want easy I-70 access from Denver
📸Follow Crested Butte on Instagram

TERRAIN INTELLIGENCE

Loading times...

Daily hours & conditions ↗

Live Weather & Snow
🗺️
Loading snow map...

Regional snowpack via Ventusky

Approximate trail mix.

Difficulty Split

Beginner
7%
Intermediate
28%
Advanced
22%
Expert
43%
🎿Built for experts and steep-chasers

Mountain specs

Summit elevation
12,162 ft
Base elevation
9,375 ft
Trail map · official source
🗺️Find the latest map on the official resort site ↗Crested Butte official website
Terrain DNA · editorial
0100
Groomers40 / 100

Prepared runs and carving terrain. A higher score means groomed cruising is a more defining part of the mountain.

⛰️Altitude Guide🚐Budget Guide🐕Pet Travel⚖️Compare Resorts🚗Day Trip Finder

Resort-reported snow

BASE TRACKER

❄

Loading base report…

Official snow report ↗

SEASON PLANNING

Typically late November to early April

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗
💌

INVITE FRIENDS

Rally your crew for a trip

MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT

A few more reasons to be here.

Elk Mountains Grand Traverse

Mar 28, 2027

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

Jul 9, 2027 – Jul 18, 2027

Explore local events →

MUST-SKI RUNS

◆◆

Rambo

One of Colorado's most iconic extreme runs — a steep, narrow chute that demands commitment

■

Paradise Bowl

Intermediate cruising around Paradise; choose an open marked route that suits your group.

■

Treasury

Long intermediate cruiser through beautiful terrain — the best way to explore CB's gentler side

☀

Another season up here

BEYOND WINTER

Mountain bike park; Hiking and trail running; Scenic chairlift rides; Climbing and gem panning at the Adventure Park.

Explore summer activities ↗Make a mountain escape →
Sources & planning context

Other names · Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CB, CBMR

Our guide helps you choose a mountain and plan the kind of trip you want. Recommendations reflect our editorial judgment; source checks cover the specific details listed below.

Typically late November to early April

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗
Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗
Dogs on the mountain
No
Source ↗ · Oct 22, 2026
Pet policy
Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s published uphill-access policy prohibits pets on the mountain at any time. Do not rely on older notes suggesting dogs may use designated mountain trails. Check individual accommodation pet policies separately.
Source ↗ · Oct 22, 2026
Summer and winter destination
Yes
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Beyond winter
Mountain bike park; Hiking and trail running; Scenic chairlift rides; Climbing and gem panning at the Adventure Park.
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Official website
https://www.skicb.com/
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summit elevation (ft)
12162
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Base elevation (ft)
9375
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Skiable area (acres)
1547
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Lifts
15
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Reported average snowfall (in)
236
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs
165
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Vertical drop (ft)
2700
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

Crested Butte access ↗Gunnison airport road transfer and providers; currentroadreports. Do not treat old flight season ascurrentguarantee. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Winter arrival guide ↗Denverapproach US285/US24/US50 Monarch toGunnison thenCO135; townvsresort. Estimated4.5hoursfromDenvercity notairport; allowlonger. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crested Butte terrain choices ↗Paradise Bowl blueintermediate, notbeginnerorblack. WestWallintermediateterrain distinctfromExtremeLimits. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

City of Gunnison aquatics ↗Destination tourism lists indoor pool, open swim and lessons at200E.Spencer,GunnisonCO, notCrestedButte. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

WestWall Lodge ↗Official homepage identifies ski-in/ski-out residences at Mt.CrestedButte base,14HunterHillRoad; studio/one-,two-,three-bedroom and pet-friendly residence categories. Does not place extreme chutes directly above lodge. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Old Town Inn ↗Official indexed homepage identifies town inn within walking access of downtown, with queen/king/suite rooms, mini-fridges, breakfast, outdoor hot tub, selected pet rooms, town-shuttle access and free ski storage at base-area ski shop. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Elevation Hotel & Spa ↗Retained verified property evidence; no new research. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Nordic Inn ↗Retained verified property evidence; no new research. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Grand Lodge Crested Butte ↗Retained verified property evidence; no new research. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crested Butte Ski & Ride School ↗Group/private ski and snowboard lessons; lift access and rentals normally separate. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Christy Sports Treasury Center ↗Base-area shop rents ski/snowboard gear, tunes equipment and fits boots; same Flatiron phone. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Mt Crested Butte master plan ↗Historical tenant table connects Christy’s Sports and Flatiron Sports in Treasury Building. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crested Butte guest services ↗Resort Rental & Demo Center is in Treasury Building; school sales contact listed. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crested Butte ski and snowboard rentals ↗Online packages and eligible pass-holder benefits; advance and pass offers explicitly promoted. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Alpineer — retained reviewed branch ↗Downtown specialty rentals, repair and boot fitting. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Secret Stash operator ↗Secret Stash pizza, 303 Elk Ave, Crested Butte. No reservations. Inventive pizza combinations, wings, salads and kids pasta. Notorious F.I.G. ingredients include mozzarella, bleu and asiago, prosciutto, dried black mission figs and truffle oil. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Soupçon operator ↗Soupçon in a quiet downtown alley, historic1800s cabin. French-inspired fine dining, seasonal intentionally sourced ingredients. 127 Elk Ave A, behind Kochevars. Book reservation. Operating-day text refers to Summer2026 and conflicts Monday–Saturday/7days; no schedule promoted. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crested Butte resort: Butte 66 ↗Butte 66 at Treasury Building. Full-service dining with mountain views and outdoor deck for relaxing after the day; smokehouse-style dishes and salads. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crested Butte operator basecamp FAQ ↗Butte 66 is in the base area and an après spot with mountain-view deck. Treasury Building in base area. Operator-owned dining locations do not serve dinner; town dinner options available. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Uley's Cabin | Crested Butte Mountain Resort ↗Uley’s Cabin: on-mountain ski/snowboard access only, gourmet Colorado-inspired lunches, rustic cabin and outdoor grill. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

  • Crested Butte — official homepage ↗

    Homepage reference from an earlier review. The dated checks above identify the details supported by other sources.

  • Vail Resorts — 2026/27 opening dates (August 18, 2026) ↗

    Published planned season dates, subject to conditions.

  • Crested Butte: uphill-access policy ↗

    The operator explicitly prohibits pets on the mountain; corrects the previous unsourced permission. Checked October 22, 2026.

  • Summer in the Mountains ↗

    Mountain bike park; Hiking and trail running; Scenic chairlift rides; Climbing and gem panning at the Adventure Park.

  • Crested Butte Mountain Information ↗

    The official Crested Butte Mountain Information page states the asserted mountain facts.

  • Crested Butte — First Time Visitors Guide ↗

    The Mountain section publishes 2,700 vertical feet.

SEE YOU UP THERE.

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Questions & good ideas

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