Winter in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Steep Colorado skiing

Looking for a winter adventure? Find your edge on the infamous double-black-diamond ski runs at Crested Butte Mountain Resort! Crested Butte still holds true to its roots as one of the birthplaces of freeskiing in the 1980s. Ride the T-bars and shred the extreme terrain like so many thrill-seekers before you!

In addition to downhill skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, glide over cross-country ski trails through pristine public lands just steps from town. Or give fat biking a try!

mountain towns of the Gunnison Valley

It’s easy to fall in love with the picturesque historic buildings and vibrant atmosphere of Crested Butte. From the brightly painted town buses to the jewel-toned townie bikes that locals ride even in winter, Crested Butte puts a new spin on “Colorful Colorado.”

28 miles south, Gunnison is an easygoing college town with a heart for outdoor recreation. Gunnison is home to Western Colorado University and also boasts a lively downtown. The 30-foot-tall Christmas tree in the middle of the street gives the town a unique holiday spirit!

Learn more about visiting

If you’re interested in epic Colorado skiing, stunning mountain scenery and the coolest mountain towns around, learn more about visiting Crested Butte and Gunnison by clicking the button below.

Visit Crested Butte and Gunnison

Watch the video: epic Colorado skiing in Crested Butte

Watch the video below for a taste of extreme skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Video by Matchstick Productions.

An aerial view of a lake in the mountains surrounded by trees

PLAN YOUR SKI TRIP TO CRESTED BUTTE AND GUNNISON

Traveling to Colorado

It’s time to start planning your winter vacation to Colorado, and you probably have a lot of questions. Should you drive here, or fly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport? Will you rent a cozy cabin downtown or stay in a ski-in, ski-out hotel? What are the most popular things to do in Crested Butte and Gunnison? Our guide to visiting the Gunnison Valley will point you in the right direction.

Start planning your trip

Hotels and lodging

Accommodations in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Looking for a hotel, vacation rental or cabin for your fall trip to Colorado? Input the dates of your trip to compare prices and amenities of lodging across the Gunnison Valley.

Tips for skiing Crested Butte

Make this the year you finally ski the legendary extreme terrain at Crested Butte Mountain Resort! Explore steep chutes, tight trees and rocky cliffs, all surrounded by pristine Rocky Mountain views. Get helpful tips and learn your way around the mountain with our guide to skiing Crested Butte. Click the button below to get all the details!

Ski the steeps

Visit Crested Butte and Gunnison and you just might meet other entrepreneurs, such as the two founders of Gnara, pictured here in a van.

Gunnison Crested Butte Economic Development

Resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs

You’ll find the hardworking people of the Gunnison Valley everywhere you look—inside the shops downtown, out on the singletrack, and even on the chairlift. The rugged surroundings of Gunnison and Crested Butte and the memorable experiences they offer have drawn many innovators to the valley. These mountains are the perfect setting for developing an outdoor business or product. Join the budding community of outdoor industry small businesses here!

LEARN MORE

Travel safe and leave no trace

As you explore the Gunnison Valley’s beautiful backcountry this winter, keep yourself safe and the landscape pristine. Venturing out on a backcountry ski tour? Learn more about Crested Butte’s very own avalanche forecast center. Going cross country skiing? Plan your route ahead of time to make sure you’re not traveling on trails that are closed in winter.

Stay safe, stay the trail

A group of people dressed like dinosaurs on skinny skis on a snowy road

Events in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Whether you’re looking for live music, races, kids activities or one of Crested Butte’s famous parades, the events calendar has it all.

Browse the calendar

Colorado mountain biking paradise

800+ miles of trail

The Gunnison Valley’s pristine public lands contain more than 150 mountain bike trails—that’s more than 800 miles! From the craggy ridges of Hartman Rocks in Gunnison to the soaring, flower-filled peaks of Crested Butte, no two rides are the same. Mountain bikers make the pilgrimage to Crested Butte for famous trails like Teocalli Ridge and Doctor Park, and they keep coming back to explore less-traveled gems like Star Pass, Strawberry and the 409s.

To plan a Colorado mountain biking trip to Crested Butte and Gunnison, you’ll need maps, trail descriptions and local travel tips. We covered all the bases in our mountain biking guide. Tap or click the button below to get started!

Plan your rides

COLORADO SKIING TRIP INSPIRATION

Need advice on things to do and places to go on your adventure to Crested Butte and Gunnison? These articles can get you started. Find tips about the best ski runs at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, winter trip itineraries and more.