Bike and Ski in the Same Weekend in the Gunnison Valley

Some springs in the Gunnison Valley, it’s possible to bike at Hartman Rocks and ski at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR), all in the same long weekend. When Gunnison has an early thaw, Hartman Rocks can open as early as mid-March, a few weeks before Crested Butte Mountain Resort closes in early April. Experience the full spectrum of the Gunnison Valley’s best recreation opportunities in one trip. Use this sample itinerary to start planning a spring trip to bike and ski to the Gunnison Valley.

Getting Here

The best way to get to the Gunnison Valley is flying into Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC). Nonstop flights from Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH) and Dallas (DAL) mean you can get here from practically anywhere in the world. GUC is only four miles from Hartman Rocks and 31 miles from Crested Butte Mountain Resort. You can arrive and be on the trails or slopes in under an hour.

Day 1: Arrival

On day one of your trip to bike and ski, you’ll arrive and check into your lodging. Gunnison, Crested Butte and Almont offer lodging options. Almont is conveniently located between Crested Butte and Gunnison. It is about 20 miles from CBMR and 15 miles from Hartman Rocks. If you choose to stay in Crested Butte or Gunnison, take advantage of public transportation to travel up and down the valley.

Getting Around the Gunnison Valley

The Gunnison Valley has free public transportation through the Gunnison Valley RTA. Skis are allowed on the bus, and buses are equipped with front bike racks. The RTA makes multiple stops in Gunnison, one stop in Almont and finishes its loop at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Dinner and Drinks in the Gunnison Valley

The Gunnison Valley offers an impressive array of dining options. Try French cuisine at Soupçon, pizza at Mario’s, Tex-Mex at Bonez, Spanish tapas at 1880 and American fare at Blackstock Bistro, to name a few choices. Most establishments also serve locally brewed Irwin beer and crafted spirits from Montanya Rum and Anthracite Spirits. Enjoy a hearty and delicious meal after your travel day before hitting the trails.

Day 2: Biking at Hartman Rocks

Start your day with a sit-down breakfast at Backcountry Cafe or grab a coffee and pastry at Cake Me Away, both on Main Street. The best time of day to mountain bike in the spring is early afternoon, after the trails have had a chance to thaw a little. Fill your morning by exploring Gunnison’s downtown. Visit shops and galleries, including the Gunnison Arts Center. Check out IOOF Park and the mural there that depicts scenes of recreation opportunities in Gunnison.

The trails at Hartman Rocks are rocky and technical and wind through dusty fields of sagebrush. When all of Hartman Rocks is open, you have 40 miles of singletrack to choose from. Some favorite early-season trails at Hartman Rocks are Josie’s, Luge and Rattlesnake. It’s easy to link trails together at Hartman Rocks to create longer routes.

Early Season Trails at Hartman Rocks

Josie’s, Intermediate/Challenging, 1.8 miles

Josie’s can be ridden from either direction, but riding north to south allows you to end with a downhill section. The trail alternates flat sections with technical rock features.

Luge, Easy/Intermediate, 1.18 miles

Luge is fast and flowy and best ridden from south to north.

Rattlesnake, Challenging, 1.2 miles

Rattlesnake is a challenging trail and one of Hartman’s most beloved. Experience dirt singletrack, slickrock and technical rock features while riding the trail south to north.

Spring Trail Closures in the Gunnison Valley

Spring trail closures remain in place no matter when Hartman Rocks opens. All roads and trails south of Powerline Road, Bambi’s Sawtooth, Back In, 9-0, Outback, Skull Pass and Aberdeen Loop, are closed until May 15 for Gunnison sage grouse conservation. and snow and mud should be expected this early in the season.

Day 3: Skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Fuel up for the day with breakfast and coffee at Camp 4 Elk Avenue in Crested Butte or at the Coffee Lab at the base area of CBMR. Crested Butte Mountain Resort is usually 100% open in the spring, snow dependent. Terrain options span from hucking off cliffs and dipping in and out of moguls to cruising down groomers and enjoying steep blues with beautiful views. Crested Butte is broken into several different zones:

• Beginner terrain
• The Silver Queen Lift
• The Paradise Express Lift
• The East River Lift
• The Front-side Extremes
• The High Lift
• The North Face

Check out our skiing and snowboarding page to learn more. Browse our terrain guides and get stoked on the runs you want to explore.

Between runs, head to an après spot on the mountain or at the base area.

Closing Weekend at Crested Butte

Closing weekend at Crested Butte is usually the first weekend in April. This weekend is packed with fun: skiing in costumes, the pond skim, live music, performances and plenty of happy hours. This full weekend is a blast and worth the trip.

Day 4: Heading Home

Consider attending a relaxing yoga class as a reset after your bike and ski trip before heading home, as the pro skiers who attended the GCB Freeride Summit did. After two full days of biking, riding and exploring, you’ll need it!

How is biking and skiing in the same weekend possible?

Though Gunnison and Crested Butte are only 30 miles away from each other, they each have distinct climates. Gunnison is a high desert with an elevation of 7,710’. Crested Butte sits at 8,885’ and has a high alpine climate. Gunnison is on the south side of the Gunnison Valley, meaning it has shorter winters than Crested Butte. Trails in Gunnison tend to dry out earlier, oftentimes while Crested Butte is still buried under snow.

Some years, Gunnison thaws out in March while CBMR is still open. When this happens, you can experience two of the Gunnison Valley’s seasons and sports in the same trip that rarely overlap. Revel in winter while skiing and enjoy spring while biking.

What to Pack for a Spring Two-Activity Trip in Colorado

Use these packing lists to help determine your essentials for a two-sport trip. You’ll also want to consider spring weather. Spring can be snowy and cold, or sunny and warm, sometimes on the same day. Packing layers will help you dress appropriately, no matter what the weather does.

What to Pack for a Spring Bike Trip in Colorado:

• Bike helmet
• MTB shorts or pants
• Light outer shell or rain jacket
• Bike gloves
• Hydration pack or water bottles
• Bike repair tools

What to Pack for a Spring Ski Trip in Colorado

• Ski helmet
• Ski jacket and pants or bibs
• Base layers
• Mid-layer fleece or puffy jacket
• Waterproof gloves or mittens
• Skis or snowboard
• Ski boots
• Ski poles
• A costume (optional, but recommended)

Much of the hard gear, such as bikes and skis, can be rented from shops in town if you don’t want to travel with your gear. Contact ski and bike shops ahead of time to book a rental.

What to Pack for a Spring Trip to Colorado:

• Sunscreen
• Beanie
• Vest
• Mid-layer fleece
• Waterproof outer shell jacket
• Boots
• Light gloves
• Sneakers

Plan Your Trip

Are you ready to experience spring in the Rockies to the fullest? Start planning a spring trip today! Our trip planning guide has everything you need to book flights, find lodging and plan things to do.