12 Reasons to Spend the Holidays in Crested Butte and Gunnison
Read about why spending the holidays in the Gunnison Valley can make the holiday season even more magical:
Spending the holidays in Crested Butte and Gunnison means snowy mountain scenery, festive small-town charm, and endless winter fun. From skiing, Nordic trails, and national park adventures to tree lightings, après-ski, and New Year’s celebrations, the Gunnison Valley delivers a magical and memorable holiday experience. It’s a cozy, affordable alternative to bigger ski towns with plenty of sparkle.
- World-class downhill and cross-country skiing, plus snowmobiling, ice fishing, and winter events.
- Festive holiday celebrations, charming downtowns, après ski and family-friendly New Year’s traditions.
- Easy travel, affordable lodging and a strong chance of a white Christmas.
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Spend the holidays in Gunnison and Crested Butte and experience the charm of these cozy mountain towns. Crested Butte is nestled among snowcapped peaks, giving the colorful town a snowglobe-like look. Gunnison, which is just down the road, sports a giant Christmas tree and a decked-out downtown. From unforgettable outdoor adventures to jolly celebrations, spending the holidays in the Gunnison Valley will create lasting memories. Keep reading to learn why you should spend the most wonderful time of the year in Gunnison and Crested Butte.
1) Skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort
What is skiing at Crested Butte like?
Start a tradition of a holiday ski trip and make memories on the ski hill. Crested Butte Mountain Resort usually opens around Thanksgiving and is open for Christmas and New Year’s. Crested Butte is known for steep and extreme terrain, but groups with different ability levels can still enjoy skiing here. Our skiing and snowboarding page has zone-specific guides for the different areas at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking for the steepest run you can find, our zone guides have you covered! Learn how to ski or sharpen your skills with the Crested Butte Ski and Ride School. These talented ski instructors can help you navigate the mountain and work on the skills you want to improve.
2) Cross-country skiing in Crested Butte and Gunnison
Cross-country ski in Colorado’s “Nordic skiing capital”
The Gunnison Valley lies among two million acres of public lands and has over 1,200 miles of trails, creating many opportunities for cross-country skiing. Sometimes called the “Nordic Skiing Capital of Colorado,” Crested Butte has an amazing network of cross-country ski trails. What makes the cross-country ski trails in Crested Butte so special? They’re close to town and often on protected land. This lets you experience pristine skiing and amazing views without venturing into the backcountry.
Gunnison’s cross-country skiing offerings include groomed tracks at Dos Rios Golf Club, Van Tuyl Loop and Hartman Rocks. Dos Rios and Van Tuyl are flat options that are great for beginners. Sharpen your skills in the groomed track. More advanced options include Hartman Rocks and Mill Creek. Hartman Rocks has Nordic ski access from McCabes, the back entrance of the recreation area.
3) Experiential gift opportunities
Gift a unique experience in the Gunnison Valley
Give the gift of an experience on your trip to the Gunnison Valley. Traveling for the holidays means you have a variety of experience-based gift opportunities for family, friends and even yourself. Take advantage of experiences in the Gunnison Valley that you might not be able to have at home for an extra special holiday. Experiential gift ideas:
- A Nordic ski lesson
- A dog sledding tour
- A day of guided ice fishing
- Tickets to a show at the Center for the Arts Crested Butte
- An art class at the Gunnison Arts Center
- A guided snowmobile tour
- Tickets to a yurt dinner at the Crested Butte Nordic Center
- A soak at Waunita Hot Springs
- Tickets to a pub crawl hosted by the Crested Butte Museum
- A tasting and tour at a distillery, brewery, or winery
- A reservation for a prix fixe dinner
- A downhill ski or snowboard lesson
4) Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Experience a Colorado National Park in a new way
Check a Colorado National Park off your list with a visit to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is about 60 miles from Gunnison in Montrose, Colorado. You cannot access the whole park by car in the winter, but South Rim Drive is sometimes groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. This canyon might not be as famous or big as the Grand Canyon, but it is just as beautiful and dramatic. There are no entrance costs to the park in winter, so this is a free and fun way to experience a national park.
5) Holiday celebrations in Crested Butte and Gunnison
Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations in the Gunnison Valley
Celebrate the winter holidays with tree lightings, special services at houses of worship, gift markets, holiday concerts, visits from Santa (and Santa Paws), and more.
Holiday celebrations in Crested Butte
Light up the Night in Mt. Crested Butte is a family-friendly event. Celebrate the festive season with hot chocolate, snacks, a visit from Santa, arts and crafts, a Menorah and tree lighting, and more. There is also a small ice sculpture garden at the base area throughout the holiday season. The Gunnison Valley’s temple, B’nai Butte, hosts Hanukkah celebrations in Gunnison and Crested Butte.
Holiday celebrations in Gunnison
Gunnison’s biggest holiday celebration is Night of Lights. This event kicks off the Christmas season in the Gunnison Valley. Main Street closes to vehicle traffic and has the air of a European Christmas market. Businesses stay open late and restaurants have a cheery vibe.
Local businesses and organizations set up booths with games and sweet treats. Stop by the petting zoo and see ponies, llamas, cows and even a camel. The event culminates with Santa lighting the tree, signifying the beginning of the Christmas season.
6) Lots of après options
What is skiing without après-ski?
The tradition of ending a ski day with snacks and drinks goes back to the early days of skiing. Enjoy drinks on the mountain mid-ski day, or head to the base area or town once the day is done. Get cocktails at Montanya or Anthracite. Sip local beer at Irwin or the Eldo.
Catch some music at the Public House or the Talk of the Town. Rumors Coffee and Tea House serves up coffee, tea, and hot chocolate for a family-friendly apres. Find your après vibe here.
7) Main Street and Elk Avenue
Check out Colorado’s cutest mountain towns
While admiring the holiday decorations in downtown Gunnison and Crested Butte, be sure to check out what the businesses have to offer, too. Both downtowns have places to eat and get drinks, shops to explore, and galleries hung with beautiful art.
Elk Avenue
Historic Elk Avenue in Crested Butte is a colorful and Instagrammable sight. The historic Victorian buildings are remnants from Crested Butte’s mining days. Grab a coffee or tea and explore the shops downtown. Find everything from vintage clothes and custom felt hats to books about the area and Crested Butte-themed knick-knacks.
Learn more about Crested Butte’s history at the museum and see art in a gallery. You might also catch some live music, a common evening occurrence.
Main Street
Main Street in Gunnison has a mellower vibe than Elk Avenue. Try local craft beer, delicious seasonal cocktails and a variety of different foods. Get pizza, fresh baked goods, Spanish-inspired tapas, tacos, Himalayan fare and more. Shop for unique and hand-crafted gifts, art from local artists, locally roasted coffee and more. Stop by IOOF Park to see a mural that depicts Gunnison in every season.
8) New Year’s Celebrations
Ring in the New Year
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Crested Butte Mountain Resort with the torchlight parade. The Crested Butte Ski and Ride School instructors schuss down the mountain with torches lighting their way. Fireworks follow the parade to ring in the New Year. The festive, welcoming atmosphere is great for families. This event wraps up early in the evening, leaving plenty of time to attend a New Year’s party in town!
Most of the bars host New Year’s parties with live music. The Center for the Arts Crested Butte also hosts a ticketed New Year’s celebration every year. Ring in the New Year with dancing and drinks! Take advantage of the Gunnison Valley’s free public transportation for a safe and fun night.
9) Winter events in the Gunnison Valley
The Alley Loop, Night of Lights, Blister Summit and more
The events calendar in the Gunnison Valley is packed with fun and exciting things to do in the winter. Annual events include the Alley Loop, Night of Lights, Blister Summit and Ice Addiction fishing tournament. Learn about these events and more on our winter guide.
10) Affordable places to stay in Crested Butte and Gunnison
Find a home away from home to celebrate the holidays in the Gunnison Valley
Relative to other ski towns, the Gunnison Valley remains an affordable place to vacation. Stay in a cozy cabin worthy of a Hallmark movie. Enjoy the luxury of a ski-in/ski-out resort. Feel at home with a room in a family-owned inn.
Browse lodging options and book directly on our website. Reservations fill up fast, so be sure to book early!
11) Getting to Crested Butte and Gunnison
Fly to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC)
Catch a nonstop flight to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport from Denver, Dallas, Houston or Chicago. Flights arrive and depart from Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport every day. The airport is only about half an hour from Crested Butte. Car rentals and shuttle services are available at GUC. Save time and make the most of your trip with an easy and convenient flight!
12) Snow in Crested Butte and Gunnison
Dreaming of a white Christmas in Crested Butte?
What is perhaps the best reason to visit Crested Butte for the holidays? Snow! Picture it: snow gently falling outside the window of your vacation rental on a cozy winter morning. You’re stocked up on coffee and hot chocolate to enjoy while having breakfast before hitting the slopes.
Maybe you spend half a day skiing and then make snow angels and snowmen after lunch. Or you take your group to a local sled hill. Whatever you do, enjoy all the fun snow provides!
Visit Crested Butte for the holidays
Are you ready to experience the magic of holidays in the mountains? Start planning your winter trip to Colorado! Use our trip planning guide to plan all the details and logistics of your holiday trip.
