A guide to skiing the North Face at Crested Butte

The North Face at Crested Butte contains the mountain’s most challenging terrain. This is what people talk about when they talk about skiing at Crested Butte. Situated around 11,000 feet in elevation, the alpine terrain on this north-facing slope is characterized by rolling ridges, steep faces, pockets of trees and plenty of rocks. In this guide to skiing the North Face at Crested Butte, find descriptions of each run and tips for navigating through this notorious sector of the extreme terrain at this gnarly Colorado ski area.

Double black diamond = experts only

Other than the “easy out” runs parallel to the lift, all ski runs on the North Face are rated double black diamond. Only expert skiers should venture into this area. The runs in this zone are famous for being steep, rocky and technical. There is a mixture of open areas and glades. Cliffs and drops are tucked into every run. There are no groomed runs off the North Face Lift.

Where is the North Face Lift?

The North Face Lift is on the back side of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. To get there from the base area, ride to the top of Silver Queen. Then traverse towards the top of the Paradise Express Lift. The entrance to the North Face Lift line is about a third of the way down Paradise Bowl on skier’s right.

The North Face Lift is a T-bar. Two skiers or snowboarders ride together on each tee. The tee pulls the riders up the slope, and they gently release it at the top. Riding a T-bar can be challenging, even for experienced skiers and snowboarders. Watch how others load the lift, and ask for help if you need it. If you fall off, move out of the tow path, dust yourself off and try again!

The North Face Lift on a powder day

History of North Face Lift

Originally installed in 1987, the North Face Lift heralded a new era of freeride skiing by allowing easy access to runs that previously required hiking to get to. At this time, few other North American resorts provided lift access to such technical and difficult runs. Crested Butte quickly gained a reputation as one of the steepest ski resorts on the continent—a distinction it still holds today.

Map of the North Face

The map below shows the runs and lifts on the North Face and the surrounding area. Follow along on the map as you read the guide.

Visit Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s website for the full map and more information about the ski area.

Skiing the North Face

The west side runs

The runs on the west side of the North Face are some of the most popular Crested Butte extreme terrain. These runs—The Glades, Tower 11 Chutes, Rachel’s, Rambo and Pinball—funnel into Paradise Bowl. Skiers can then easily take another North Face lap by riding Paradise Lift, then hopping on the North Face Lift again.

• The Glades are a diverse, playful zone. Ski over open faces with small cliffs, or venture into the trees. The trees here—mostly conifers—protect the snow from sun exposure and wind, keeping it soft for many days after a storm.
• The Tower 11 Chutes dip underneath Paradise Lift. Pick your way down narrow, tree-lined chutes littered with rocks and scree.
• Not ready for double black diamond runs? Rachel’s offers a quick escape back to Paradise Bowl. This mogul run is the least steep option accessible from the North Face.
• Perhaps the most well-known run at Crested Butte, Rambo is a viciously steep clear-cut run sprinkled with knee-high saplings. Hop turns are the best way to navigate down this nearly vertical slope. With a slope angle of 55 degrees, Rambo is famous for being the steepest tree-cut run in North America.
• Brace yourself for big bumps and technical turns on Pinball. Pinball runs parallel to Rambo but isn’t as steep.

Rambo

The “gut” of the North Face

The runs in the center of the North Face are some of the most open and tree-free slopes in this zone. Take in the scenic view of the Elk Mountains before dropping in to Hard Slab, The North Face proper, Old Pro and Hawks’ Nest. These runs give skiers the option of returning to Paradise via Easy Out or continuing farther downhill into more extreme terrain.

• Hard Slab is a large, lovely mogul field that gives way to small cliffs and glades.
• Explore small rock drops or stick to more open terrain on The North Face proper.
• Zoom down steep faces and short chutes in Old Pro.
• Mogul lovers should check out Hawks’ Nest, a long, bumpy run.
• Fredo’s, which is situated above The North Face proper, offers a variety of small chutes and cliffs. Drops may be required when snow coverage is low.

Hard Slab

Sock-It-To-Me Ridge

Crested Butte Ski Patrol’s viral ominous signs on Sock-It-To-Me Ridge say it all: ski it if you dare. The precariously sheer chutes on this ridge are some of the mountain’s most difficult terrain. Cesspool and Little Hourglass require mandatory air, especially early in the season. It’s best to follow a knowledgeable friend through this area when skiing it for the first time. The Last Steep offers the easiest route down. All these runs terminate in a short traverse to the top of East River Express Lift. Take Black Eagle to the base of East River lift.

Phoenix, Spellbound and Third Bowl

Calling all sendy skiers! These legendary back bowls are Crested Butte’s crown jewels. Cliffs abound in this zone. Access these bowls by skiing straight down the road at the top of North Face Lift or by taking the Million Dollar Highway from Hawk’s Nest. All runs in this part of the mountain require a 5- to 10-minute traverse in and a 10- to 15-minute hike out towards the East River lift. Again, when skiing these bowls for the first time, follow someone who knows the terrain. It’s easy to get lost here.

• The view from the top of Spellbound Bowl is as breathtaking as the run itself. Panoramic views of the surrounding peaks almost make you forget you’re skiing in-bounds terrain. A wide cliff band at the top of Spellbound allows skiers to choose from a variety of rocks to jump off. Alternatively, ski through chutes between the boulders. At the bottom of Spellbound Bowl, stay left to ski The Edge, or continue straight downhill to get to Phoenix Bowl.
• Farther down the slope are Phoenix Bowl and Phoenix Steps. Phoenix Steps is steeper and scattered with boulders and small trees.
• Below Phoenix Steps lies Staircase, an apt name for this precipitous run.
• Highlife, which is situated at the top of Spellbound Bowl, contains some of Crested Butte’s most famous cliffs, some of which are more than 25 feet high.
• Giant boulders and large cliffs characterize Third Bowl, the farthest flung of all runs at Crested Butte. Third Bowl is often the last run on the mountain to open each season. The massive rocks and steep slopes of this bowl require deep snow cover to become navigable on skis. The best conditions are often to be had in February and March.

Highlife

More Crested Butte Mountain Resort skiing guides

• Looking for more double black diamonds? Check out the terrain off The High Lift. This lift transports you to other Crested Butte classics, including The Headwall and the Teocalli Bowls.
• Intermediate and advanced skiers seeking moguls and glades will enjoy the runs off East River Express Lift.
• Ski groomed blue runs from Paradise Express Lift, a major hub of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
• Beginner skiers, take comfort—there are plenty of green runs for you in this guide to Crested Butte’s beginner terrain. Find your way to gentle slopes via Red Lady, Painter Boy and Peachtree lifts.