Crested Butte ski gear guide

TL;DR:

All the gear involved with skiing can make getting into the sport intimidating. This guide has information about Crested Butte’s terrain and weather, types of skis for different conditions, and thoughts on renting or buying gear to help you pack for a Crested Butte ski trip. 

• Crested Butte’s terrain is mostly rocky and steep. 
• Colorado winter weather can be unpredictable. Known for sunny winter days, it can get surprisingly warm during the day. If it’s cloudy, snowing or windy, it can be very cold. Make sure you layer to accommodate different weather conditions. 
• Skis should be picked based on the snow conditions you’ll be skiing: powder or packed snow. 
• Other hard goods for skiing include boots, helmets, goggles, bindings and poles. 

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Planning a ski trip to Crested Butte, but not sure what equipment to bring? Use this Crested Butte ski gear guide to learn about skis, snowboards, outerwear and other gear to bring on your winter trip to the Gunnison Valley. Discover how to choose gear and clothing appropriate for Crested Butte’s unique snow conditions and weather.

What makes Crested Butte unique

Several features set Crested Butte Mountain Resort apart from other ski areas:

The high altitude: Crested Butte’s base area lies at 9,380 feet above sea level, with the peak topping out at 12,162. The thin air and cold temperatures preserve the snow, keeping conditions good long after a storm.

Steep, rocky terrain: They don’t call ‘em the Rocky Mountains for nothing! Many of Crested Butte’s slopes, especially in the extremes, are covered in boulders and scree. This makes for interesting, technical skiing, with many opportunities to jump off said rocks (if you’re into that).

Dense glades: Trees grow close together at Crested Butte, providing a challenge for skiers and snowboarders to navigate.

Winter weather in Crested Butte

Here in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountain, clear, sunny days give way to cold nights. Prepare for wide temperature swings. High temperatures during winter usually range from the teens to the mid-30s; lows can dip well below zero on the coldest, darkest days around the winter solstice. On clear days, the abundant sunshine makes it feel warmer than the thermometer may show. Snowstorms usher in higher temperatures, with smaller swings between day and night. Check our weather cams page for real-time weather conditions.

What skis are best for Crested Butte

The best skis or snowboard for you will depend on snow conditions and what terrain you plan to explore during your trip.

Choose different skis for fresh snow versus firm, packed-down snow.

Powder: Choose a wide ski or snowboard that will float on top of the snow rather than sinking in. Pick a ski that is at least 105mm underfoot. Most of Crested Butte’s black diamond and double black diamond runs are not groomed, so a wider ski works best there, even if it hasn’t snowed in a while.

Packed snow: Choose a narrower, all-mountain ski or board. These days, all-mountain skis range from 85-105mm underfoot.

Learn your way around the mountain with our helpful guide to skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte.

Pick skis that agree with the terrain you’ll be navigating through.

Moguls and trees: Use a slightly shorter ski to help you turn quickly on bumps and in tight glades.

Groomed runs: A longer, narrower ski carves neat turns on corduroy and keeps you stable at high speeds.

Other hard goods

Boots: Ski boots are very personal. Choose a stiffness that aligns with your weight, power and skiing ability. The bigger you are and the more aggressively you ski, the higher flex you’ll want. A professional boot fitter will help you find a boot that fits your foot and leg shape. The same goes for snowboard boots.

Bindings: Any indemnified alpine ski or snowboard binding will work. The binding size should match your boot size. Always have bindings adjusted to your boots by a professional before hitting the slopes.

Helmet: These days, everybody wears helmets while skiing or snowboarding. A helmet protects your head while keeping it warm. Many helmets feature adjustable vents. Keep your vents closed when you’re cold or while it’s snowing to prevent flakes from getting in; open vents when you’re hiking into Crested Butte’s back bowls or to cool off on warm, sunny days.

Goggles: Improve your vision and keep your eyes protected from the elements with a pair of ski goggles. Sunglasses are an acceptable substitute only on the warmest spring days.

Poles: Any pole of the correct length will do. Ask a gear shop professional to size you for poles.

Renting vs. buying

After reading this ski gear guide, you might be wondering whether you should buy your own gear. Beginners often choose to rent gear until they have refined their preferences. Intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders often benefit from owning gear customized to their taste and ability level. The good news is, whether you’re renting or buying equipment, you’ll be able to do it at one of the Gunnison Valley’s many shops. Here you’ll find experienced employees who are eager to share their advice for picking gear suited to skiing Crested Butte.

Renting ski or snowboard equipment: Shops in Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte rent out skis, boots, poles and helmets. A technician will fit you for gear. Equipment for all ability levels is available. Experts may choose a “demo” package, which gives the user a choice of ski. Swap out different skis or boards depending on the day’s snow conditions.

Buying equipment: Ski shops across the Gunnison Valley also sell ski and snowboard gear. An associate can help you pick gear suited to your size and ability level. Professional boot fitters will customize ski boots to fit your foot and leg.

Soft goods

Check the weather forecast before heading up to the mountain to help guide you on how warmly to dress. Wind speed plays a big part in how cold you’ll feel.

All the soft goods listed below can be purchased at ski shops in Gunnison, Crested Butte and on the mountain.

Jacket: Wear a waterproof ski jacket of your preferred insulation level. Jackets with armpit zippers (or “pit zips,” as many Gunnison Valley locals call them) will vastly improve your ability to adjust your temperature as the day warms up.

Pants: Don waterproof ski pants. Most ski pants feature elastic cuffs to keep snow out of your boots. Vents are also common on ski pants — open them up to cool off, and be sure to zip them closed before heading into the powder!

Gloves: A good pair of gloves will keep your hands warm and dry from first chair to the closing bell. If you take a look around in the lift line, you’ll see many Gunnison Valley locals wearing leather work gloves that they have coated in beeswax waterproofing treatment. These low-cost gloves work well for most conditions. However, on the coldest days, more insulated gloves may be necessary.

Socks: Purchase a pair of high-quality, wool ski socks to wear during your trip. Boot fitters recommend thin socks, which fit best inside ski and snowboard boots and allow the boot to function as it was designed.

Base layers: Wear wool or synthetic base layers to wick moisture away from your skin.

Neck gaiter: A neck gaiter (sometimes called a buff) keeps your neck warm and dry. The gaiter can be pulled up around your nose and mouth to keep your face warm.

Nordic ski equipment

Going cross-country skiing during your visit to the Gunnison Valley? Choose equipment based on the types of trails you’ll ski on.

Groomed trails: Sticking to groomed Nordic ski trails? Any ski will do. Most skiers choose lightweight skis to help them move fast.

Backcountry trails: Choose a ski with metal edges for more stability. A slightly wider ski will float over fresh snow better than a narrow ski.

What to wear in town

The lifts have closed for the day, and it’s time to head to Gunnison or Crested Butte for après! This is a Crested Butte ski gear guide, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t include advice about what to wear in town. No need to dress up—the downtown scene in any of the Gunnison Valley’s towns is very casual. Keep in mind that you’ll likely want to explore the downtown zones on foot, so choose sturdy, waterproof footwear to navigate snowy streets and sidewalks. Dress in layers to stay warm on the cold nights. Cover your head in a cozy beanie, and wear a scarf to protect your neck from chilly breezes.