Crested Butte Mountain Resort, which opened in 1960, pulled the town of Crested Butte out of its mining slump and kickstarted the tourism industry in the Gunnison Valley. Crested Butte remains true to its quaint coal-mining roots, with historic wooden buildings lining the main drag. Once bunkhouses and drugstores, the buildings now house restaurants, taverns, and bed-and-breakfasts. 

Winter postcards from a classic Colorado ski town.

The city of Gunnison takes holiday decorating seriously. Colorful lights cover the trees along Main Street. A massive live Christmas tree takes over the street at the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 135. Restaurants, cafes and shops are decked out with holiday cheer. Spend a relaxing winter afternoon in Gunnison grabbing a bite to eat or shopping for holiday gifts.

Winter scenes from in and around Gunnison, Colorado.

Far and away the most popular winter activity in Crested Butte is downhill skiing. Crested Butte Mountain Resort is a classic Colorado ski area located in Mt. Crested Butte, just a few miles north of the town of Crested Butte. The mountain’s steep, rocky, technical terrain attracts thrill-seeking skiers from all over the country. Plentiful beginner and intermediate runs offer alternatives for more conservative skiers. Lifts run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets, lessons and rentals can be purchased online or in the base area.

A large network of cross-country skiing trails lies like a spiderweb around the town of Crested Butte. A nonprofit organization called Crested Butte Nordic grooms and manages them. The trails, which adjoin town, quickly transport you into the pristine, mountainous landscape beyond. Several trails follow the peaceful Slate River towards its headwaters north of town.

Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association doesn’t rest in winter! They groom several roads and trails around Crested Butte for fat bikes. Remember that fat bikes aren’t allowed in all the same places as cross-country skis. Check CBMBA’s fat bike trail map to plan your route.

Views from famous runs and secret stashes across the resort.

Gunnison is quiet in winter compared to Crested Butte, but several outdoor activities provide entertainment for sporty travelers.

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, a magnet for mountain bikers during summer, remains open in winter for snow-based activities. The unique sport of fat biking caught on quickly in both Gunnison and Crested Butte. A small nonprofit organization called Gunnison Trails grooms about a dozen miles of singletrack trail at Hartman’s for fat biking. The roads at Hartman Rocks are also groomed for cross-country skiing. The best place to access groomed roads is via the McCabe’s entrance on the northwest side of Hartman’s.

Intrepid anglers venture onto the thick ice of Blue Mesa Reservoir during the coldest months of the year in hopes of snaring lake trout. Ice fishing attracts anglers from all over the region, and most years there are ice fishing tournaments on Blue Mesa and Taylor Park Reservoir.

The glassy ice of late fall and early winter also attracts ice skaters eager to skate on the “wild ice” before it gets covered with snow.

Both activities require advance planning and a thorough understanding of the risks. Please take all the proper precautions before endeavoring to partake in these sports. Accompany a professional or a seasoned veteran of the sport several times before attempting it on your own.

The weather in Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte is typical of high alpine environments. During January, February and March, the average high temperature at the ski area is in the low thirties. Lows hover near 15 degrees. Most days are sunny and clear, with snow falling an average of 11 days per month. Unlike mountains in Utah and Wyoming, fog and low clouds are rare here.

Due to Gunnison’s location in the high desert, the city receives more than 300 days of sun each year on average. During clear days in winter, cold air sinks down the Gunnison Valley, settling in Gunnison. This is known as inversion, and it’s the reason Gunnison is sometimes colder than Crested Butte, despite its lower altitude. It’s not uncommon in January and February for the low temperature to drop to 20 degrees below zero. However, sunshine is even more abundant in Gunnison than Crested Butte, with an average of just four days of precipitation per month. Gunnison receives about 45 inches of snow per year.

If you visit Crested Butte in winter, dress in layers, and cover all exposed skin against the elements. Clothing in Crested Butte is more casual than the posh styles sometimes spotted in places like Aspen and Vail. As a result of the high elevation and cold temperatures, most looks on the streets of Crested Butte are chiefly functional—costume party attire excepted. Restaurants do not have dress codes.

The fastest and easiest way to get to the Gunnison Valley is by flying into the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC). The airport in Gunnison and is served by nonstop flights from Denver, Houston and Dallas. Car rentals and shuttle services are available.

The most important part of planning to visit Crested Butte in winter is finding a place to stay. There is a huge variety of lodging options in the Gunnison Valley. Make reservations well in advance, especially if you plan to travel here over the holidays.

From Night of Lights in downtown Gunnison to the Al Johnson Telemark Ski Race at the ski area, there are some unforgettable winter events in the Gunnison Valley. Dates and details can be found in our winter event guide.