Cranor Hill Ski Area

Gunnison’s Local Ski Hill

Cranor Hill Ski Area is a town ski hill in Gunnison, Colorado. It opened in 1962 and operates when there is sufficient snow. Owned and operated by the City of Gunnison, Cranor Hill is an affordable, accessible way to get outside during winter in Gunnison. Beginner and advanced skiers alike can enjoy getting their laps in at Cranor Hill. It might be the smallest place you’ve ever skied, but that doesn’t stop it from being a lot of fun.

What is Cranor Hill like?

Cranor Hill stats

Cranor Hill has one Poma platter lift and four runs. This Poma platter lift is one of the oldest operating lifts in Colorado. It is a small ski area, with a vertical drop of 305 feet across 45 acres. The runs are groomed with a snowcat. Cranor Hill’s elevation is 7,860 ft. There is a small lodge at the base area with snacks for sale. Cranor Hill also has a small terrain park to practice jumps on.

Cranor Hill first opened as a private ski ranch but was sold to the city of Gunnison in 1966. The City of Gunnison now operates Cranor Hill.

Cranor Hill is a community ski hill and has a mellow vibe. It is reminiscent of town ski hills commonly found in the East. The top of the lift gives you an excellent view of Gunnison and the West Elk Mountains in Gunnison National Forest.

Click the button below to visit the City of Gunnison’s Cranor Hill page. The page contains pricing, hours of operation and contact information.

Visit the Cranor Hill website

Cranor Hill Videos

Watch the reels below to get a taste of Gunnison’s best (and only) ski area! And be sure to follow @visitgcb on Instagram for more scenes from this beautiful corner of Colorado.

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When is Cranor Hill open?

When there is sufficient snow coverage, Cranor Hill opens from January to March. The hill relies fully on natural snow and has no snowmaking operations. Some seasons it opens late, closes early or doesn’t open at all. Take advantage of the fun turns at Cranor Hill when it does open!

Where is Cranor Hill Ski Area located?

Cranor Hill Ski Area is located on a few miles northeast of the city of Gunnison, Colorado on County Road 10. Gunnison is a small, laid-back college town. It has a rich history of ranching and mining. Today the town serves as the county seat for Gunnison County. It’s home to Western Colorado University. Located among two million acres of public lands, outdoor recreation is at the heart of Gunnison.

Uphill Travel at Cranor Hill

Cranor Hill is open to uphill travel. Glide to the top of the hill on your touring skis or splitboard, then take in the view of the San Juans and the West Elks before skiing down. Skiing uphill at Cranor Hill is easier and shorter than the uphill route at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Is Cranor Hill on the Epic or Ikon Pass?

Cranor Hill is an independent ski hill not on a ski pass. It is owned and operated by the City of Gunnison. Day tickets can be purchased in the lodge at the base area of the ski hill. Season passes are also available. Visit the Cranor Hill website for pricing and more information.

Other places to ski in the Gunnison Valley

Interested in other places to ski in Gunnison and Crested Butte?

Go downhill skiing on the famously steep terrain of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. This ski area is the main winter attraction in the Gunnison Valley.
Glide through peaceful mountain landscapes on Crested Butte Nordic Center‘s large network of groomed trails. Many of CB Nordic’s trails are accessible right from downtown Crested Butte.
Go cross-country skiing on the free trails around Gunnison maintained by Gunnison Nordic. Picturesque rock formations at Mill Creek and Hartman Rocks provide unique scenery.