Group Travel Planner to Crested Butte + Gunnison, Colorado

Group travel to Crested Butte and Gunnison

Looking for a laid-back mountain destination for a group event in Colorado? The Gunnison Valley is a picturesque location for conferences, meetings and other gatherings. Event spaces in Gunnison and Crested Butte can accommodate groups from 20 to 500 people. This area is ideal for travelers who are eager to immerse themselves in mountain scenery and participate in Colorado’s abundant outdoor sports. The Gunnison Valley is well-suited to bike clubs, ski clubs and auto touring groups.

Crested Butte and Gunnison offer more affordable lodging prices than other mountain destinations such as Aspen and Vail. Plus, a local airport and excellent public transportation make the journey to this relatively remote area easy. In this guide to group travel in Crested Butte and Gunnison, you’ll find info about venues, lodging, transportation and activities.

Who this guide is for

Ski clubs and councils
Mountain biking groups
Car clubs
Hiking groups
Professional associations and industry groups
Companies
Organizations
College and youth groups
Church groups

Types of events

Meetings
Conferences
Corporate retreats
Celebrations
Reunions
Performances
Workshops
Classes
Team-building activities

Weddings

Planning a Colorado wedding? Head to our wedding guide page, which includes information on wedding-specific venues, caterers, florists and more.

Plan your wedding

Getting here

An airport in Gunnison makes getting to the Gunnison Valley easy. Streamline your trip by flying directly to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC). Catch a nonstop flight to the Gunnison airport from Denver, Houston, Dallas or Chicago. Book a shuttle to whisk you from the airport to your accommodations.

Once you’re here, public transport makes getting around the Gunnison Valley easy. Free buses provide reliable service to all corners of the valley.

A scene of hotels and vacation rentals with snowy mountain peaks in the background

Airport and shuttles

Public transport

Group lodging in Crested Butte and Gunnison

The Gunnison Valley’s major hotels are centered in Gunnison and Mt. Crested Butte. Gunnison, which borders Highway 50 near the south end of the valley, features a variety of affordable chain hotels that can accommodate large groups. Mt. Crested Butte, home of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, is situated on the north edge of the Gunnison Valley. Reserve blocks of rooms in hotels and condos perched right on the slopes.

Mt. Crested Butte Lodging

Gunnison Lodging

Event spaces in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Host your large event in one of the Gunnison Valley’s biggest venues. Choose from locations near the ski area, in downtown Crested Butte or in Gunnison. Contact the businesses directly to learn more about their offerings.

Elevation Hotel & Spa

Elevation makes group event planning easy by combining lodging and meeting spaces under one roof. Located in the base area of the ski resort just steps from the chairlifts, this ski-in, ski-out hotel also offers an-site restaurant and catering services.

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Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Hosting an event in slopeside accommodations at Crested Butte Mountain Resort gives your guests easy access to skiing. The ski area offers a large selection of lodging types as well as on-site catering. Discounts on some ski area products may be available.

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Center for the Arts Crested Butte

At 31,000 square feet, the Center for the Arts is the largest indoor event venue in Gunnison County. It contains a 300-seat theater in addition to more intimate spaces. Groups may reserve conference rooms and meeting spaces with state-of-the-art tech. Plus, the Center for the Arts is just steps from vibrant downtown Crested Butte.

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Western Colorado University

Located in Gunnison, Western Colorado University is the biggest venue in the south valley. The university can accommodate groups of all sizes in auditoriums, lecture halls and classrooms. Plus, the campus’s sprawling lawns and shady groves of trees serve as scenic outdoor meeting spaces. On-campus lodging and dining are available. Downtown Gunnison lies within easy walking distance.

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Arrowhead Mountain Lodge

Perched on the edge of the wild, scenic Alpine Plateau in Uncompahgre National Forest, Arrowhead Mountain Lodge hosts groups of up to 150 people. With lightning-fast internet and on-site catering, this remote venue southwest of Gunnison provides all the necessary amenities for business retreats or sports clubs. Snowmobiling groups will appreciate the easy access to prime terrain.

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More event venues and vendors

Browse event service providers in the Gunnison Valley below. From smaller event venues, to rental services, to caterers, these professionals can help make your group event a success.

Group activities and attractions

Each season in Colorado opens up new opportunities to explore the abundant public lands and waters surrounding Crested Butte and Gunnison. Below, find activity recommendations for each type of group event.

Summer groups

In summer, embark on a whitewater rafting adventure on the Taylor River or Gunnison River. Local outfitters cater specifically to large groups. Prefer to stick to dry land? Explore more than 1,000 miles of trails on foot or by mountain bike. If your sport of choice requires gear rentals, reserve them in advance—quantities are limited.

Ski clubs and councils

In winter, slide on Colorado’s famous powdery snow via downhill or cross-country skis. Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s experts-only extreme terrain attracts ski clubs from all over the world. For pristine winter scenery and a great cardio workout, explore the valley’s wide array of groomed cross-country ski trails. Reserve gear and lift tickets ahead of time.

Adaptive sports

The Adaptive Sports Center in Mt. Crested Butte hosts groups from all over the country at its spacious new headquarters on the slopes of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Veterans groups, firefighter groups and children’s groups partake in mountain sports ranging from ice climbing, to skiing, to mountain biking—all outfitted with adaptive equipment. Learn more on the Adaptive Sports Center website.

Business groups

The Rocky Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for corporate retreats and business meetings. Arrange a meeting at one of the Gunnison Valley’s indoor venues, or put your heads together outdoors to grab some fresh air and gain a new perspective. Outdoor activities create bonds and promote collaboration between coworkers. Consider scheduling a group hike, bike ride or whitewater rafting trip for your team.

Browse activities

Looking for more activity ideas? Check out our guide to the best things to do in the Gunnison Valley.

Find things to do

Dining

Head to the downtown districts of the Gunnison Valley’s towns to sample foods from coffee to sushi. Most restaurants here are small and cozy, so call ahead to make reservations for large parties.

Browse restaurants