Skiing & Snowboarding

Downhill skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Colorado skiing is at its best on the slopes of Crested Butte. The legendary steep terrain at Crested Butte Mountain Resort draws thrill-seekers from all over the world. Watch the videos below for a taste of extreme skiing at Crested Butte! The fun doesn’t stop at downhill skiing, though. Learn about backcountry and cross-country skiing, and get tips for a successful ski trip of any type.

COLORADO SKIING AT CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT

What is Crested Butte known for?

Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is known for having some of the steepest in-bounds ski terrain in Colorado. If you enjoyed skiing at Telluride, Jackson Hole or Big Sky, you’ll fall in love with Crested Butte, too. Advanced and expert skiers will have a blast exploring Crested Butte’s extreme terrain and back bowls. Beginner and intermediate skiers have plenty of mellower terrain to choose from as well. Crested Butte Mountain Resort is on the Epic Pass.

Get to know the mountain

What it’s like to ski Crested Butte

Follow Western Colorado University student Cal Hill and pro skier Logan Pehota around during the perfect powder day at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Living less than 30 miles away in Gunnison, Cal knows the mountain’s best stashes. Follow these two skiers on an epic day through some of Crested Butte’s gnarliest terrain.

Getting around Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Zone-specific guides

Use the guides linked below to learn your way around Crested Butte Mountain Resort. There is a guide for each chairlift and zone. In each guide, you’ll find descriptions of each run and helpful tips for getting around the mountain.

East River Express Lift

Terrain off the East River Express Lift ranges from blue to black. Some of Crested Butte’s best tree skiing lies in this zone. The laps are short but sweet. Resurrection, the mogul run under the chairlift, is a notorious leg-burner.

Explore East River

A skier skis down a steep section of the Headwall at Crested Butte on a bluebird day

High Lift

The High Lift accesses some of Crested Butte’s steepest terrain, including the Headwall and the peak. Take this T-bar lift to get to the legendary Teocalli Bowls, which require a hike out. All terrain off the High Lift is rated double black.

Explore the High Lift

A person skis down a gentle slope. Painter Boy lift serves mostly easy terrain at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Beginner terrain

New to skiing? This guide will help you stick to approachable terrain. Explore green and blue runs off Red Lady Express, Painter Boy, Peachtree, Westwall and Prospect lifts. Most runs in these areas are groomed, but there are opportunities to venture into glades and off-piste terrain when you’re ready.

Explore beginner terrain

A person skiing paradise bowl in Crested Butte

Paradise Express Lift

Get to almost anywhere at Crested Butte Mountain Resort from the Paradise area. This centrally-located hub accesses fun and fast intermediate runs, steep and thrilling advanced trails, and even some of Crested Butte’s famed extremes. You can ride the lift with your group, split up to ski different runs depending on ability level and meet back up at the bottom of Paradise Express.

Explore Paradise Express

SKI AND SNOWBOARD RENTALS

Crested Butte and Gunnison have many outdoor gear shops staffed by knowledgable people who love skiing as much as you do. Many local gear shops feature both biking and skiing equipment and make the swap seasonally. Visit a ski shop before hitting the slopes to rent equipment or buy your own. If you own your own ski gear, be sure to get your skis tuned and waxed before heading out to the mountain.

FIND A SKI SHOP

Crested Butte Adaptive Sports Center

Skiing and snowboarding for people with disabilities

The Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) is also located at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. ASC enhances the quality of life of people with disabilities through exceptional winter and summer outdoor activities. Winter programs include skiing and snowboarding on resort at CBMR.

a skier faces snowy mountain peaks on top of a snowy ridge

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

Ski Touring in Crested Butte

There are over 2 million acres of public lands in the Gunnison Valley. This huge amount of open space makes Crested Butte one of the most scenic and wild places to go backcountry skiing in Colorado. Backcountry terrain can be accessed via skis or snowmobile. There are many maps and guidebooks for popular ski touring spots available in print and online. The Crested Butte Avalanche Center (CBAC) offers a daily weather and avalanche report during ski season. If you plan to travel through avalanche terrain please ensure you have the necessary skills, knowledge and equipment to stay safe.

AVALANCHE EDUCATION COURSES

With so much backcountry terrain, Crested Butte is a great place to learn about safe winter backcountry travel. It doesn’t matter if you travel via skis, a splitboard, a snowmobile or Nordic skis, avalanche education is imperative for safe travel in the winter. If you’re planning on venturing into the backcountry, consider taking an avalanche safety course before or during your visit. For resources, check out this list of avalanche education resources from CBAC.

Guided Snowcat Skiing in Crested Butte

Cat skiing allows skiers and snowboarders to experience the feel of backcountry skiing without needing avalanche education. Irwin Guides offers daily guided cat skiing tours near Irwin, 10 miles northwest of the town of Crested Butte. Slopes are controlled for avalanches, and highly trained guides show you where to ski.

Photo courtesy of Eleven Experience, Irwin Guides and Dave Kozlowski Photography.

Cat skiing through Irwin Guides in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing can be a refreshing addition to your downhill skiing trip to Crested Butte. The Gunnison Valley is home to some of the most scenic cross-country skiing in Colorado, including dozens of miles of groomed trails at Crested Butte Nordic.

Cross-country skiing

A Swiss-inspired hotel with a blue staircase. Snow blankets the roof.

LODGING

Looking for a place to stay during your ski trip? There are cozy cabins and dreamy inns dotted around the valley that will make you feel like you’re in a snow globe.

The towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte are filled with condos, lodges and beautiful bed-and-breakfasts. Ski-in, ski-out hotels in Mt. Crested Butte are the closest lodging to the ski area. The town of Crested Butte is connected to the mountain via a free, five-minute bus ride.

Gunnison offers a more mellow experience with a fantastic price point for a ski vacation.

Find a place to stay