Crested Butte and Gunnison Winter Guide

While downhill skiing is one of the most popular winter activities in Crested Butte and Gunnison, there are also many other winter events and thing to do. This winter guide will help you navigate it all! Winter brings ski races that double as costume contests, skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, a Christmas tree lighting and an ice fishing tournament. There are also several other beloved annual winter events in the Gunnison Valley. Despite the cold, there are many fun things to do in Colorado in the winter.  Use this winter guide to help you plan your 2024-2025 Colorado winter trip to Gunnison and Crested Butte.

Alley Loop Nordic Marathon

Race in the best costume party of the year

This Nordic ski race is a beloved winter tradition and tops our winter guide because of it. The course takes racers through downtown Crested Butte and on pristine Crested Butte Nordic Center trails in the area. Racers can choose from six courses with a kid only course also available. It is also an American Birkebeiner Qualifying event. Perhaps the most important aspect of the Alley Loop is that it’s also a costume contest!

When: February 1, 2025
Where: Crested Butte, CO
Alley Loop

Night of Lights

Watch Santa light the tree

Night of Lights is the annual tree lighting in downtown Gunnison. Main Street closes down and is decorated with festive lights. Local businesses and organizations set up booths to share information. Get a cup of cocoa, learn about the community and welcome the holiday season as Santa lights the tree.

When: December 6, 2024; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Gunnison
Night of Lights

The Grand Traverse

Ski from Crested Butte to Aspen

This point-to-point backcountry ski race begins in Crested Butte and ends in Aspen. For safety considerations, the race begins at midnight. The weekend will include other events such as a vendor expo, live podcast recording and an athlete lunch. Compete in the Grand Traverse Mountain Run and Grand Traverse Mountain Bike to complete the triple crown.

When: March 30, 2025
Where: Crested Butte, CO
The Grand Traverse Ski

Blister Summit

Test new ski gear with professional skiers

Blister Summit is an annual consumer-focused gear test and demo event. Attendees can test ski and avalanche safety gear in the backcountry and at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. The event will also include panels and talks with company founders and athletes.

When: February 23-27, 2025
Where: Mt. Crested Butte, CO
Blister Summit

Torchlight Parade

Celebrate the New Year

Watch as the ski and ride school instructors at Crested Butte Mountain Resort wind down the mountain carrying torchlights to light their way. Fireworks will accompany the parade to ring in the New Year.

When: December 31, 2024
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Torchlight Parade

Gothic Mountain Tour

Train for the Grand Traverse

This backcountry ski race is 22 miles with 5,000 vertical feet. Racers circumnavigate the backcountry around Gothic Mountain. It ends with a party at the Crested Butte Nordic Center Backcountry Yurt. This is also a Grand Traverse training race.

When: February 22, 2025
Where: Crested Butte, CO
Gothic Mountain Tour

Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race

Don a costume and free the heel

This race memorializes mail carrier Al Johnson. In the 1880s Johnson carried the mail to and from Crystal, Colorado to Crested Butte every week. Competitors must race on telemark skis and have to finish the race with both skis and poles, even if they’re broken. The race also has a tradition of outrageous costumes.

When: TBD
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
More information

Avalanche Awareness night

Practice your avalanche safety skills

This event is a fundraiser for the Crested Butte Avalanche Center (CBAC). It includes education about avalanches, food and drinks, raffles, and practice with avalanche equipment. Kick off the season by brushing up on your backcountry safety skills.

When: December 7, 2024; 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: Center for the Arts Crested Butte
More information

Ice Addiction Ice Fishing Tournament

Test your ice fishing skills on Blue Mesa Reservoir

This annual ice fishing event gives participants the chance to compete, learn or just have fun fishing. Over $25,000 in cash and prizes will be given away. Check back to our winter guide for more info.

When: February 8, 2025
Where: Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado
Ice Addiction

Ice Masters Ice Fishing Tournament

Test your ice fishing skills on Taylor Park Reservoir

This tournament allows anglers to compete for cash and prizes on Taylor Park Reservoir.

When: TBD
Where: Taylor Park Marina
Ice Masters Tournament

Gunnison Art Walk

Explore Gunnison’s art galleries

Every first Friday view art at the Gunnison Arts Center and other galleries in town. Galleries participating in the Art Walk frequently feature live music, food and drinks, and sometimes art talks.

When: The first Friday of every month
Where: Gunnison, Colorado
Gunnison Arts Center Art Walk

Freeride World Tour

Watch the best skiers and snowboarders compete

Crested Butte is the first stop of the IFSA FWT Challenger by Orage. The event is hosted on Crested Butte’s infamous Spellbound and High Life venues. As the longest-running freeride event in the world return, the top 80 skiers and snowboarders from the Americas gather to compete for a $10,000 prize purse.

When: TBD
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Freeride World Tour

Western Ski Weekend

Ski with fellow Mountaineers!

Western Colorado University Alumni, parents and family are welcome for Western Ski Weekend. Receive discounts on lift tickets, lodging and rentals.

When: March 1-2, 2025
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Western Ski Weekend

Fat Bike Worlds

Celebrate 10 years of FBW

Fat Bike Worlds returns to Crested Butte for its 10th anniversary! This three-day festival includes a 24.5 mile race and a 14.7 mile race. Attend the kick-off party the day before and get hyped for the race. An awards ceremony and after-party that includes a concert will be held Saturday night. Finish off the festival with a group ride on Sunday.

When: January 24-26, 2025
Where: Mt. Crested Butte
Fat Bike Worlds

Winter Songwriter Shuffle

Listen to live music this winter

Tough Enough to Wear Pink is back with the Winter Songwriter Shuffle Series! Head to the Mountaineer Square Ballroom on February 14, 2025 to hear Wood Box Heroes, Dean Dillon and Ernest. The next even will be held March 22, 2025. Details for the March event are TBD! Check back later for a link to purchase tickets. This is an event to support cancer prevention, detection, and individual support in the Gunnison Valley community.

When: February 14, 2025 and March 22, 202
Where: Mountaineer Square Ballroom and Elevation Hotel
More info to come!

Winter activities

There are so many things to do in the Gunnison Valley in winter! We’ve shared some favorite winter activities in this winter guide to Gunnison and Crested Butte below.

Ski the steeps at CBMR

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is known for its steep and extreme terrain. Expert and advanced skiers can choose from some of the steepest in-bounds skiing in the U.S. at Crested Butte. Beginner and intermediate skiers will also find plenty to ski. With 1,547 skiable acres, CBMR has a variety of runs for every skill level in your group. Be sure to check out the après scene on the mountain too. CBMR also offers lessons and rentals. Crested Butte is on the Epic Pass.

Nordic ski in Crested Butte

Crested Butte has an impressive offering of Nordic ski trails. The Crested Butte Nordic Center grooms a network of 50 kilometers of trails for classic and skate skiing. Some trails are also open to fat biking. You must purchase a pass to experience these scenic and pristine trails. The Nordic Center also offers rentals and classes.

Snowmobile in Pitkin

Pitkin, Colorado is a historic mining town located north of Highway 50 between Gunnison and Monarch Pass. It is surrounded by Gunnison National Forest, making it a great basecamp for snowmobiling day trips. Peaks in the area include Cross Mountain, Copper Mountain and Little Baldy Mountain. There is a large network of Forest Service Roads to sled in the area as well. If you plan to travel through avalanche territory, please ensure you possess the necessary skills, equipment and knowledge to stay safe.

Snowshoe at Mill Creek

Snowshoeing is an accessible and easy way to get outside in winter. Mill Creek is located between Gunnison and Crested Butte and is a popular area for winter activity. Trails in Mill Creek wind though spruce and aspen groves. Some of them also give you impressive views of the surrounding mountains. Mill Creek can be accessed by turning onto Ohio Creek Road, driving nine miles and then turning left on Mill Creek Road. The parking area is three miles down the road. Gunnison Nordic also grooms a track for Nordic skiing at Mill Creek.

Fat bike at Hartman Rocks

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area in Gunnison is a popular summer mountain biking spot. When it’s covered in snow in the winter it’s great for fat biking too. This high desert is known for distinct rock formations that dot the landscape. Gunnison Trails grooms over 14 miles of singletrack for fat biking. Groomed trails can be accessed from Gold Basin Road or McCabe’s Lane. Hartman Rocks is also used for Nordic skiing.

Planning your trip

Winter in Gunnison and Crested Butte offers so many things to do. Make sure you plan your trip ahead of time. Check the weather and be aware of winter road closures to ensure getting here goes smoothly. Lodging options include cozy inns, ski-in/ski-out on the mountain, traditional hotels and homey bed and breakfasts. Utilize the free public transportation to get around and not worry about driving in the snow. Both make stops at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Main Street in Gunnison and Elk Avenue in Crested Butte also offer an array of local restaurant and shopping options to check out.