Crested Butte and Gunnison Winter Guide
Discover winter fun in the Gunnison Valley:
Winter in Crested Butte and Gunnison is packed with more than just skiing, from iconic races and festivals to ice fishing tournaments and live music. This guide highlights the must-see winter events and outdoor activities to help you plan an unforgettable Colorado winter trip.
- Don’t miss signature winter events like the Alley Loop, Torchlight Parade, Freeride World Tour and local holiday celebrations.
- Get outside beyond downhill skiing with Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, snowmobiling and ice fishing across the Gunnison Valley.
______________________________________________________________________________________
While downhill skiing is one of the most popular winter activities in Crested Butte and Gunnison, there are also many other winter events and things 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 ice fishing tournaments. 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 2026-2027 Colorado winter trip to Gunnison and Crested Butte.
Opening Day at Crested Butte
Get your first turns in for Crested Butte’s 65th season
Crested Butte Mountain Resort opens for the season on November 25, 2026! Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and beats from DJ Mijo and grab a limited edition opening day poster to celebrate the start of a new ski season and Crested Butte’s 65th birthday!
When: November 25, 2026; 9 a.m.
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Opening Day
Santa Ski Day
Join CBMR for a festive ski day
Get your Santa suit out for a festive day on the slopes. Meet at the top of the Red Lady Express Lift for a group photo before a parade down Lower Twister to the base area at 11:00 a.m.
When: December 19, 2026; 10:30 a.m.
Where: Top of the Red Lady Express Lift
Santa Ski Day
Aaron Blunck Rail Jam
Ski with a local legend
Show off your skills at the 3rd annual Aaron Blunck Rail Jam!
When: December 19, 2026
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Aaron Blunck Rail Jam
Butte Banked Slalom World Championship
A challenge for snowboarders
This snowboard-only event is the ultimate test of speed and skill on the snow.
When: TBD
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Santa Meet and Greet
Meet the big man
Watch Santa ski down the mountain to Butte 66 at 3:3o p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Butte 66 deck will be full of holiday magic and offer a festive photo opportunity with Santa. Enjoy free cookies and hot cocoa, too!
When: December 24, 2026; 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Where: Butte 66
Santa Meet and Greet
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. Tree lighting is at 7 p.m. Visit The Elks Lodge after for pictures with Santa.
When: December 3, 2027; 6-8 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Gunnison
Night of Lights
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, 2026
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Torchlight Parade
Ski Town Breakdown Events
Rock the Butte
Enjoy après vibes at Butte 66 throughout the season. Sponsored by Mountain Dew.
When: January 23, 2027
February 13, 2027
March 5, 2027
April 3, 2027
Where: Butte 66
Ski Town Breakdown
Ice Addiction Ice Fishing Tournament
Test your ice fishing skills on Blue Mesa Reservoir
Ice Addiction is returning to Gunnison in January 2026 with two ice fishing tournaments at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Produced by Tightline Outdoors, the Ice Addiction series is the largest ice fishing tournament series in the western U.S. and brings anglers from across the region to Gunnison during the winter season, awarding over $25,000 in cash and prizes at each event.
The Elite 60 Tournament will take place on Friday, January 16, followed by the Classic Tournament on Saturday, January 17.
When: January 23, 2027
Where: Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado
Ice Addiction
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: January 30, 2027
Where: Crested Butte, CO
Alley Loop
World Tutu Day
Rock your best tutu!
Show your spirit and ski in your favorite tutu to celebrate World Tutu Day. Grab a free one from Crested Butte starting at 8:54 a.m., while supplies last.
When: February 2, 2027
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
World Tutu Day
President’s Day Weekend DJ Set
Jam out to celebrate the long weekend
Head to the Umbrella Bar for a DJ set!
When: February 13, 2027; 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Umbrella Bar
President’s Day Weekend DJ Set
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 14, 2027
Where: Crested Butte, CO
Gothic Mountain Tour
Women in Powder
Celebrate women in snowsports
Show your support for the girls! Brought to you by Helly Hansen, Alani Nu, American Express, Oakley, Lavazza and Outer Range Brewing.
When: February 25, 2027
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Women in Powder
CBMR X ORB Snow Rodeo Birthday Bash
Celebrate Crested Butte’s 65th birthday!
Join the party to celebrate 65 years of Crested Butte Mountain Resort and 10 years of Outer Range Brewing. Dress in your best snow rodeo gear and get the party started at 3:00 p.m.
When: March 13, 2027
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
CBMR X ORB Rodeo Birthday Bash
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: March 28, 2027
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race
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: TBD
Where: Center for the Arts Crested Butte
Ice Masters Ice Fishing Tournament
Test your ice fishing skills on Taylor Park Reservoir
Compete for cash and prizes on Taylor Park Reservoir! Call 970-309-6339 to register. Each contestant must pay a $100 registration fee.
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 returns, the top 80 skiers and snowboarders from the Americas gather to compete for a $10,000 prize purse.
When: February 21-22, 2027
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: February 5-7, 2027
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Western Ski Weekend
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: TBD
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. Want to visit in spring, summer or fall? Check out each of our seasonal event and activity guides:
