One of Colorado’s real gems is the old mining town turned hot ski destination known as Crested Butte. Located deep in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this tiny little haven for outdoor freaks and ski bums has a charming blend of history and artistic flair. Outdoor recreation is always high on the agenda, but The Butte also keeps it lively at night with funky pubs and live music.
There’s not much to Crested Butte, but that’s the point. This is your classic vintage Western mining town, set way back in the mountains, but still remarkably well-preserved. Laid out in a grid, the few blocks of this town can be leisurely walked in under an hour. The beautiful Victorian buildings and rustic cabins that line the quiet streets are either businesses or a home of a local. This sense of community is quick to pick up on and provides a relaxing, welcome feel.
Just outside of the town and higher in elevation lies the village of Mt Crested Butte, a fully equipped alpine ski resort. This is where the ski lifts roll into your typical alpine base area, full of shops, restaurants and pubs. Condos and private houses speckle the base area, most of which can be rented. Further beyond, the road enters the national forest with virtually endless hiking, mountain biking and camping opportunities.
Highlights
Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum: through historical photos, a great collection of local memorabilia, and interactive exhibits, the town’s mining, ranching and skiing past is presented in wonderful detail.
Historic Downtown: the original downtown core was been nicely preserved and developed into something of an art gallery, restaurant, shopping experience. It has a wonderful Wild West miner’s ambiance, but much more chilled.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort: offers fantastic downhill skiing in the winters and mountain biking and hiking in the summers via the chair lifts; this beautiful resort is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding national forest.
Gunnison National Forest: within this massive protected area are three wilderness areas and dozens of mountains towering from 12,000 to 14,000 feet covered by an extensive and well-developed trail system.
The Club at Crested Butte: if you are a golfer, you’ll want to play a round at one of the world’s most beautiful courses. Its luscious alpine setting can make it difficult to concentrate on the game, but it’s worth every penny.