Crested Butte, Colorado. A hidden gem in the High Rockies.

Crested Butte is a small mountain town that is nestled in between Aspen and Gunnison Colorado. With amazing views, epic winter and summer sports, and a breathtaking hometown feel. You will leave feeling warm and full of joy, ready to plan your next visit.

Getting There

If traveling from Denver you will have an almost 4 hour drive south. From Gunnison it is only 40 minutes North. Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport is the most convenient way to access Crested Butte. They have several options in the terminal to rent a car, or you can hire a shuttle for $65 round trip. The shuttle services will drop you off right at your hotel and pick you up for your flight out of Gunnison.

Welcome to Mt. Crested Butte! In every angle that you look Crested Butte is astonishing. From the snow capped peaks, to the charming ski town feel that envelops you throughout the town. Crested Butte is what you want in a Rocky Mountain vacation. The food isn’t too bad, either.

Hotels/Lodging

My personal recommendation is to stay at the Grand Lodge. It is right under the mountain so you have easy access to the lifts and all of the rental shops, and even a few restaurants at the top of the mountain. The Grand Lodge runs anywhere from $150-500 per night depending on the time of the season, and the room choice. They have single room options all the way up to luxury family suites/condos. For the budgeting traveler check out a hostel, or a cheaper bed and breakfast in the town of Crested Butte. You can snag one of these up for $50-100 a night and they usually include a breakfast. If you aren’t on such a tight budget you have the option of renting a cabin or a chalet on the side of the mountain or in the town. These are however very expensive, running anywhere from $250-2000 and up per night. But as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for.

Getting Around

Mountain Express operates a free shuttle between the towns of Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte. During the height of the season, it comes every 15 minutes so you’ll never wait long for a ride. You can find the schedule at your hotel lobby or any ski shop around the town. There is really no need to rent a car. Although if you are going to do so I would recommend something that you can takeoff road and explore. You could also rent some fat bikes to check out some of the local trails and even scoot around town on. It;s a very cool and unique way to experience Crested Butte.

Things to Do

The obvious here is Skiing and Snowboarding. You can buy a lift ticket online for around $60 for the day and get a rental for around the same price. Every shop is different, so contact them to get the updated prices for the season. If you are a disabled veteran however you are in luck. There is a program operated out of CB called The Adaptive Sports Center. They will give you a lesson and a rental for $30 a day, and you can include your family and spouse in that as well. Aside from the obvious winter sports, CB has a lot more to offer. As I stated previously, you can rent a fat bike and explore some of the mountains around CB. There are also Snowmobiles available. I highly recommend taking a day trip to Aspen by snowmobile. It is a truly unforgettable experience. If you get bored with that, you can rent a pair of snowshoes and take the shuttle up to snodgrass. From there you can walk Gothic Trail to the town of Gothic. Whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed.

Food

If you are a traveler on a budget, eating out in CB may not be for you. Check out the local supermarket called Clarks, or hit the Walmart in Gunnison before coming into CB. Eating out while traveling has proved to be one of the most costly portion of a trip. Buying your food and cooking it yourself will save you hundreds of dollars throughout your trip. But if you want to splurge or really aren’t on a budget, here are my top recommendations.

THE WOODSTONE GRILLE

The Grand Lodge, Mt. Crested Butte

970.349.8030

ULEY’S CABIN – WINTER ONLY

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

970-349-4475

ELK AVE PRIME

226 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

970-349-1551

BONEZ

130 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

970-349-5118

SOUPCON BISTRO

127 A Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

970-349-5448

THE SECRET STASH

303 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

970-349-6245

My Experience

My first time in Crested Butte was a time of healing for me. It was an experience that changed my life forever and really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I suffer from a panic disorder, and severe anxiety. It was a strange sense of calmness; being at peace with myself for the first time in years. I traveled to Crested Butte with a like group of veterans and we all went through a week of self realization and healing. If you’re tired of your day to day and just need a break, do not hesitate to travel to CB. I only hope that it changed your life as it did mine.