Over the next few years, visitors to Mt. Crested Butte (known as Colorado’s “Last Great Ski Town”) will find a whole new mountain awaiting them – complete with added lifts, lodges, a conference center and fresh terrain. In July 2005, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) unveiled a plan for a five-year, multi-million dollar overhaul of the existing ski area that included many on-mountain improvements, construction of a new$200 million town center and plans to expand onto neighboring Snodgrass Mountain.
Skiers and snowboarders will revel in the 1,125 acres of terrain featuring 121 trails ranging from easy-going beginner runs to the Butte’s legendary extremes. Terrain parks, a superpipe, snowshoe loop, two tubing hills, the indoor Kids Zone and a variety of base-area shops offer fun for all ages. Ride a Snowcat for twilight dining at Rustica, or enjoy an evening cocktail at Ice Bar — a bar made of ice — before dining on gourmet fare. Then ski or snowshoeing back to the base area.
Mt. Crested Butte also delivers in beauty and outdoor fun during the summer and fall months. Two chairlifts operate to transport mountain bikers, hikers and sightseers. The ski area also hosts a series of mountain bike events. Go up the road a bit for some of the area’s premiere hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Grab a little R&R at the playground, picnic pavilion, tennis courts and Mountain Garden nestled in a lush valley right by Town Hall. You may even be lucky enough to see a wedding underway in the garden!