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Crested Five Years of Improvements and Investments: Where We’ve Been
Over $315 million has been invested in on- and off-mountain improvements and amenities at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) since Tim and Diane Mueller purchased the ski area in 2004. Under the new ownership of CNL lifestyle properties, with the Muellers still at the operational helm, the 2010-2011 season is no exception. The Muellers remain committed to evolving the resort in a responsible manner that answers the needs of a growing community and an increasing numbers of visitors, while respecting the surrounding native environment. With this in mind, CBMR remains focused on improving the overall guest experience.

Past improvements include four new ski lifts, an arsenal of snowmaking equipment, additional skiable terrain, an improved children’s program, expanded conference space, new lodging product and improved base area and mountain dining. Real estate investments also abound, including ownership opportunities at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square and in the Prospect neighborhood.

Improvements at CBMR for the coming winter season include: a complete remodel of the Ice Bar on-mountain restaurant; the addition of a new base area Adventure Park complete with a year-round synthetic ice rink; installation of a lift-served tubing hill; a new combined adult and children’s beginner learning area; and upgrades to the Outpost Building Day Lodge.

CBMR Master Development Plan and Snodgrass Expansion: Where We’re Headed
The future of CBMR includes acres of new terrain, additional lifts and ski lift replacements. Red Lady Lodge, a summer and winter dining and gathering spot, will be added, as will a year-round 44,000 sq. ft. Aquatic and Recreation Center, artists studios, additional restaurants and public spaces, water features and more than 800 underground parking spaces. Total investment in the base area is projected to reach $777 million in the coming years, and investments on the mountain are expected to reach $43.5 million upon completion of the resort’s master plan.

In addition, CBMR has introduced plans for expanded skiing on the adjacent Snodgrass Mountain. Complementing the existing Crested Butte Mountain, Snodgrass will more than double the amount of intermediate and advanced terrain with 262 acres of skiing and riding served by four lifts. With two boutique on-mountain restaurants and spectacular views in all directions, skiing won’t be the only attraction. Total investment in Snodgrass is estimated at $20 million.

Finally, CBMR has developed plans for the future North Village. The design is based on a traditional neighborhood with a human scale, a walkable community and at least 50% year-round residence. Nestled between both ski mountains, the village will provide all the conveniences of a small town with restaurants, shops, the new Mt. Crested Butte Town Hall, other civic buildings and services as well as many recreational amenities. The estimated investment in North Village is over $830 million.

New Adventures Await
The options really are endless and the 2009-2010 season includes new opportunities to seek adventure, regardless of definition. No experience? No problem. The young and young-at-heart can test their limits at Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s (CBMR) new Adventure Park, complete with year-round ice-skating on a synthetic rink, bungee trampolines, a climbing tower and a lift-served tubing hill. Love big machines? Check out the resort’s Prinoth Snowcat Driving Experience. For the intermediate adventure-junkie CBMR offers a new on-mountain Ice Driving course sponsored by Subaru, as well as a snowshoeing adventure exploring the proposed expansion area on Snodgrass. For the extreme adventure hound, the resort pulls out all the stops with a new Ski and Ride School option called The North Face Guide. This full-day lesson incorporates evaluation and education with certified instructors and focuses on the terrain found off the High lift and the North Face. In addition, true gravity-addicts can take part in new ski camps led by extreme skiing champ Wendy Fisher.

First Eco-Friendly Synthetic Ice Skating Rink in Colorado
New for 2009, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) introduces the base area Adventure Park featuring year-round “ice” skating, bungee trampolines and a climbing wall. The skating rink is made from Super-Glide® synthetic ice and represents the first synthetic ice-skating facility in Colorado. Super-Glide synthetic ice is a high-tech skating surface created by skaters, for skaters, and the rink was recycled from the American Museum of Natural History in New York, NY, where it was part of a display on climate change. The Adventure Park also will feature exhibits from the original museum display. Skaters can toe loop to their heart’s content each day and into the evening, throughout the year, thanks to on-site lighting.

Extreme Terrain Lessons/Guide Programs
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is known for its steep, powder-packed double-black-diamond terrain, defined by heart-stopping vertical, rocky outcroppings, trees, chutes and mandatory air. The entirety of this expansive in-bounds region known as the Extreme Limits is controlled by ski patrol and open to the public. CBMR has been a pioneer in all aspects of extreme big mountain skiing, including: opening up adventurous ski terrain to the public; boosting the sport of extreme skiing through high-caliber competitions (first in the U.S. to launch an extreme skiing contest which celebrates 18 years of competition this season); and developing and supporting some of the finest big mountain skiers in the world. CBMR’s Extreme Limits terrain encompasses 542 acres and the resort offers two extreme-specific lesson opportunities to help ease guests into this level of adventure:

Crested Butte North Face Guide Program
For guests interested in an extreme skiing or riding experience, but looking for some tips and tricks for success, CBMR’s Ski and Ride School created the North Face Guide. This in-bounds group tour allows participants to experience the resort’s famed extreme terrain, concentrating on skiing and riding off the High Lift and in the North Face area of the mountain. The tour includes an evaluation and light education, helping adventure-minded guests make the jump to extreme skiing and riding.

Crested Butte Adventure Guides Program
Akin to a private lesson, Crested Butte Adventure Guides takes the experience up a notch. Led by PSIA/AMGA Certified Adventure Guides from Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Guides, the goal of this private, tailored program is to provide participants with a solid knowledge of backcountry skills before heading out-of-bounds. Guides focus on teaching backcountry tactics and skills in the front country, including skinning, transverse use and backcountry skiing tactics. The guided experience explores Crested Butte's heralded Extreme Terrain, including 3rd Bowl, Phoenix and Spell Bound, all within the ski area boundary. Participants also may have the opportunity to venture into the backcountry during the full-day program, depending upon conditions and available time. The full-day lesson includes an evaluation of individual needs and ability, and guests will be supplied for the day with a backpack and other necessities for hiking and exploring the mountain. Transceiver, probes and shovels are also available if guests are interested in learning more about backcountry equipment.

Prinoth Snowcat Driving Experience
Participants learn the basics of driving snowcats, grooming, pushing snow, and experience one of the best ski resort jobs on a closed course. The school incorporates initial classroom time for safety and operational instruction then students get out on the course to maximize the driving time. “We take everyone on a ‘full tour’ of the machine,” says Chris Corliss, CBMR’s Mountain Operations Manager. “We do a complete walk around, discuss the parts and functions, and then get going with live drive time. It’s a totally different experience and a ton of fun, too. Our instructors are the real folks on the mountain doing real work, so it’s not a watered-down version for people who do this.” Pricing and schedule TBA for 09-10. The Snowcat Driving Experience is one-on-one instruction in a fully-functional Prinoth 275 Snow Cat as used in Crested Butte’s grooming operations. Cost is $275 per person (subject to change).

Uncovering the Best Value Options
With value-minded packages and special offers extending from the start of the winter season to closing day, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is focused on delivering a memorable experience without breaking the bank. To kick off the 2009-2010 season the resort is offering a Ski Free package until December 16, 2009, helping to sate starving powder hounds. The Grandest Christmas returns promising a holiday stay in bedecked Crested Butte for under a “grand.” Mid-season options include fourth night and day free deals, and kids ski free offers. Throughout the winter, the Friends and Family Fly Free deal can’t be beat: buy two airline tickets and get the third free (limited supply available; reserve early).