Press Releases

June 25, 2008 - Crested Butte, Colorado - Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is already moving forward with plans and improvement projects for the 2008-2009 winter season after experiencing the resorts snowiest winter on record last season, with a total of 421 inches of snow and an unprecedented 100 inch base on closing day.

"With the launch of our new branding and marketing, new airline service and improvements to the mountain and base area, we are excited to start the work this summer in anticipation of next winter." said Ken Stone, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

CBMR improvements slated for the 2008-2009 winter season are focused on creating an enhanced guest experience. New this winter: Increased and expanded airline service, upgrades and remodel of the Treasury Center, a new "Kids Base Camp" replacing Kids World, on-mountain terrain expansion in Teocalli Bowl, glading and brush cutting on the mountain. Along with these improvements, the resort base area hotels continue to expand guest amenities and services. The Lodge at Mountaineer Square, Elevation Hotel and the Grand Lodge were recently accepted and are now part of the prestigious Preferred Hotel Group.

New Branding
After months of research and development, Crested Butte has a new brand positioning expressed in the tag line, "Inspire your Passion". The new brand promise of "Inspiring you passion for adventure" and its implications will be seen resort-wide. Beginning with a new marketing and advertising campaign, the brand will also be reflected in other area of the resort from signage to employee uniforms, even in the architectural design of future real estate development.

"Establishing a new brand message and promise by defining what makes Crested Butte different from other mountain destinations is only the beginning. Providing higher levels of guest service and standards that match our brand promise is our focus." said Ethan Mueller, Director of Operations.

Expanded Jet Service
Travel to Crested Butte will be easier next winter. Beginning in December 2008, Delta Airlines will begin direct jet service to Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport from Atlanta (ATL) and Salt Lake City (SLC). In addition, American Airlines will add direct jet service from Chicago to complement their current Dallas daily jet service, and United will expand service with three jet flights daily from Denver connecting to hundreds of daily flights world wide..

"Crested Butte Mountain Resort is evolving and expanding," stated Ken Stone, "Our biggest initiative is to provide exceptional customer service, and that begins by doing our part to simplify access to Crested Butte. Our new air partnerships will ensure a larger number of travel options for our destination guests."

New Kids Facilities
The Kids' World ski school will see a completely new concept "Kids Base Camp" and see the greatest physical transformation. The new Kids Base Camp will be a new an exciting themed program that will intrigue and engage kids through exploration and adventure both on and off the mountain. The current building will be taken down to the "studs" and completely redesigned. From a new entrance to remodeled kid friendly bathrooms and play areas, the entire space will be completely revamped. Not only will the space be designed with the kids in mind, it will be easier and quicker for the little ones to get into the flow and let mom and dad "hit the slopes".

"After viewing many of the top children's facilities in the nation we came home and incorporated the best ideas into our kids building and day care program in Crested Butte. We are excited to have a great childrens facility to go along with our exceptional staff," said Ethan Mueller.

Base Area Improvements
The Treasury Center building in the base area will be redesigned to improve a number of guest services. The Crested Butte Ski and Snowboard Rental Shop will be moved to a slope-side location. The rental shop and a new retail store will include top of the line rental skis and snowboards along with an expanded retail selection.

The former location of the Crested Butte Ski and Snowboard Shop will be transformed into a "Pizza Zone". Fresh, pizza, beverages and snacks will be available in the lower level of the Treasury Center to eat on the run or to sit and enjoy. The Outpost building in the base area will also be re-designed and opened as a day lodge for guests. Tables and comfortable seating will allow guests to have more inside space for a break or just to warm up.

New Guest Amenities
New this winter, will be a central ski valet and overnight ski, snowboard and boot valet service. The service is free to all CBMR hotel guests or to other guests for a nightly fee and will feature ski-in ski-out access. The ski valet service pampers hotel guest from lobby check-in to hotel check-out with seamless handling of your ski and snowboard equipment during your stay.

The season locker storage on the main level of the Treasury Center will add a basket check for overnight storage of boots, bags or any of those extras that you need to "peel off" or store for the day or overnight.

Elevation Hotel & Spa will complete a 25 million dollar re-model which includes all 260 luxury rooms, 11,000 sq ft. spa and fitness center, slope side sundeck and fire pit and completely new Atmosphere Restaurant & Bar.

Snow Igloos, Crested Butte's new, fun addition to the mountain experience will sprout up around the resort for après ski cocktails to adventure play areas for the kids. The solid snow structures will be at Kids Base Camp and mid mountain outside the Ice Bar Restaurant.

More Mountain Terrain
On-mountain improvements will include expanded terrain off the Headwall lift into the Teocalli bowl area in what is known as Teo-2 and Teo-2.5 which will add additional expert terrain to the mix. Summer on-mountain improvements will include a new stage and concert venue at the base of the mountain next to the Red Lady Lift. Four new bike trails will be cut and opened, a new mountain bike downhill course will take shape, a new duel slalom course by the Peachtree Lift and a bike rhythm section will be constructed at the base area. CBMR's commitment to providing world class terrain park and pipe facilities continues with the addition of new and expanded features in the DC Terrain Park and the addition of a completely new intermediate terrain park.

Trail maintenance is also a top priority this summer with brush cutting and mowing work on the mountain's trails including the "Extreme Limits" taking place. The upgrades are all part of the Muellers' mission to continue to enhance CBMR as a family-friendly, guest oriented and aesthetically pleasing resort. "We want to raise the bar again and continue to ensure that we deliver the best overall resort experience for our guests." said Tim Mueller.

The Plan Continues
This year's improvements and enhancements build upon Crested Butte Resort's continued investments in base area and on-mountain improvements over the past four years. New snowmaking, grooming and lift system expansion and improvements along with the completion of the Lodge at Mountaineer Square and Mountaineer Conference Center last season is just part of a 200 million dollar resort wide capital improvement plan.

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