First Timer's Guide

At The End Of The Road
About Crested Butte
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, where the jagged peaks collide with a colorful town.
Early morning light shining on the Peak of Mount Crested Butte
The Mountain

As the birthplace of inbounds extreme terrain, our mountain promises to feed your appetite for challenge and captivate your heart. Home to 2,700 vertical feet and 1,500 acres, quirky costume events like the Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race, and the freedom to be who you are (not what's expected).

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Colorful store fronts on Elk Avenue in Crested Butte
The Town
There are few places that can still be called a real Colorado ski town, and Crested Butte is one of them. There are no traffic lights and no high-rise buildings. When you walk around town, you’ll feel the untamed spirit in the unparalleled views and the meticulously preserved false-front buildings reminiscent of its mining days.
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Directions To Crested Butte

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The Gunnison Valley is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled rural areas in Colorado. However, this also means it’s a bit out of the way. We think the trade-off is worth it, but make sure you are prepared to get here. The drive through the mountains is nothing short of extraordinary. Drive time from Denver is 4 hours, and just under 4 hours from Colorado Springs.

Distance from major centers:

  • 30 miles/48 km north of Gunnison
  • 230 miles/368 km southwest of Denver
  • 90 miles/114 km northeast of Montrose
  • 197 miles/315 km west of Colorado Springs

Mountain Express operates a free shuttle between Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte. During the winter, the Condo Loop and Outer Condo Loops connect the Mt. Crested Butte Town Center to local condominiums.

In true local character, every bus was painted by a different local artist—so many it’s hard to pick a favorite. Maybe the Aspen bus. Or the cow bus with the tail hanging off the back. Or the new Mountain Bike bus. We dare you to pick a favorite!

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The easiest way to get to Crested Butte is via Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport (GUC), located just 30 minutes from Crested Butte. The airport is serviced by both American Airlines and United Airlines. Direct flights to Gunnison-Crested Butte (GUC) are available from Denver International Airport (DEN), Houston (IAH) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).

Luggage and Ski Shipping Service
Avoid the hassle of carrying and checking bags by sending your luggage and sports equipment ahead with Luggage Forward, the official luggage and sports equipment shipping service of Crested Butte. Arrange your shipping booking online. 

Take advantage of the shuttle services offering a short and scenic 30-minute ride from Gunnison to Crested Butte. Once in town, you are able to take advantage of Crested Butte’s local and free bus system, The Mountain Express.

Alpine Express

Dolly's Mountain Shuttle

ESCAPE TO THE BUTTE WITH NO-PRESSURE BOOKING

Surround yourself with the wilderness of Crested Butte. With lodging flexibility all winter long, we’ve made sure your plans are easy to adjust or cancel if they change.

EXPLORE LODGING
Purple sunrise over Lodge at Mountaineer Square
EXPLORE LODGING

Signature Properties

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The Grand Lodge

Offers 24-hour front desk service in the main lobby during the summer and winter seasons. Please call for off season front desk service hours.
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Lodge at Mountaineer Square

Offers 24-hour front desk service in the main lobby on the ground floor during the summer and winter seasons. Please call for off season front desk service hours.
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Crested Butte, CO

The Plaza & CBMR Managed Properties

Check in for The Plaza and all other CBMR managed properties is at the front desk on the main level of The Plaza. Please call for front desk hours and after hour details of picking up keys for your reservation.
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