Crested Butte, nestled in the Elk Mountain range of the Rocky Mountains, is a favorite family vacation destination with beginner and expert ski slopes, quality restaurants, alpine lodging, and a host of summer and winter activities for the whole family.
You'll find something for everyone, whether you want to hit the outdoors for a wild ride with your kids or if you're more interested in exploring the dining and cultural experiences at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the nearby town. Explore everything that a Crested Butte family vacation has to offer next time you plan a trip to Colorado.
Hit the Wide Range of Crested Butte Ski Slopes
Crested Butte (pronounced byoot) offers families a wide range of well-groomed ski slope options, from dedicated slow ski areas to easy, intermediate, and advanced runs that are perfect for the whole family. If you or someone in your family is passionate about extreme skiing or snowboarding, Crested Butte's extreme terrain areas might be the best experience yet. Fondly known as “the Extremes”, these areas require high levels of expertise, making them the perfect challenge for someone already at the top of their game.
Go on a Nordic Skiing Adventure
Crested Butte also has 34 miles of perfectly-groomed trails for classic and skate skiing. You can get your trail passes from the Nordic Center before exploring the wide-open valleys and pine forests that wind through the Elk Mountains. When visiting the Nordic Center, be sure to ask about any up-and-coming Nordic ski races the family can jump in on, or their famous yurt dinners.
Sample a Full Range of Extra Winter Activities
Explore every part of the mountain with winter activities like fat biking, snowmobile tours, snowshoeing, and more before you settle in for some hot chocolate around the fire in the resort base area.
See Colorado's Best Mountain Bike Park
When the mountain isn't a winter wonderland, it's a mountain biker's paradise. The Crested Butte mountain bike park has trails for every experience level. You can rent all your family's equipment in the resort village for instant trail access. There are over 30 miles of trails to explore, and the lifts can take you right up to the top of the best runs to avoid spending energy climbing up before biking down.
Explore the Crested Butte Center for the Arts
Just a five-minute drive south from the mountain resort takes you to the town of Crested Butte, where you'll discover the Center for the Arts. The center features a beautiful, brand new facility, with a full list of local cultural events throughout the year.
You can also sign up for creative classes ranging from performing arts, culinary arts, visual arts, and much more. Enjoy local wine and spirits tasting classes, or let your inner artist out with the center's watercolor and drawing classes.
Crested Butte Family Vacation Activities for Kids
At Crested Butte, you'll find tons of activities perfect for your kids to make sure they have the best mountain experiences. Activities with the entire family are great, but if you have kids of different ages, finding the best activities that suit each one is also a good idea.
Ski and Snowboard Group Lessons
Signing your children up for ski and snowboard lessons could be what they need if they're just getting started or if it's been a while since they've carved the slopes. You'll find group lessons for kids and teens at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels at the Ski & Ride School. All lessons are taught by world-class skiers and snowboarders for the best experience and mountain safety during lessons.
Summer Adventure Park
The Summer Adventure Park is a great way to get the kids out on the mountain when the weather is warm. With all-day and multi-day passes, activities include rock wall climbing, bungee trampolining, and fun panning experiences where kids can mine for their very own gemstones in honor of the region's history.
Family Dining in Crested Butte
An amazing Crested Butte family vacation wouldn't be complete without some delicious food options that adults and kids alike will love. The best part is that you'll find fantastic dining options in the resort village, so you don't have to travel off the resort to find great meals to keep your energy going.
Butte 66
BBQ with a view, right in the heart of the Crested Butte base area! You can hop off the lift and straight into après, complete with a cold pint and a hot sandwich. Burgers are always a great family favorite, regardless of age, and you'll find tasty options on this menu. Butte 66 is also a great place to stop for lunch and a hot chocolate when the kids get tired or cold.
Highlife Crust and Crafts
Conveniently located in the Grand Lodge Hotel, Highlife Crust and Crafts is easily accessible from the lift and from one of the best family hotels in Crested Butte! It’s a casual, family-friendly spot serving up hand-tossed pizza and a great selection of craft beer. Stop in for breakfast to fuel up for a day on the slopes or in the evening for après and dinner.
For more information on the dining options at Crested Butte, here's the full list of restaurants.
Ready to Treat Everyone to a Crested Butte Family Vacation?
Crested Butte has something to offer everyone of all ages, no matter the season. Winter means your family can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiles, and other winter activities on professionally-groomed slopes. In summer you'll enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and much more in the Summer Adventure Park.
The only thing left is to explore the comfortable and spacious lodging options, many of which can accommodate families of all sizes, and book into any seasonal programs for kids that your young ones would love to be a part of.
Have any questions? Contact our friendly team.
