Crested Butte: The Mountain and More
You know you have arrived in Crested Butte, CO when you see that legendary landmark mountain that stands out among the rest. You can see ski chutes stemming from the south face of Mount Crested Butte- a spot where expert skiers skin up for the thrill of skiing down in fresh powder.
This mountain, which is surrounded by the Gunnison National Forest and the Elk Mountain Range, is the birthplace of extreme skiing. It’s easy to see why with runs like Rambo, which is the steepest cut run in North America. It has a 55-degree pitch and length of 300 meters. More options for double black runs can be found at the top of the mountain where steep and rocky terrain including bowls, chutes, glades and mandatory cliff jumps easily make this mountain one of the most daring in the country.
But Crested Butte Mountain Resort isn’t just a destination for those looking for challenging terrain. Intermediate and beginner skiers and boarders in search of double greens, blues and double blues will find their fare share of fun among the 120 trails spread across the mountain.
To really tune up your skills, book a lesson (both private and groups are available) at The Crested Butte Ski and Ride School. With pro guides like Roger, you will definitely make strides with your skiing. My favorite part about the lesson was that he acted more like a coach than an instructor and took an enthusiastic approach. Through a series of drills, I felt like my skiing was taken to a new level. Before the lesson, I started out intimated on blues and by the end felt ready to start focusing on blacks.
To gain the confidence, we started with a drill called whisker turns. Roger told me to drop my poles just behind me to touch the ground and to keep them there while turning. This helped me become more aware of my body position and keep my downhill shoulder higher than the uphill one. We later tried the basketball drill to start tightening up my turning radius and to learn to edge. In this drill, I handed off my poles before crouching low to the ground on turns and mimicing a low dribble and then standing high pretending to shoot a ball when coming out of the turn. One of my favorites (though I still need to work on mastering it) is completing a 180-degree turn-, which is not only fun but helps gain more confidence and to better balance weight on your getaway sticks.
What to do off the Mountain:
Fat Biking
Crested Butte is one of the leaders of the pack when it comes to the fat biking craze. These bikes are set up like a traditional mountain bike but have much wider and thicker wheels with a much lower tire pressure to help riders grip snow. For some of the closest trails to the ski mountain, check out North Village where Crested Butte Mountain Resort grooms trails specifically for fat biking. You will find trails for all levels. More experienced riders will love challenging climbs and fast descents. Those newer to the sport can choose to stay on rolling hills and find a thrill on some of the high-banked turns. There is always the chance of falling especially in soft snow- but don’t let fear seep in because you will land in a pile of fresh powder. Tip: Park at the Snodgrass trailhead.
Elevation Spa: After a day on the mountain, check out the Elevation Hotel & Spa at the base. Treatments include massages, facials and body wraps. My top pick is the Elevation Signature facial, which is customized to your skin using a product line called Eminence, an plant based organic product line that doesn’t use any pesticides or hormones. Spa treatments include use of the fitness center, tranquility rooms, steam, pool and tub.
Explore Town: Shuttles run between town and Crested Butte Mountain Resort every 15 minutes (Check out the shuttle schedule here). In downtown you will find delicious restaurants (Here are some of our favorites) boutiques and outdoor sports shops. If you are looking for more outdoor activities, head to the Crested Butte Nordic Center where you can rent snowshoes and cross-country ski equipment before exploring nearby trails.
Where to Stay: The Nordic Inn
Best of all the Nordic Inn is about a 5-minute walk or 2-minute complimentary golf cart ride to the base area. This is the longest operating lodge in the county. It opened in 1963, at a time when black and white photos show only the Inn, ski resort and a few cabins set up on the mountain.
A husband and wife team, Ken & Kim, are two of the new owners and have updated the property with modern mountain décor. Each morning, guests can enjoy a continental breakfast in the common area where the best seat in the house is in front of the roaring fireplace. But post skiing, the best seat in the house is in the hot tub on the back deck. There are several room types available- including a chalet that sleeps up to 8 people and standard rooms that sleep 2-4 people. There are also 13 pet-friendly rooms so this is definitely one of the best options to book if you are brining your furry buddy along.
