Crested Butte on a Budget
Although Crested Butte is not nearly as expensive as some other resort towns, prices can creep up here and there. That being said, there are plenty of deals to keep your vacation costs down without limiting your experience. With lodging, lift tickets, food, and transportation, you’ll be pleasantly surprised the value Crested Butte has to offer.
Lift Tickets And Rentals
There are some popular dates throughout the year where discounts are hard to find (think major holiday weekends). Other than those dates, deals are usually abundant. Lift ticket half days start at 12:30pm.
Lodging
There plenty of lodging options in both Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Busy weekends in summer and winter tend to increase rates and rooms fill up quickly. One way to cut costs is to consider visiting during less busy weekends (non-holidays especially).
As for Mt. Crested Butte, the Elevation Hotel and The Nordic Inn has some of the most competitive rates available. Both of these locations are within walking distance to the slopes.
Food
Crested Butte is known for great outdoor activities, but when it comes to your post activity eats, there are no shortage of delicious choices. For an affordable meal, there are a number of great options both in town and on the Mountain.
| The Last Steep | $3 cup, $5 bowl of soup to grab and go for lunch on weekdays |
| McGill's | Crested Butte's classic diner serves delicious breakfast and lunch at a great price |
| Kochevars Saloon | They've got you covered late night with burger & fries |
| Clark's Market | The deli makes some loaded sandwiches worth their price |
| The Bakery on Mt. Crested Butte | $1 slices after 3:00pm, as well as discounted calzones |
Happy Hour and Bars
Looking for a good place to watch the game, an apres-ski or bike beverage, or just want a drink after dinner? Save a few coins at these local establishments:
| Brown Lab Pub | Great après specials slopeside |
| The Brick Oven | The most taps in town with nightly specials on their brews |
| Pitas in Paradise | Happy Hour: $1 PBRs and $2 well drinks |
| Kochevars Saloon/Karolines | The Novak: A Shot of Beam and a PBR for $3.50 |
Transportation
The Crested Butte area offers free shuttle service from Mt. Crested, Crested Butte, and Crested Butte South. Each bus is colorfully painted so you can’t miss it. The main bus runs between Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte, and runs every 15 minutes or every 30 minutes after 9pm. Check out this page for more information.
Library
The Old Rock Library was originally build in 1883 as a two story school house. In 1993 after the building served a number of uses, it was transformed into a Library. Today it remains one of the oldest buildings in Crested Butte. The Library offers guest library cards for those visiting. The Library also has free internet, printing and programs and presentations. It is a fantastic place to get lost in a book, or get a few tasks done in some peace and quiet. Head over to their website for hours of operations and more information.
