We get it; downhill skiing is not for everyone. Knees have limits, kids have opinions, and some people come just for the town. Here is what winter in Crested Butte offers without ski lifts.
Opens Nov 14. Fifty five kilometers of groomed trail. Rentals and lessons available.
Explore 55 kilometers of manicured cross country ski trails all around Crested Butte. The trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiing and suit every ability level, from beginner to advanced.
Renting gear is easy and affordable. Reserve it online in advance and pick it up at the Crested Butte Nordic Center, along with any trail passes you might need. You can also schedule lessons to improve your skills, and backcountry tours for an unforgettable experience.
Historic Elk Avenue and the colorful houses on the side streets.
There are plenty of interesting and historic buildings to check out along Elk Avenue. Explore the side streets too, and you will likely come upon some beautiful and quite colorful houses.
Wander on a bluebird day or walk through the soft snowfall, and you will be surprised how different each building is from the next.
Opens Nov 14. The winter counterpart to hiking. Backcountry tours available.
For those who love hiking, snowshoeing is your winter counterpart. Go practically anywhere, from groomed trails to pristine backcountry wilderness. Anyone who can walk can snowshoe, and Crested Butte has plenty of beautiful trails.
For rentals and trail suggestions, visit the Crested Butte Nordic Center, and make reservations or buy trail passes in advance. Backcountry tours are available, and our Crested Butte Snowshoeing guide has the trails.
Pastries, soup and mimosas, a mile out on skis or snowshoes.
Ski or snowshoe out to the Magic Meadows Yurt on a winter Sunday for the bistro. The à la carte menu runs to fresh pastries, soup, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, beer and mimosas, with gluten free and vegan options.
No reservation needed, and the whole family is welcome. Leave the dog at home. The yurt takes cash and cards.
Pay a visit to Rumors Coffee and Tea House for espresso, tea and other specialty beverages. Once you have a hot drink in hand, scan the wide selection at Townie Books, the cozy neighborhood bookstore adjacent to Rumors. Get your buzz on, grab a book, browse the web, or enjoy some live music and local art.
Opens Nov 27. Mining, skiing and mountain biking history, on Elk Avenue.
The Crested Butte Museum preserves and shares the history of Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. Its exhibits explore the history of mining, skiing, mountain biking and more, and guides lead historic walking tours of Elk Avenue.
Admission to the exhibits is donation based. The museum is a non profit and relies on donations to keep local history alive.
A vibrant wellness community of massage therapists, yogis, holistic practitioners and teachers awaits anyone in need of a body, mind or spiritual tune up.
It is always good to stay fit, no matter the season. There are a couple of yoga studios in town and a bunch of gyms to choose from as well. See Crested Butte Crossfit, Yoga, & Gyms.
Take a leisurely stroll down Elk Avenue and visit Crested Butte’s numerous retail shops, specialty stores and galleries. You won’t find any corporate chains here, just truly unique gifts, styles and hidden gems not found elsewhere.
Grab a map and stroll through Crested Butte’s galleries. Experience the work of local artists, and watch the calendar for special ArtWalk evenings. Strolling is free, and the art is available for purchase.
Fat biking is a fun, low impact winter activity and a great alternative to skiing. Rent a fat bike at a few shops on the mountain or in town, or bring your own and ride CBMBA’s groomed trails. It is easier on your body, and you still get to see the surrounding mountains in an active way.
Skip it if it snowed a foot overnight. Soft trails are no fun on a bike.
Starts Dec 21. $185. The dinner people plan the trip around.
One mile of groomed trail, 40 seats and five courses from chef Tim Egelhoff. Skis or snowshoes, a guide, the drinks and the tip are all in the price. There are 28 dinners between December 21 and March 20, and they sell out, so book before you pack.
A shuttle leaves the Nordic Center at 4:45 on request. On winter Sundays the same yurt opens as a walk in bistro.
French inspired cuisine in the cutest historical cabin in CB.
An amazing culinary experience awaits at the cutest historical cabin in CB. Soupçon serves French inspired cuisine from renowned chef John Leonardi. This is the perfect spot for special and memorable occasions, with two seatings per night, at 5:30 and 7:45. Book a reservation before your visit.
Après does not require a lift ticket. A handful of cocktail bars pour downtown on Elk Avenue and in the base area, so the non-skiers can start whenever they like.
Meet the skiers at the bottom of the hill when the lifts close, or make them come to you.
The best dessert shop has not one but two locations: one in the ski base area on the mountain and one right off Elk Avenue in town. At Tin Cup Desserts and Ice Cream you can taste some truly unique flavors of ice cream, try one of a dozen different milkshakes, or pick from many other sweet treats.
Outdoor fire pits and a hot beverage of your choice.
Outdoor fire pits are the perfect place to warm up with a hot beverage of your choice. There are a couple in the ski base area, including right in front of the Coffee Lab and on the patio of the Elevation Hotel next to the lifts. If you are staying at the Nordic Inn, there are a couple there too.
Our winter concert calendar has a killer lineup of music, all season long. You can’t go wrong with a day of exploring and a night of music. Check the event schedule and plan your trip.
Live shows at the Mountain Theatre, new films at the Majestic.
If you are looking for local entertainment, see what is happening at the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre. From live shows to events, the theater is sure to give you a novel experience. If you prefer the latest film, swing by the Majestic Theatre next to Clark’s supermarket.
If you are lucky enough to stay at a place with a hot tub, like many of the Traverse Hospitality condos, you can enjoy some rest and relaxation even as the snowflakes fall.
From $200. A unique experience to tell your friends about.
Looking for a unique experience to tell your friends about? Try being pulled by a team of dogs through the snow filled wilderness of the Colorado Rockies. The Mushing Mutts offer family friendly fun out of Ohio City, east of Gunnison, and take reservations by phone.
Opens mid December. Right next to the Nordic Center.
The open air Big Mine Ice Arena is free to the public. It sits right next to the Nordic Center at 620 2nd Street. If you need skates, pop in to the Nordic Shop, where rentals are $25 for adults and $15 for kids.
The Town of Crested Butte runs the rink and posts the open skate schedule. The ice is tentatively set to open in mid December, conditions permitting. There are also a couple of free outdoor rinks in Crested Butte South if you have your own skates.
This one is family friendly, free, and good for some exercise too. There are multiple spots in the area, including a popular one for the kiddos just past downtown Crested Butte off Hwy 135 and Pyramid Ave, on the right side as you head up toward the mountain.
For anglers of any skill level, with all the equipment provided.
Ice fishing in the Gunnison Valley is a great winter activity for anglers of any skill level. Professional guides at Three Rivers Resort provide all the equipment for a productive and safe trip on the ice: augers, ice huts, heaters, fish finders, rods, reels and all terminal tackle.
Virtual golf, zombie dodgeball and a full service bar.
Birdies Golf Bar is right off Elk Avenue, attached to Pitas in Paradise. Bring friends and family for all kinds of virtual games, including golf, soccer, football, zombie dodgeball and many others. A full service bar sits right by the gaming area, so order at your leisure.
With many roads and passes closed for the winter, snowmobiling is a fast and fun way to get into the backcountry. There is an extensive trail system, and local rental companies offer both guided and unguided rentals. Guided tours range from a few hours to all day.
Head on over to Rainbow Park or any open field and work with what we have in abundance here. Carrot and coal not included, but you should be able to find them in local stores. Bonus points for any bigger than a car.
WhereRainbow Park
This Week in Town
Shows, readings, trivia and the odd parade, straight from our events calendar.
Do you need a pass to cross country ski in Crested Butte?
On most of the 55 km Crested Butte Nordic system, yes. A day pass is $30 for adults and $10 for kids, sold in person at the Nordic Center on Second Street. About 10 km at the Town Ranch and on the Rec Path are free.
Is ice skating free in Crested Butte?
Yes, if you bring your own skates. The Big Mine Ice Arena next to the Nordic Center is run by the Town of Crested Butte, which sets the open skate schedule. Rentals at the Nordic Center are $25 for adults and $15 for kids.
Where can kids go sledding in Crested Butte?
The hill off Pyramid Avenue just past town is the local favorite for kids, the school hill is gentler, and the Snodgrass trailhead has the longest run. All three are free.
