The quaint town of Crested Butte, Colorado, a National Historic District located about 230 mi/370 km southwest of Denver, is isolated in the wintertime when the dirt road over Kebler Pass is closed.
Crested Butte's ski area is known for its "Extreme Limits" section—some 448 acres/181 hectares of ungroomed terrain for experts.
There are also 85 groomed trails served by 14 lifts that are more appropriate for beginning and intermediate skiers.
The village at the base of the mountain and the town of Crested Butte (3 mi/5 km away) together offer restaurants, shops, apres-ski amenities, charm and friendly folks at every turn.
Adventure Park features year-round ice skating on a synthetic rink, bungee trampolines and the Climbing Pinnacle, a tower with six climbing routes. A lift-assisted tubing area with multiple lanes is perfect for nonskiers or families looking to cap their day on the slopes.
The Ice Bar restaurant at the base of the Twister Lift offers a revamped deck space. As the name implies, the bar is made of ice, and the menu is upscale. In addition to lunch, the Ice Bar serves Sleighride Dinners as well as Last Tracks dinners for those who want to ski or snowboard into the evening.
In the summer, Crested Butte is a bicycler's paradise: It claims to be the birthplace of mountain biking.
The nearest airport access to Crested Butte is the Gunnison—Crested Butte Regional Airport, 30 mi/50 km south.
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