Crested Butte, Colorado Rockies

Crested Butte: 5 things to know before you go

Colorado Rockies, United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

Crested Butte is one of America's legendary destinations for steep and extreme skiing, home to the fearsome Extreme Limits and a maze of chutes that test even the strongest skiers. Below the mountain lies a beautifully preserved Victorian mining town, capping an end-of-the-road sense of remoteness deep in the Colorado Rockies.

1.Is the snow reliable in Crested Butte?

Generally yes. From 2858 m at the base to 3707 m up top, the profile holds snow well across a normal winter (score 86/100).

2.Do you need a car, or can you ski in and out?

Ski-in/ski-out depends on the address here: some hotels are on the snow, others need a short walk or shuttle. Pick a slopeside address if skiing from the door matters to you.

3.How big is the ski area, and who is it for?

With 80 km of piste on 15 lifts, it is a mid-size area, easy to get to know over a long weekend. The terrain is balanced (17 green, 29 blue, 30 red, 45 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.

4.What is the resort like?

Crested Butte stands out for demanding terrain for strong skiers and serious off-piste and freeride terrain.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Nov 26 to Apr 5 (about 19 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. The altitude also holds spring snow, so late-season skiing stays good well into spring.

The full Crested Butte guide

Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.

See the full Crested Butte guide β†’

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Crested Butte have?
About 849 m of vertical, from a 2858 m base to 3707 m at the top.
Is Crested Butte part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 80 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Crested Butte good for beginners?
Yes. With 17 green and 29 blue runs, there is plenty of gentle terrain to learn on.

Where to stay

Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort
4.72.0k reviews
€215
β˜… Top pick

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Excellent Β· 2.0k reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Crested Butte, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

Guests rate this hotel as excellent (4.7/5 from 1,985 reviews). It sits about 100 m from the slopes. A upper-scale option for Crested Butte, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

β‰ˆ 100 m to the slopesUpper-scale
From
€215/ night
Check availability β†’
Old Town Inn
4.8836 reviews
€200

Old Town Inn

Excellent Β· 836 reviews

Why we like it

One of the highest-rated places to stay in Crested Butte, with guests singling out the service and comfort.

β‰ˆ 4.0 km to the slopesUpper-scale
From
€200/ night
Check availability β†’
Elevation Hotel & Spa
3.91.1k reviews
€145

Elevation Hotel & Spa

Good Β· 1.1k reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Crested Butte, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

β‰ˆ 150 m to the slopesMid-range
From
€145/ night
Check availability β†’
Grand Lodge Crested Butte by Traverse Hospitality
3.9853 reviews
€160

Grand Lodge Crested Butte by Traverse Hospitality

Good Β· 853 reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Crested Butte, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

β‰ˆ 300 m to the slopesMid-range
From
€160/ night
Check availability β†’

Ratings and review counts from Google Places. We may earn a commission on bookings.

Live snow reportSki-in/ski-out: United States