Crested Butte, Colorado

Height of Resort: 7953ft
Vertical rise: 3062ft
Acres skiable: 1058
Lifts: 15



Lying at the foot of a range of spectacular mountains, Crested Butte (pronounced 'beaut') has a well-deserved reputation for steep double-blacks. The ski village, called Mount Crested Butte, is 3 miles above the bustling town of Crested Butte. A free bus services the ski village from the town, and runs all thru from 7am to 12 midnight.

If you've just taken up skiing, you'll appreciate the long, beginner-friendly trails - the start of these is just a short ride from the base area by the Red Lady chair.

Intermediates will revel in the huge, mixed-gradient bowls - try Paradise run. Alternatively whoop down som fine powder runs through the tree glades situated below Phoenix bowl.

Experienced skiiers will head for the steep couloirs dropping from the mountain ridges - a favorite adrenaline-pumping outing is Banana Funnel.

For snowboarders there's a good choice of 3 terrain parks. (If the excellent freeriding doesn't ring your bell). The biggest of the parks, DC Terrain, has a 100yd long pipe.

If you've opted for convenience and decided to stay in the ski village, don't miss out on a colourful night out to Crested Butte town, which has a rich mining history. Some of the character buildings remain, and are now home to fun restaurants and lively bars.


Our Rating
Best Ski Resorts's rating (out of 5 stars) 4-expert,3-intermediate,3-beginner.