Crested Butte Travel Guide

  Cutest kid on the Mountain..."Alex da...
by Velzy
 
  • Cutest kid on the Mountain...
      Cutest kid on the Mountain..."Alex da...
    by Velzy
  • Main Street Crested Butte
      Main Street Crested Butte
    by goingsolo
  • Crested Butte
      Crested Butte
    by goingsolo
  • Crested Butte bottom of the slopes
      Crested Butte bottom of the slopes
    by Velzy
  • Slope side for lunch and FIRE!!
      Slope side for lunch and FIRE!!
    by Velzy
 

Explore Crested Butte

Things to Do  

Pick up Kid Friendly Magazine

Pick up Kid Friendly Magazine, Crested Butte

 trishkuby Says:  If you have kids and you're traveling to Crested Butte or Gunnison, do NOT MISS this magazine. It's not one of those ad -filled coupon-filled junk mail type magazines.This is packed with detailed information on how to get around, what do do with kids, and insider tips to... 

climb a mountain.

climb a mountain., Crested Butte

 JeffBea Says:  I had previously never seen a mountain in my life. But after going to Colorado, I have now sat on top of one. hah! It is still wierd to think about, since I grew up around Chicago. Everything is pretty much flat around here. So anyway. The mountain is around 12,200 or so... 

View from 12,000 feet

View from 12,000 feet, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  Once you reach the top, all of your questions are answered. Not just "are we there yet", but the burning question of why on earth did we do this. The picture doesn't do the view of the surrounding mountains justice. On a clear day, you can see a 360 degree view of the Elk... 

The summit

The summit, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  Every hiker or climber knows about the dreaded last mile. There are far more "are we there yets?" quieried during this 1,700 feet than at any other point in the hike. And the last mile of a summit really calls much into question, including one's sanity. This hike was no... 

Views from above

Views from above, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  Once you get above treeline, take a moment (or two, or ten) to catch your breath as the scenery has changed dramatically. The views from near the top are incredible, but are nothing to what awaits. But in this not quite alpine zone, the chance of viewing wildlife increases,... 

Hiking in the mountains

Hiking in the mountains, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  There are countless opportunities to hike in Crested Butte. Once ski season is over, there is a transition period betweenin late May and early June where the town is practically deserted. Many of the shops and restaurants along the small town center area are closed and hotel... 

Hotels  

Crested Butte Intl. Lodge & Hostel

 1 Review and 13 Opinions  I didn't stay here, but felt this place was worth mentioning because I'd heard so much about it. The... 

Elizabeth Anne Bed and Breakfast

 1 Review and 0 Opinions  To whom it may concern, I would NOT recommend this bed & breakfast under any circumstances. There... 

Restaurants  

Le Soupcon: world class dining in a small town!

Le Soupcon: world class dining in a small town!, Crested Butte

 mollynsteve Says:  We have enjoyed outstanding dinners here over the years. It has now changed hands, with a new chef, but the tradition remains the same. For such a small resort village Crested Butte has some great restaurants, and this is among its best.Quite small, perfect for that romantic... 

Harry's Fine Dining: classy small restaurant!

Harry's Fine Dining: classy small restaurant!, Crested Butte

 mollynsteve Says:  This restaurant now has a new name - about half a dozen tables plus a small bar area. A great new chef preparing French continental cuisine pared with a small but good wine list. Attentive service in a romantic setting. Another great restaurant option in the small town of... 

Le Soupcon: fine dining, intimate setting

Le Soupcon: fine dining, intimate setting, Crested Butte

 mollynsteve Says:  We have had wonderful dinners here over the years. The restaurant has a new chef, and we are pleased to report that he continues in the same elegant tradition. Crested Butte has an inordinate number of great restaurants for a resort its size, and this one is among the... 

Crested Butte Bakery and Cafe: Crested Butte Bakery and Cafe

Crested Butte Bakery and Cafe: Crested Butte Bakery and Cafe, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  The Crested Butte Bakery and Cafe is located just off the main town road, past the town's only stop sign. This is a great place to make a quick stop for croissants, muffins or bagels in the morning and to pick up a fresh sandwich for afternoon adventures. I did both and was... 

Powerhouse Bar and Grill: Powerhouse Bar and Grill

Powerhouse Bar and Grill: Powerhouse Bar and Grill, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  Aside from the few fine dining restaurants which cater to the adjacent Mount Crested Butte crowd, most Crested Butte restaurants contain the phrase "bar and grill" attached to their names. This one is no exception, but this is the Mexican version of Crested Butte's bar and... 

The Wooden Nickel: The wooden Nickel

The Wooden Nickel: The wooden Nickel, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  The Wooden Nickel is a popular bar and restaurant, perhaps more so the former than the latter. It is supposed to be a great place for steak, especially prime rib.Unfortunately, the restaurant ran out of prime rib when I was there, so I can't back up that statement. But the... 

Local Customs  

The wildflower capital of Colorado
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

goingsolo 2750 reviews
Columbines

Crested Butte proudly considers itself the wildflower capital of Colorado. Every year, in mid-July, the wildflower festival is held in town.

Updated Jul 9, 2003

Related to:
 Arts and Culture
 Photography

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Warnings and Dangers  

Read the Signs!
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TrailQueen 1 reviews

Parking regulations in Crested Butte are strictly enforced - especially in winter when snow removal from the narrow streets is a concern. There are signs on every block spelling out where you can park when. Your car will be ticketed and towed if parked on the wrong side of the street overnight. And yes, the speed limit really is 15 mph.

Written Dec 5, 2003

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Skiing and Boarding
 Cycling

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What to Pack  

WARM SOCKS
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TONYAEESTES 1 reviews

Luggage and bags: A carry on with some snacks.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Invest in some good warm socks. Even when you go to town at night you will want to wear some warm socks and gloves if you're going to be walking around. I even wore leggings under my jeans (Hey what can I say I'm from GA):). Also, if your going to ski don't forget goggles and something to pull up over your face. And don't forget just because it's cold that doesn't mean that you don't need sunscreen.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring some ibuprofen, you might have achy muscles if you have not skied in a while or not at all. Don't forget about the kids.

Photo Equipment: I would recommended a disposable camera to carry down as your skiing, that way if fall you won't lose anything expensive.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Don't forget bathing suits if the place your staying has a pool.

Written Feb 27, 2009

Related to:
 Skiing and Boarding

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Off The Beaten Path  

Banish all the lawyers

Banish all the lawyers, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  The mining town of Ruby, founded in the 1800s near Crested Butte, passed an ordinance which read "No lawyer shall be permitted to practice within the district." The penalty for violating this order was 50 lashes and banishment. 

Bet you didn't know this....

Bet you didn't know this...., Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  Crested Butte is home to the only functioning two story outhouse, located at the back of the masonic Hall (or now known as the Senior Center) At one time, there was a two story outhouse attached to the back of CB City Hall. However, when the Marshall's office was expanded... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Snowboarding on Thanksgiving 2004
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3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Velzy 16 reviews
Crested Butte bottom of the slopes
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Yes, it is affectionately called "Crusty Butt".....You are NOT the first person to think of that...now get on with your life!! Crested Butte for Thanksgiving. There wasn't much snow but we had fun. Rented a small house and packed it with friends and strangers (some friends brought other friends). All in all it was okay. The people at the local rental shops were very cool and helpful. The folks in the restaurants were friendly and had lots of tips on where to hang out and find a good drink. The only place we went was there at the slopes... There is a nice restaurant/bar with a FIRE pit to dry off around. Heavenly!!

Get a place with a kitchen. You save SO much money that way! The local grocery store was not expensive and was open late! The "town" area had spas, massage places and little shoppes..I didn't wander around much.

We amused ourselves with cracker eating contests and "who can teach the new girl to snowboard" sessions...finally...I'm NOT the new girl LOL!

Be sure to watch snow reports. We were lucky enough to get some new snow on our last day out. The runs I took had decent powder on the edges. There were a few little parks for boarders to play in...Yes, I braved a little jump...there is even video footage of that! I so own that little jump now!!!

If if never went back to Crusty Butt, I'd be okay with that. It didn't impress me, and it was crowded with too little snow. Maybe later in the season it gets better! Lordy lordy, where is one to go boarding on Thanksgiving?!?!?

Equipment: Look at Craigslist.org for places to rent. I rarely like resorts. You can usually find cheaper places in town, and its not that far to the slopes. Most of the rental shops were the same...you can drive up and drop off your passengers at the slopes to avoid any whiners in your group! ;)

Written Aug 13, 2006

Address: PO Box 5700 / 12 Snowmass Road, Crested Butte, CO

Phone: 970-349-2262 or 888-317-6482

Website: http://www.skicb.com/page.php?pname=summer/home

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Adventure Travel
 Skiing and Boarding

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Favorites  

Getting away from it all

Getting away from it all, Crested Butte

 tiredwithkids Says:  The whole town shuts down sometimes at 10pm (except for a few dance bars)Most people are active during the day...skiing, hiking, whatever.It's "extreme" athleticism!It's great for families, to, because there's so much the kids can do there! There are tons of easy hikes,... 

High above

High above, Crested Butte

 goingsolo Says:  Up high I feel like I'mAlive for the very first timeUp high I'm strong enoughTo take these dreams and make them mineCreed, Higher Having lunch at 12,000 feet on a clear day with a cool breeze and an endless view of the mountains. From here we could see Mt. Crested Butte,... 

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Map of Crested Butte