I grew up on Colorado’s Western Slope and have been to every touristy spot in the state. And considering its remote, spectacular location, historic mining past and world-class trails, Crested Butte is one of my two favorite Colorado ski towns. Hands down. (Telluride is the other and will be featured in a future Wide Open Ride.) Nestled deep in the Rockies, Crested Butte is surrounded by mountain peaks.  Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowbiking are daytime must-dos. After hours or for a midday break, the quaint downtown features numerous shops, galleries and coffeehouses. For a town this size, the restaurant options are impressive and generally outstanding so be sure to make reservations as seats fill up fast. But unlike better known Colorado ski towns, one of Crested Butte’s charms is that it never really feels crowded. Because it’s isolated and harder to reach, skiers from Denver and Colorado Springs keep to closer slopes. And while Crested Butte attracts plenty of well-heeled visitors, it doesn’t feel pretentious. There are no chain stores or stoplights. The colorful historic buildings, alpenglow sunsets and quiet lifestyle create a cozy, small-town feel – steps away from wilderness.

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Best Time to Visit

It’s not uncommon for snow to fall from late September to late May. The best winter conditions are generally mid-December to late March.  Christmas and New Year’s are peak times. Crested Butte is also an amazing summer destination with mild temperatures, endless wildflowers and some of Colorado’s finest hiking and biking trails. Fall comes early and brings gorgeous swaths of color as the aspen change. Spring is muddy from melting snow.