They call crested butte "the last great colorado ski town". It could be true, the town is the largest historic district in colorado, looking just like a hollywood film set. The ski area is one of the only major ski areas in the usa to have been family owned since 1961. Now that doesn't mean that the ski area is undeveloped because ma Walton wanted to buy a new fur coat every winter. Far from it. The Callaways and the Waltons, who developed the ski company and much of the base area were well aware that the skiing and the lifts had to be second to none if they were going to continue to attract skiers from not only the usa but also from all over the world. Not that they could have done it all on their own, nature was very, very good to them and provided a mountain that not only looks good but has slopes for all abilities. The beginner areas are superb for those of you taking your first tentative steps on those long thin planks or even those of you hoping not to bruise your back-side too much as you learn the skills of snowboarding! Many ski areas are great for beginners or great for intermediates or advanced and experts but very few are suitable for letting skiers progress from one skill level to another. Crested Butte has slopes of every conceivable pitch which enables skiers and boarders to go from one to the other without ever panicking and feeling that the next slope is too steep.
This is a great confidence builder and means that every skier or boarder can improve here no matter how timid they may be. a great place for families!
For advanced/expert skiers and boarders this is heaven. The front face of the mountain is all double black diamonds with open runs and glades to delight the best. The extreme limits is enough to make anyone smile. You'll realize how good it is when you get to the bottom, after plunging through bottomless powder, and you look round to all your friends and notice that they're all loudly laughing and giggling uncontrollably. You'll all be straight back up the lift as fast as you can to do it all over again.
Lift Operation: 9 am - 4 pm
Lift Capacity: 17,440 people per hour
Number Of Lifts: 14
High Speed Quads: 3
Triple Chairs: 3
Double Chairs: 3
Surface Lifts: 4
Magic Carpet: 1
Total Acreage: 1,160 includes 550 "Extreme Limits"
Trails: 85
Longest Run: Peak to Treasury: 2.6 miles requires a climb
Top Of Lift: 11,875ft310 days of sunshine per year!
