College Winter Break to Crested Butte

Crested Butte is what most people envision when they conjure up an image of a Colorado Ski Town – and their moniker “The Last Great American Ski Town” fits perfectly.

Crested Butte receives epic snow conditions, and is a perfect choice for groups that want to do their own thing, ski / board it all on one mountain, and avoid the crowds.

Which students are best suited for choosing Crested Butte, Colorado?

• Those that want to keep it all tight with their own group or ski club
• Unpretentious –they keep it real
• Great mountain town/small town atmosphere - the locals are friendly & amazing
• Another resort where lift lines are mathematically impossible
• Great resort to learn to ski or board
• Double Black skier or boarder tired of not being terrain challenged? That ends with a trip to Crested Butte

Mountain Stats & Facts

Crested Butte Overview and Stats
Crested Butte is located in southwest Colorado, within the Gunnison National Forest and the Elk Mountain Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The resort lies in the town of Mt. Crested Butte, three miles from the town of Crested Butte, one of Colorado's largest National Historic Districts, originally settled in the 1880s as a mining supply camp.

Permanent population
Mt. Crested Butte - 707
Crested Butte - 1,629

Distance from major centers:
30 miles/48 km north of Gunnison
230 miles/368 km southwest of Denver
90 miles/144 km northeast of Montrose
197 miles/315 km west of Colorado Springs
17 air miles/27 km (and one very big mountain range) from Aspen. Two and 1/2 hour drive in the summer, approximately four to five hour drive in the winter. (Kebler Pass is closed during winter months)

Nearest airport
Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport (GUC), 31 miles/48 km to the south. Montrose Airport (MTJ) 96 miles.

Airlines
United Airlines offers seasonal daily Airbus jet service from Denver to the Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport. In addition, United Express provides daily connections via Denver to Gunnison/Crested Butte year-round. American Airlines provides non-stop daily 757-jet service from Dallas to Gunnison/Crested Butte.

Season dates
November 26, 2008 to April 5, 2009

Lift operating hours
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(High Lift & East River Lift close at 3:30 pm. North Face Lift closes at 3:00 pm)

Summit elevation
12,162 ft/3,707 m

Base elevation
9,375 ft/2,856 m

Lowest lift
9,100 ft/2,774 m

Vertical
2,775 ft/846 m - lift-served
3,062 ft/933 m - requires short hike to Peak

Terrain
1,167 acres

Snowmaking
282 acres of terrain covered by 14 of 16 lifts

Lifts
16 total -- 4 high-speed detachable quad chairs, 2 fixed grip quad, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, 3 surface lifts, 2 Magic Carpets

Lift capacity
20,310 people/hour

Trails
121 total -- 23% beginner, 57% intermediate, 20% advanced

Longest run
2.6 miles/ 4.2 km (Peak to Treasury)

DC Superpipe
Located at the top of Forest Queen. The dimensions for the superpipe are: 55' wide, 18' high, and a slope of 17 degrees

Terrain parks
The DC Canaan Terrain Park, (2600 foot park) located under the Paradise Lift includes jumps of various shapes, sizes and sequences and rail features for intermediates to advanced riders. The popular Kid's Park is located off the Painter Boy lift and open to skiers, snowboarders and snowskates. The park includes beginner hits and features that include rails, tabletops, rolls and a mini halfpipe. Open to all ages.

Tubing Hill
In case your kids aren't tired enough, a children's tubing hill will be available after the lifts close at the base of the Red Lady Express. This hill is lit for nighttime tubing.

Atlas snowshoe loop
2 miles/1.2 km
Two daily tours available/moonlight tours available in January, February and March

Average annual snowfall
300 inches

Lodging bed base
Mt. Crested Butte - 5,000 pillows
Crested Butte - 550 pillows

Bars and restaurants
On-mountain - 5
Mt. Crested Butte - 8
Crested Butte - 28