Resort Guide for Crested Butte, USA

Resort Profile

If it's a traditional attractive down home western style resort true to its ranching roots rather than a purpose built ski resort that does it for you then Crested Butte is a potential favourite. The main street of the old town Elk Street still has rows of restored 19th century wooden fronted shops. Crested Butte town itself is about three miles from the Butte mountain, which stands alone.

Resort Statistics

	Resort Height : 2855
	Top Station : 3619
	Bottom Station : 2774
	Vertical Descent : 845
	Drag Lifts : 4
	Chair Lifts : 9
	Opens : Nov - April
	Expert Rating : 7
	Intermediate Rating : 6
	Beginner Rating : 7

Accomodation & Après Ski

Crested Butte town itself is about three miles from the Butte mountain, which stands alone. At the base stations there are various accommodation options - mostly modern condominiums and a couple of upmarket full service hotels - the Marriot and the Sheraton Resort. The Mt. Crested Butte accommodations are not all ski in and out, but the Marriott is and the Sheraton is also self contained with an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness centre, restaurants, bar, deli and retail shops. Otherwise The Gateway offers good value one, two and three bed condos within a couple of minutes walk from the Silver Queen lift. The area is reputedly blessed with more good affordable restaurants than any other snowsports resort in the West. Certainly there is everything from economic group and family dining to expensive gourmet dining. Nightlife still pretty much means a choice of bars, but there are plenty. For apres ski per se it is Rafters in the Gothic building which starts off early near the bottom of the lifts, but thereafter there is usually plenty going on later in town. Reporters recommend Kochevar's - a wild west saloon style bar - the Wooden Nickel and the also the Idle Spur, a microbrewery with a good choice of eats also.