Spotlight By . . .
George Schissler  

CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT…CBMR

     It has been said “the more things change the more they remain the same.”  Another oft’ quoted phrase is, “bigger is not always better.”  I do not know who these quotes are attributed to, but the first one is not correct and the second is only partially accurate when the subject is the Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado.  Bigger is better and as things change at CBMR the improvements have added positively to what this ski area offers.

     My first visit to Crested Butte took place sometime around the winter of 1986.  The years which quickly passed have witnessed a constant, although subtle change.  Improvements in lifts and lift capacity, the addition of ski terrain and a variety of overnight accommodations are among the more noticeable changes which now benefit vacationers. 

     I checked back into one of my old copies of The White Book of Ski Areas and it revealed just how much the resort has grown since 1986.  The lifts have increased from eleven to 13 including three high-speed quads; lift capacity went from 13,550 to18,160 p/h; trails went from 81 to 85, while skiable terrain grew from 755 acres to a sizable 1,058 acres, much of it advanced/expert; longest run stretched to 2.6 miles from 1.9 miles and the vertical increased by seven hundred plus feet to a respectable 3,062 feet.  About the only noteworthy statistic that did not change is the annual snowfall  which still reaches 300 inches (25 feet) during the December to April winter season.

     Note: Advanced terrain includes the North Face which allows Crested Butte to claim more double black diamond skiing than any other Colorado resort. Crested Butte is also the site of the annual U.S. Extreme Skiing and Snowboarding Championships. 

     These are just some of the additions and improvements which have taken place during the 16 years since my first visit to the “Butte.”  It would be difficult to venture a guess as to the number of beds now available. There are hundreds of ski-in, ski-out condos, apartments and rooms, all of which eliminate the hassle of lugging equipment while trying to keep track of the youngsters.  And by all means bring the kids.  Crested Butte has a Children’s Ski Center which is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The facility includes a nursery, day care and rental center for children six years and under.

     CBMR is a year-round resort located adjacent to the town of Crested Butte itself---also known as, “the last great Colorado ski town,” a justly deserved reputation.   However,  there is much more for a visitor to experience than a great ski experience and an old mining town.  Their summer activities include golf, mountain climbing, fishing, mountain biking (it is the home of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame,) a sightseeing walk through town and whatever else a vacationer might enjoy when there is no snow. 

     However, when the cold breath of Mother Nature changes the brightly colored autumn landscape to snowy white there is every type of winter activity that snow accommodates.  Naturally, alpine skiing is the predominate attraction, but there is also cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling excursions in the Gunnison National Forest, ice skating, sleigh rides and dog sledding.  On a day off just sitting in a slope side condominium by the warmth of a cozy fire and taking in nature’s treat to the eye also adds to a ski vacation memory. 

     There are several fine dining establishments on the mountain itself but sometime during your ski or summer vacation hop on the free shuttle bus to town and experience the unique and historic architecture of an era long gone by—but that’s just the façade. Even though the town has been declared a historic site many of the buildings have been preserved and house some of the finest restaurants found anywhere in ski country. 

     Getting to Crested Butte is also convenient. Continental Airlines provides air transportation from Houston to Gunnison, although at present this service is only available on Saturdays.  United Airlines and United Express from Denver to Gunnison will get you on the final leg of your journey from just about anywhere.  Ski shuttles are there to meet all flights into Gunnison.

     To make travel and vacation arrangements, contact Crested Butte at 1- 800-544-8448 www.CrestedButteResort.com and they will take care of all the details to insure that your stay at the resort is a most enjoyable one.    

By George Schissler