Crested Butte

As the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte doesn’t shy away from beauty and postcard-worthy scenery. Our small mountain town at the end of the road is surrounded by 1.7 million acres of National Forest, which leaves visitors and locals alike with innumerable adventures to be had.

With the dramatic scenery of Paradise Divide, rolling hills dotted with flowers of every color, and the charm of downtown Crested Butte, this is truly paradise found.

There are few places that can still be called a real Colorado ski town, and Crested Butte is one of them. When you walk around town, you’ll feel it in the unparalleled views and the meticulously preserved false-front buildings reminiscent of its mining days. There are no traffic lights, no chain stores, and no high-rise buildings. Yet you’ll quickly see there’s no shortage of entertainment and dining options—all run by some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. As both a designated Creative and Historic District, you can spend a full day immersed in historic buildings, art galleries, museums, local shops, and restaurants.

Creative Arts District: From our hand-painted buses by local artists to the numerous local galleries downtown, artistic expression can be found in almost every corner of our small town. Crested Butte was officially certified as a Creative District in the summer of 2016, joining 17 other creative districts in the state of Colorado.

National Historic District: The town boasts one of Colorado's largest National Historic Districts, with charm impossible to convey in words. In 1990, the Colorado Legislature designated Crested Butte as the official “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” In addition, the area was one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, along with Marin County, California, where old Schwinn bikes were being transformed into bikes with wider tires for more rugged terrain and the potholes that lined Elk Avenue (the town’s main street).

****Suggestion for image: A historic building or a scenic view of downtown Crested Butte****

Nestled at the base of Mount Crested Butte is the Mountain Village offering a variety of lodging, dining, activities, and shopping. This base area provides access to the mountain by loading onto the Silver Queen Express or the Red Lady Express Lifts.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is a short 5-minute drive from the Town of Crested Butte. Mountain Express operates a free shuttle between the towns of Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte. During the height of the season, it comes every 15 minutes so you’ll never wait long for a ride.

Located off the beaten path, Crested Butte is known for some of the best lift-served extreme terrain in the nation. Home to the first winter X Games, the longest extreme skiing competition in the world, quirky costume events, and our friendly vibe; Crested Butte is a place you want to add to your bucket list. If you are not a skier or snowboarder, there are still a plethora of activities for you to enjoy as well. Surrounded by 1.7 million acres of National Forest, you can snowshoe, fat bike, and cross-country ski right out your front door in any direction.