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    Colorado, Usa · Epic

    Crested Butte

    1,547 acres, 121 runs near Gunnison. Legendary extreme terrain, historic mining town, Epic Pass.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    27 Nov 2025
    Closes
    5 Apr 2026
    Days open
    129
    Annual snow
    15ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Crested Butte's summit reaches 12,162 feet, dropping 2,789 vertical feet to a base at 9,373 feet across 121 runs spread over 1,547 acres near Crested Butte, Colorado. Terrain splits 36 per cent expert, 25 per cent each for advanced and intermediate, and 14 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 184 inches. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Twelve lifts, including seven quad chairs and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, three surface lifts and two t-bars.

    Crested Butte markets itself as home to extreme terrain in what it calls Colorado's last great ski town, a reputation built on legendary steeps and a historic mining-town atmosphere that has resisted the more polished development seen at many Colorado competitors. Its considerable 36 per cent expert-terrain share reflects a mountain built around serious, committed skiing.

    Fred Rice and Dick Eflin purchased the 880-acre Malensek Ranch on the northern flank of Mount Crested Butte in 1960, receiving US Forest Service approval for an operating permit the following year. The resort struggled through its first decade, though it built a top-to-bottom gondola in 1963, the second such lift installed in Colorado after Vail's gondola the previous year, before financial difficulties led to bankruptcy in the mid-1960s.

    The Callaway and Walton families brought fresh capital and enthusiasm in 1970, expanding the terrain and lift system and renaming the resort Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Triple Peaks LLC acquired the resort in 2004, before Vail Resorts announced its purchase in June 2018, buying Triple Peaks for 82 million US dollars alongside sister resorts Okemo and Mount Sunapee. Adult daily tickets run from 169 to 219 US dollars.

    2,789ft
    Vertical
    121
    Runs
    1,547 acres
    Skiable
    15ft
    Annual snow
    Epic
    Pass
    The Terrain

    121 runs across 1,547 acres skiable

    Crested Butte spreads 121 runs across 1,547 acres skiable of terrain. It leans expert at 36%, with 17 beginner runs to find your feet and 74 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    121
    runs
    121 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner17 runs · 14%
    Intermediate30 runs · 25%
    Advanced30 runs · 25%
    Expert44 runs · 36%
    Time it right

    When to visit Crested Butte

    The 2025-26 season at Crested Butte ran from 27 November 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 184 inches. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Crested Butte's heavily expert-weighted terrain. As an Epic Pass resort within the Vail Resorts network, Crested Butte draws substantial visitation from Epic Pass holders alongside dedicated skiers specifically seeking the mountain's legendary extreme terrain and historic mining-town atmosphere.

    Given Crested Butte's remote location relative to Denver, the resort draws a genuinely dedicated visitor base willing to make the longer journey, rewarded by comparatively lighter crowds than more accessible I-70 corridor resorts. School holiday periods bring family visitation to the resort's more moderate terrain, though the overall visitor base skews toward experienced skiers.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Vail Resorts' June 2018 acquisition, Crested Butte has continued building on more than six decades of history since Fred Rice and Dick Eflin's 1960 founding. The resort's identity as Colorado's last great ski town remains central to its seasonal character.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    27 Nov 2025
    Opens
    5 Apr 2026
    Closes
    129
    Days open
    15 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Crested Butte, and where to stay

    Crested Butte sits near the town of Crested Butte, Colorado, with a base elevation of 9,373 feet and a summit at 12,162 feet across a 2,789-foot vertical drop over 1,547 acres. This remote setting in the Colorado high country places the resort well off the Interstate 70 corridor that serves many of the state's other major resorts.

    The town of Crested Butte, a genuinely historic former mining settlement, offers extensive lodging, dining and a distinctly authentic mountain-town atmosphere within a short drive of the resort's base at Mount Crested Butte. The broader Gunnison Valley surrounds the area with additional outdoor recreation.

    Colorado State Highway 135 connects the town of Gunnison to Crested Butte and the resort itself. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, and the resort's remote location means travellers should allow additional time compared with I-70 corridor destinations. There is no direct public transport service beyond regional shuttle connections.

    Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, a manageable drive from the resort, offers direct seasonal flights from several major US cities, providing a genuinely convenient option for visitors flying directly into this otherwise remote mountain destination.

    Where to stay

    Search all stays →

    Hotels and lodges near Crested Butte, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    1 Sept 2026
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    31 Aug 2026
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    26 Aug 2026

    Crested Butte Lift Tickets

    Crested Butte lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Crested Butte closed on Apr 5, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$149, with peak rates up to US$219.

    Epic8 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$169up to US$219 peak

    Full-day access to Crested Butte's 1,547 acres of legendary extreme terrain in Colorado. Experience world-class off-piste skiing and historic mining town atmosphere in the Elk Mountains.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–18

    Teen Daily Ticket

    US$149up to US$199 peak

    Discounted lift access for teens at Crested Butte's extreme Colorado terrain. Enjoy legendary off-piste skiing and historic mountain town culture in the Elk Mountains.

    Buy pass
    Child 5–12

    Child Daily Ticket

    US$149up to US$199 peak

    Child-friendly lift tickets for Crested Butte's learning areas. While known for extreme terrain, the resort offers excellent beginner slopes and ski school programs.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–99

    Senior Daily Ticket

    US$149up to US$199 peak

    Senior discounted daily lift access to Crested Butte. Enjoy Colorado's extreme terrain and historic mining town atmosphere in the beautiful Elk Mountains.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–4

    Kids 4 & Under Free

    Free

    Complimentary lift access for children 4 and under at Crested Butte. Free Colorado skiing with proof of age at the legendary extreme terrain destination.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Multi-Day Ticket (3-Day)

    US$447up to US$597 peak

    Three-day lift ticket package for Crested Butte with per-day savings. Experience extreme Colorado terrain and historic mountain town atmosphere over multiple days.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 19–64

    Epic Pass

    US$1,051up to US$1,151 peak

    Unlimited access to Crested Butte and 40+ Epic Pass resorts worldwide including Vail, Whistler, and European destinations. No blackout dates at extreme terrain destination.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Epic Local Pass

    US$783up to US$883 peak

    Access to Crested Butte and select Epic Pass resorts with limited holiday restrictions. Perfect for Colorado locals wanting extreme terrain access.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Crested Butte day pass cost?+
    Crested Butte day passes range from US$149 to US$219 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Crested Butte lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Crested Butte lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Crested Butte, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Crested Butte lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Crested Butte - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Crested Butte lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Crested Butte offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Crested Butte directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Crested Butte.

    More Crested Butte intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.