Did the Pandemic Finally End the Modern-Day Ski Bum?
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For decades Crested Butte locals have been trying to keep their quaint mining town and legendary steeps under wraps in hopes of preserving CB’s unique and funky spirit. But the cat’s out of the bag, and skiers far and wide are discovering that Crested Butte may actually be America’s last great ski town. CB’s downfall is also its advantage: it’s not easy to get to, but that’s what keeps the crowds away. Those willing to make the trek are rewarded with some of the best in-bounds, lift-accessed extremes in the country.
It takes heaps of snow to cover CB’s rocky steeps, meaning in low snow years some of the most-prized terrain (Teo Bowls, Spellbound, Third Bowl) may not open until late season—if at all. If that’s the case, get out the carving skis and cruise the fun groomers, or hop on the shuttle to town and drown your sorrows at Montanya Distillers or Kochevar’s (a legendary watering hole since Butch Cassidy stopped in for a drink in 1902). Wherever you land, you’ll find the restaurants and shops of colorful Elk Avenue oozing with character. Now that Vail Resorts has snapped up CB, it remains to be seen if the resort’s spirit will prevail. We sure hope so. – Jenny Wiegand
Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
234″ | 1,547 | 15 | 121 |
Crested Butte is on the Epic Pass. Both Epic Pass and Epic Local pass holders get unlimited access to the slopes.
A charming and quirky town anchors this southwestern Colorado resort with challenging terrain, beautiful scenery, and a hopping nightlife scene.
The old Peachtree double serving beginner terrain was replaced with a triple last season, and CB also eased the grading around the lift, which is located near the base, for an easier experience for new skiers.
You didn’t hear it from us, but at 3 p.m. the Bakery starts slinging slices of its ridiculously cheesy and delectable pizza for $1/slice until supplies last. If it’s 2:55 p.m. on a powder day, you’ll have one tough call to make.
Intermediates and up, start your ski day on the backside of the resort, which gets early morning sun. Then move over to the front and the Silver Queen when lunch crowds start bottlenecking at Paradise Warming House.
Locals and visitors alike keep coming back to The Slogar for the comforting family-style fried chicken dinner and authentic Western saloon ambiance.
Download the CB Extremes app and pick your poison.
Head to The Secret Stash for delicious pizza and experience CB in all its eccentric glory.
Hop the North Face T-Bar and kick off the sticks for a short hike into Spellbound Bowl. Riddled with opportunities for big air and deep turns, this extraordinary zone holds snow well and is rarely crowded. Transfer into Phoenix Bowl to keep the stoke going.
Try Uley’s Cabin for an upscale on-mountain lunch or an afternoon drink at the ice bar.
Tin Cup serves locally made Third Bowl homemade ice cream. The flavors are ever-changing, but be adventurous. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
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Vail Resorts will upgrade or replace lifts at five of its North American resorts in time for the 2021-'22 ski season.
Made in an authentic Colorado mountain town, Romp Skis is the first ski brand to use Countervail tech, and it's legit.
Discover this mountainous playground in the Rockies.
There's a lot more to avalanche education than just digging snow pits.
Crested Butte's new Adaptive Sports Center is open for business and hopes to accommodate twice the participants.
We crunched the numbers: Here's the Top 10 resorts for purists who care only about the ski experience.
The custom ski brand is branching out with ready-to-ship ski options for 2020.
Skiing the half mile from home to the lab, bill barr records the weather—twice a day, every day—all winter long.
The charming mountain town of the rugged West Elks offers something for everyone.
Follow the trail of legends and discover terrain so epic it should be outlawed.
Jackson Lebsack and Tommy Joyce get in-the-know for all that CB has to offer.
Elan returns to Crested Butte with Big Mountain Women’s Weekend, March 22-24, 2019.
This southern Colorado burg charms visitors with all of the beauty and none of the attitude, and some of the rad skiing in the West.
These spots might not be on your radar, but they still have have something awesome going on.
Western Colorado University debuts an MBA program for the outdoor-career minded. It's the first such graduate degree in the country.
The bike equivalent of a really rad all-mountain ski.
As the Ikon-v-Epic race continues, Monarch Mountain runs on the independent ticket.
The acquisitions mark Epic's interest in northeastern resorts, plus the first major purchase in Washington State.
There’s no downtime in the high country.
Low on glitz, high on character, these towns are filled with folks who are genuinely stoked to be visiting or living there. Put them on your “go” list.
Innovation, guts, and “cool factor” are what indie brands are all about. These skis also happen to perform at the top of their class.
These brands are small, nimble, and innovative - meaning you just might find something out of the ordinary.
Nestled high in the mountain oasis of Crested Butte, CO., Scarp Ridge Lodge provides unparalleled service and adventure.
These unique accommodations will give your ski vacation a decidedly different vibe.
Find your ski pass for next season—and the best deals—here.
America’s toughest backcountry ski race starts at midnight in Crested Butte, Colorado, and charges 40 miles north through the rugged heart of the Rocky Mountains to Aspen. When two desk jockeys, coworkers at this magazine, sign up on competing teams, an epic game of one-upmanship unfolds.
Western State Colorado University’s Alpine Ski Team has been reinstated and is thirsty for glory.
These Colorado resorts turned millions of acres of diseased pines into something uniquely beautiful.
As Crested Butte’s ski patrol director, Bill Dowell gets first chair, makes sure people have an amazing ski day, and deals with all types of ski injuries.
The mass start at the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse. Settle in.
If there's a silver lining in the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse, this is it.
Half of Team Under Par hated the Grand Traverse so much he can’t wait to sign up again.
Long walks, high winds, deep snow, and whiskey-pushing 7-year-olds in Aspen
A first-timer’s account of competing in a freeride event.
Making time for long tours.
Two working schlubs attempt to conquer one of North America’s most difficult backcountry ski races.
SKI’s Director of Instruction, Mike Rogan, shows you how to conquer the steeps.
Fly solo at a ski area that's yours for the day.
Power skiing is easy—unless it’s just a thin cover on bumps. Here's how to deal.
This type of terrain is ready-made to help you sharpen your technique—and have some fun on the hill.
Photos through the ages.
From Tahoe to Stowe, resorts celebrate with a bang.
Salute the Red, White, and Blue at altitude.
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New for summer 2011: Zip Line Tour; improved bike park, trails; new events
Don't throw the boards into storage just yet. March, April, and even May (if you ski at Mt. Bachelor) are the best months to get great deals on lodging, lift tickets, and equipment, all while curating a gnarly goggle tan. Sun, brews, music, and costumes are what make spring skiing the next best alternative to an epic powder day. Here's where to close out yet another great season of shredding.
Crested Butte dedicates a whole week each June to mountain biking. This year, it includes the chainless world championships.
This weekend, Griffin Post and Claudia Bouvier nabbed first for the men and women, respectively, at the Freeskiing World Tour stop in Crested Butte, Colorado. We have photos from the powder-day big-mountain competition,
Kids Fly Free airfare promotions at several regional Colorado airports score your 2- through 12-year-old a free roundtrip ticket with purchase of an adult fare.
Wendy Fisher is a former Olympian, a Crested Butte World Extremes champion, and a mother of two. The Crested Butte resident took her first real hiatus from competitive skiing when she had her first son. But now she’s getting her strength back. Rehabbing from a knee surgery, we hit the gym with Wendy in Crested Butte.
Every winter, hundreds of big-mountain athletes vie for spots on the Freeskiing World Tour, a competition circuit hosted by the International Freeskiers Association. Online registration opens today and tomorrow for this year's stops in Revelstoke, Telluride, Crested Butte, Kirkwood, and Snowbird.
The next time you head to Crested Butte, save some money and meet some interesting personalities by staying at the Wanderlust Hostel in Gunnison, Colorado. For only $23 a night, you’ll get a warm room, communal kitchen, hot shower, and an inviting common space to play the guitar, cards, or just chat with other hostel goers.
Introducing four women-only ski camps geared for girls looking to up their game.
Many Crested Butte locals are banding together against an impending expansion. But can skiing’s last shangri-la survive without it?
Don’t be fooled by the T-bar that accesses this terrain: This is no bunny slope. The North Face, a massive back bowl that slants as much as 50 degrees, is the site of big-mountain competitions and gladed, fluff-filled stashes. If it’s a powder day, get here quickly.
Gannett, a world champion freeskier, launched the Global Cooling Tour when she sustained a career-ending injury. She also works on former V.P. Al Gore’s Climate Project. That's why we're starting our list of High-Country Heroes with her.
This winter, athletes on the Freeskiing World Tour—the premiere big-mountain comp based in the U.S.—will be using their passports.
There's no easy way down. Jump-turn, pole-plant through the narrow chute, and then hold on tight while you drop the mandatory 10-foot air at the bottom. Welcome to Crested Butte.
Detailed instructions about heeding the 11th commandment in a ski town.
Enjoy these five drinks from five ski town bars. Bring Advil.
Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the slopes every day at Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte and Stratton with no restrictions for only $1,259 for adults, if purchased by April 30.
MSI Ninja Dex Mills wins Backcountry.com Sickbird Award
Max Mancini's tragic accident last year inspired him to start an Adaptive Sports Center Camp for Children Living with Illness
Although Kennett is at least ten years older than his competitors, he still managed to claim his fourth title.
Celebrating its 10th year, the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour remains the longest running competitive Big Mountain Freeskiing tour with $20,000 cash per World Tour stop
Relationship with family-owned Triple Peaks, LLC provides immediate capital and long-term stability for top-ranked ski mountains
It’s hard to come home from a ski trip—especially one in Crested Butte, Colo. Which is why a Boulder family decided to move there.
Last March, our two dozen testers hammered laps on Crested Butte’s bony steeps for two days, filling out evaluation cards after each run. The results are listed here. “AT” means the gear was reviewed by alpine-touring skiers. “Tele” means tested by telemark skiers. Some skis were tested by both groups. Our goal: to help you find your perfect backcountry setup.
The WME crew does it again with variety, action, and a lot of heart.
Ranked by the readers of Skiing Magazine.
Ranked by the readers of Skiing Magazine
Kaylin leads teammates Hailey Duke and Stacey Cook onto the Coronet Peak podium.
Check out SKI Magazine's author page.
Check out SKI Magazine's author page.
Check out SKI Magazine's author page.
With persistent droughts and concerns over global warming heating up, cloud seeding is a growth industry. Some resorts swear by it. Others aren't so sure.
Check out SKI Magazine's author page.
Winners Announced for Extremes