Winter Activities

With an average annual snowfall of 240 inches and state-of-the-art snowmaking on most of its trails, Crested Butte is one of the best kept secrets in the Colorado skiing scene. With 1,434 acres of skiable terrain, nearly half of which is expert territory, Crested Butte has made a name for itself as a haven for extreme skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

The first ski resort in the U.S. to launch an extreme skiing contest, Crested Butte marks fourteen years of freeskiing competition this season with the Annual Saab U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championship. Competitors from all over the nation vie for the largest cash purse on the freeskiing circuit and excellent prizes from all the sponsors. A skiercross kicks off the event followed by three days of big mountain/extreme competition.

The Extreme Telemark Championships, now in its 10th year, brings more than 100 free-heelers to the slopes to compete. The two-day big mountain event attracts the biggest names in the telemark industry and is unique to Crested Butte. Free telemark demos and specialty clinics also take place during this telemark celebration culminating with the legendary Al Johnson Uphill Downhill Race.

Even off the ski slopes, Crested Butte offers a number of winter adventures. Fifty-five miles of groomed trails at the Kebler Pass System allow snowmobilers to wind through rugged backcountry terrain. Forty miles of cross country trails at the Crested Butte Nordic Center offer skiers and snowshoers the chance to explore.

Adrenaline junkies can try ice climbing, dog sledding, backcountry skiing, hot air ballooning, and other guided adventure tours. Families can enjoy horse drawn sleigh rides or fun afternoons of ice skating, sledding, and tubing.