If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience this spring, then it’s time for you to think about making the trip to Crested Butte, Colorado. Unlike many other tourist towns, you have to intentionally be headed to Crested Butte — it isn’t just a stop along the way — which makes it all the more special. We hope you’re ready for beautiful mountain views, green valleys with blooming wildflowers, and some of the cleanest mountain air you’ve ever breathed.
Founded in 1878, Crested Butte started its life as a coal-mining town tucked in the Elk Mountains of northern Gunnison County. The town lies just north of Gunnison and about the same distance south of Aspen. Sitting at about 9,000 feet of elevation and surrounded by mountains, it’s common in the winter to experience frigid temperatures and several feet of annual snowfall. It’s time to bust out your planner and start taking notes of all the amazing things to do in and around Crested Butte!
Take a Sleigh Ride in the Snow or Horseback Ride in the Summer
If you head down to the Lazy F Bar Ranch then you will have the opportunity to enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride, dinner, and some good old fashion fun. This ultimate Crested Butte dining experience is something you don’t want to miss. Enjoy a scenic 35-minute horse drawn sleigh ride to a rustic 1950’s cabin overlooking the East River. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.
If you are planning for your summer trip, then you can expect scenic horseback trips for riders of all abilities. They offer a variety of different rides including 1 hour, 2 hours, half day, breakfast and dinner rides, or jump on the old hay wagon for a lovely ride up the East River Valley.
Enjoy Crested Butte Winter & Spring Outdoor Activities
In addition to the amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities the little town has to offer, you can also enjoy several other winter activities as well. Some of those activities include dog sledding, back-country skiing, mountaineering, snowshoeing, or ice skating! Regardless of the time of year, Crested Butte is a magical place to escape and enjoy a little slice of Colorado heaven.
Whether it’s covered in snow or starting to thaw out, there are several ways to experience Crested Butte, which is the town’s namesake. In the winter, there are 15 operating ski lifts with routes for all skill levels. As it gets closer to summer, there are several mountain biking trails that open up as well.
Go Downtown
What cute mountain is complete without a trendy downtown? Crested Butte is everything that a picturesque mountain town should be. You truly get the best of both worlds, the ski town vibe
This article was originally written for the Spring 2022 Issue of Modern Cowboy Magazine. (Previously known as Cowboy Lifestyle Magazine). Catch more stories from this issue below!
