If you’re an expert, discover the best spots to shred the mountain’s famous extreme terrain. Intermediate skiers will learn more about Crested Butte’s blue and black runs, which span from groomed trails to mogul fields. First-timers may be relieved to find that the ski area contains plenty of beginner ski trails, many of which are accessible from the base area of the resort.
Skiing at Crested Butte
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is located on the north end of the Gunnison Valley on Colorado’s Western Slope. The ski slopes themselves traverse the flanks of Crested Butte, an iconic mountain with a pointed peak. The ski area is just minutes from the town of Crested Butte and about 40 minutes from Gunnison.
Crested Butte’s extreme terrain facilitated the birth of freeskiing in the ’80s. Since then, adventurous snow-sports enthusiasts have added skiing or snowboarding at Crested Butte to their bucket lists.
Getting Around the Mountain
At 1,547 acres, Crested Butte is a medium-sized ski area, but the intricate terrain features — especially in the extremes — make it seem a lot bigger. Investigating every glade, rock and cliff at Crested Butte would take a lifetime.
Beginner and intermediate trails are generally clustered on the front side of the mountain, near the base area. Advanced terrain centers around the T-bars, which are farther back from the base area on the east side of the mountain. Follow along on the Crested Butte ski trails map while you read.
Expert Skiing at Crested Butte
Chutes, cliffs and glades create a playground for expert skiers at Crested Butte. Ride the two T-bar lifts (High Lift and North Face) to access most of the mountain’s double-black runs. Watch for bumps, rocks, cliffs and other unmarked terrain features in these areas. Tucked under the peak on the front side of the mountain are several more expert runs, accessible from the Silver Queen Express. Double-black ski runs at Crested Butte are not groomed.
Some of Crested Butte’s double-black ski trails require a short hike in or out. Powder hounds will quickly discover that the snow in the hike-to areas remains soft and pristine for longer than higher-traffic areas.
Headwall
Rating: Double black diamond
Accessible from: High Lift
The Headwall looms over much of the resort and entices skiers to venture onto the High Lift to ski it. The abrupt angle of the slope certainly gives the feeling of skiing down a wall!
The Peak
Rating: Double black diamond
Accessible from: High Lift
Hike from the top of the High Lift to the peak of Crested Butte at 12,162 feet. Admire the panoramic view from the top before heading down. This steep slope is wide open and has a uniform slope, making it one of Crested Butte’s easier double-diamond runs.
Sock-It-To-Me Ridge
Rating: Double black diamond
Accessible from: North Face
Seeking a challenge? Sock-It-To-Me Ridge encompasses tricky and thrilling terrain, including a notorious run named Cesspool. Some sections require mandatory air.
The Glades
Rating: Double black diamond
Accessible from: North Face
Looking to dip your toes into Crested Butte’s extreme terrain? The Glades is a wide swath of conifer forest with endless line options. This area is less consequential than most other expert runs on the mountain.
Spellbound, Phoenix & Third Bowl
Rating: Double black diamond
Accessible from: North Face
Hike to Crested Butte’s back bowls for epic runs and gorgeous mountain views. Spellbound and Phoenix are littered with send-worthy rocks and cliffs. Third Bowl is a maze of tight trees and boulders. At the bottom of these bowls a short hike out is also required.
Teocalli & Teocalli 2 Bowls
Rating: Double black diamond
Accessible from: High Lift
The Teocalli bowls are protected from wind, keeping the snow soft. The original Teocalli bowl mostly comprises well-spaced glades, whereas Teo 2 is more open. At the bottom, be prepared for a 10-minute hike out.
Banana
Rating: Double black diamond
Accessible from: High Lift and Silver Queen
For a challenge, explore this iconic curved chute on the front side of the resort. The terrain funnels into an aspen grove at the bottom.
Intermediate & Advanced Skiing at Crested Butte
Intermediate (blue) and advanced (black) runs compose nearly half the terrain at Crested Butte. Chairlifts that access this terrain include the Silver Queen Express, East River Express and Paradise Express.
Twister
Rating: Black diamond
Accessible from: Silver Queen
Groomed: No
Twister, along with the other front-side black runs, offers a crash course in mogul skiing. Dip into the trees on either side of the trail for an added challenge.
Ruby Chief
Rating: Blue
Accessible from: Paradise or Silver Queen
Groomed: Sometimes
This often overlooked run adjacent to Paradise Bowl features small bumps, perfect for skiers learning to navigate moguls.
Double Top Glades
Rating: Black
Accessible from: East River or Paradise
Groomed: No
Take a break from the tightly spaced trees elsewhere at the resort to glide smoothly through the more open aspen glades in Double Top.
Paradise Bowl
Rating: Blue
Accessible from: Paradise or Silver Queen
Groomed: Yes
The groomed slopes of Paradise Bowl offer a step up in difficulty from other groomed blue runs at Crested Butte. Don’t forget to check out the incredible view from the top of the lift.
Beginner Skiing at Crested Butte
Despite Crested Butte’s reputation as a place for experts, it’s easy to find green runs on the mountain. Many lifts serve beginner terrain, including Red Lady Express, Teocalli, Peachtree, Gold Link, Prospect and Painter Boy. The runs listed below are gently sloped, and most of them are groomed for at least part of the season.
Elko Park
Rating: Blue
Accessible from: Gold Link or Prospect
Groomed: Yes
This short, quick blue traverses a wooded area before opening up at the bottom of the run. This corner of the resort offers a quiet, secluded experience perfect for kids and families.
Mineral Point
Rating: Green
Accessible from: Red Lady, Paradise or Silver Queen
Groomed: Sometimes
Similar to the other green runs off Red Lady, Mineral Point allows skiers to pick between glades and open terrain. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the choose-your-own-adventure feel of this trail.
Bushwacker
Rating: Blue
Accessible from: Teocalli, Red Lady or Paradise
Groomed: Sometimes
Bushwacker runs underneath the Teocalli lift. Rolling hills provide variable steepness to this wide run.
Augusta
Rating: Green
Accessible from: Peachtree
Groomed: Yes
For beginner skiers ready to graduate from the surface lifts, the next step is Augusta. This short, green run is sloped just enough to allow new skiers to work on their turns.
Splain’s Gulch
Rating: Green
Accessible from: Painter Boy, Prospect or Gold Link
Groomed: Yes
Another excellent beginner run is Splain’s Gulch. Skiers have the option to stick to the main groomed run or venture into the aspen groves on either side.
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