Travel Note
Please note: the main grocery store in Crested Butte, Clark's Market, is closed for renovations! There is a small health food store, Mountain Earth, off Elk Avenue, but we suggest stopping in Gunnison on your way into town, or buying groceries in Denver. If you decided to stop at a grocery store in Gunnison, please note it is fastest to drive over Monarch Pass to get there (instead of Cottonwood Pass). There are a few new businesses dedicated to delivering groceries if you are interested in using them! One is linked below.
Travel Note
Check out this hour long documentary about the history of Crested Butte! High Country is a timeless American story of how a community of conscientious and forward-thinking young people, disguised as ski bums and hippies, happened upon the ramshackle mining town of Crested Butte and worked to conserve and protect it for years to come.
Travel Note
The drive from Denver is long, gorgeous, and full of cute Colorado towns and mountain passes. From Denver International Airport, it takes about 4 hours. The fastest way is to go over Cottonwood Pass, which was recently paved and is a steep, windy road that tops out at over 12,000 feet elevation. The views are incredible from the top, and there are even some short hiking trails to explore. A great place to stop and break up the drive is Cottonwood Hot Springs, on the Buena Vista side of the pass. Pro-tip: Download music and/or podcasts before leaving Denver as you will be in and out of service for most of the drive. There aren't a ton of places to stop and eat along the way, but one of our favorites is Biggie's Sandwich Shop in Buena Vista.
Travel Note
We encourage you to use this free shuttle service that takes you everywhere you need to go in Crested Butte and on Mt. Crested Butte. The bus runs every 20 minutes in the summer and stops right out front of the Majestic, and two blocks from the Center for the Arts.
Travel Note
A quick solution to altitude sickness is an IV! The Fountain in downtown Crested Butte will get you feeling better in no time. You can also buy Acli-Mate Mountain Sport Drink at local grocery stores.
Hotel
The Elevation Hotel and Spa is a full service hotel at the base of the ski resort with a restaurant, bar, pool and beautiful mountain views. All rooms have kitchenettes and balconies. Free shuttle runs every 20 minutes until midnight to downtown CB and wedding locations - just 5 minutes away! $169/night for a room with 2 queen beds or 1 king bed. Rates are available 9/5-9/12.
Discount Code - 2309WKW
Hotel
Old Town Inn is a small hotel directly across from the Center for the Arts in downtown Crested Butte. They offer complimentary breakfast from 7:30 - 9:30, coffee/tea all day, cookies in the afternoon, and have amenities like a hot tub, wifi, townie bikes, irons/ironing boards, and coin-operated laundry. To reserve, you must call and ask for the Wallace/Kaul Room Block. Room Type: Two Queen Beds Nightly Weekday Rate: $164 plus tax ($185.98 total) Nightly Weekend Rate: $184 plus tax ($208.66 total) Rate Notes: They offer a $10/night discount for guests with AAA or AARP. The above rates will apply for guests who book before our new rates are loaded. The rate may be slightly higher for guests who book once our new rates are loaded.
Travel Note
The most affordable option is to fly into Denver. It is also possible to fly into Montrose or Gunnison. Montrose is about a 2 hour drive, but there is currently construction on Little Blue Canyon on Highway 50 that might slow you down.
Travel Note
There is a $45 bus from Denver to Crested Butte once a day. It leaves Denver's Union Station for Crested Butte at 1:50 pm daily, usually from terminal B4. The return trip leaves Crested Butte from the 4-way stop at 5:15 am daily and gets to Union Station Denver by 10:50 am. You can bring luggage on the bus! It is usually not very crowded, but there is no wifi on the bus.
Travel Note
RTA is a free, hourly bus from Gunnison to Crested Butte! It also makes stops in Almont, Crested Butte South, Riverbend, Riverland, and Skyland.
Travel Note
This is the easiest way to get a babysitter while in CB!