65 Years of Wild and Weird: Your Guide to the Winter 2026/27 Season at Crested Butte
- Celebrating 65 years of wild, weird, and taking things to the Extremes
- CBMR badge of honor: the birthplace of extreme in-bounds skiing and riding in North America
- New Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) installed in two areas of the resort’s iconic Extreme terrain will assist with more safe, efficient terrain openings
Celebrating 65 Years
CBMR has always been a little off the beaten path, shaped by generations of skiers and riders who chose grit and adventure over convenience and convention. It's a place where adventurers come to push their limits and embrace the nostalgic spirit of classic U.S. ski culture. From quirky local events and characters to breathtaking scenery, a thriving arts community, and a lively town scene, those who visit Crested Butte will be the first to tell you that the destination at the end of the road is just the beginning.
From its humble beginnings, opening on Thanksgiving Day in 1961 with a simple rope tow and t-bar in the base area, to 65 years later offering 15 lifts and 1547 acres of terrain, including more than 561 acres of in-bounds extreme skiing and riding, CBMR has earned its mark on the map as the mountain destination at the end of the road that's well-worth the journey. While a lot has changed over 65 years, the mountain and community's spirit of adventure remains and has only been emboldened. The resort and town offer the opportunity to step outside the ordinary, push limits, and experience some of the most challenging terrain found in Colorado and beyond. This season, our 65th anniversary is as much a celebration of the mountain itself as it is the community, culture, and people who have shaped its character for decades.
65 Years of Going to Extremes
With the introduction of the North Face Lift in 1987, CBMR put itself on the map as one of the first ski areas to offer lift access to expert terrain, earning its reputation as the birthplace of extreme in-bounds skiing and riding. The lift and the legendary terrain it serviced quickly attracted some of the nation’s most daring skiers, cementing Crested Butte’s reputation as a destination for those seeking a true mountain adventure. In 1992, the resort further solidified that reputation by hosting the second-ever U.S. Extreme Skiing Championships.
Today, CBMR remains renowned for some of the most challenging terrain found anywhere in the country. With 561 acres of double-black-diamond terrain and more than 150 uniquely named areas within the Extreme Limits, the possibilities for adventure are virtually endless. From Rambo, North America’s steepest tree-cut ski run, to hike-in, hike-out terrain like Spellbound and Phoenix Bowls, to a descent directly off the summit of the resort’s namesake peak, the mountain offers no shortage of opportunities to test your limits and truly earn your après.
NEW: Remote Avalanche Control Systems to Assist in Opening Signature Extreme Terrain
Crested Butte has long embraced the unique demands of operating a mountain where adventure and extreme conditions go hand-in-hand. Alongside major resorts including Breckenridge, Park City, and Whistler Blackcomb, this fall CBMR invested in the resort experience with the installation of Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) in two key areas of the mountain – the Frontside Extremes and terrain just off the North Face Lift. This cutting-edge technology will assist mountain operations and patrol teams with a safer, more efficient way to manage avalanche risk and open terrain in the legendary extremes that have come to define the Crested Butte experience
CBMR-Style: Fun, Funky, and Costumed Events from the Mountain to Town
Nowhere knows how to keep things fun and funky quite like Crested Butte. Skiers and riders bring their own flair to the mountain all season long, from Opening Day’s First-Chair banner break to December’s Santa Ski Day, World Tutu Day (2/2), and Closing Weekend’s legendary pond skim. Catch new events like the Snow Cats and Avy Dogs demo, longtime favorites like the 53rd annual Al Johnson Telemark Race, plus live concerts and DJ sets throughout the season. Regardless of event, but especially so during, creative costumes and big personalities are practically part of the CBMR dress code in winter and everyone is encouraged to get in on the fun.
And, the fun doesn’t stop at the resort. In town, Crested Butte’s free-spirited community comes alive with annual winter traditions like Disco Inferno, a ‘60s-inspired dance party; the Alley Loop, the “most unique Nordic marathon and costume party around”; and Flauschink, the town’s oldest festival celebrating the “flushing out” of winter and arrival of spring. Around here, even winter knows how to let loose.
Elk Avenue & the Town of Crested Butte: Old Soul. Vintage Charm. Mountain Heart.
Founded in 1880 and designated a National Historic District in 1974, Crested Butte is a town where deep history and present-day mountain life live side-by-side. To truly step back in time during a visit to town, stroll past historic landmarks such as Union Congregational Church, Old Town Hall, and the Old Rock Library, all built in the early 1880s. Or, for a much more in-depth look at everything that’s shaped our community, take a visit to the Crested Butte History Museum.
The historic landmarks and vibrant buildings that line Elk Avenue are as storied and colorful as the people and businesses inside them, with local shops, restaurants, breweries, and distilleries giving the town its unmistakable character. What began as a rugged mining community has evolved into a beloved ski town that still holds tight to its unique personality, character, and adventurous spirit. Exploring Elk Avenue and the Town of Crested Butte is every bit as much a part of the experience as exploring the mountain.
Adaptive Sports Center: Inclusive Mountain Access at CBMR
CBMR is proud to partner with the Crested Butte Adaptive Sports Center to help make the mountain accessible and welcoming to athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. Whether participants are experienced skiers and riders or are clipping into a downhill setup for the very first time, the Adaptive Sports Center’s team of expert instructors provides personalized support, guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Together, CBMR and the Adaptive Sports Center create opportunities for athletes to challenge themselves, discover new possibilities and expand their horizons, all while enjoying the incredible terrain and experience of skiing and riding at CBMR.
Epic Pass: The Best Way to Ski & Ride at Crested Butte and Beyond
The best way to maximize value and access for the 2026/27 ski and ride season is with an Epic Pass! With access to 37 North American resorts and a total of 42 resorts worldwide, the Pass opens the door to endless opportunities for adventure close to home and around the globe. For guests who simply want to ski and ride at Crested Butte this season, the Epic Local Pass provides season-long access to CBMR with no blackout dates. Plus, for skiers and riders ages 13-30, savings are even steeper with 20% discounts on both Epic Passes and Epic Local Passes.
Through Epic Mountain Rewards, Pass Holders can enjoy 20% off a variety of on-mountain experiences at Vail Resorts’ North American owned and operated resorts, including dining, lodging, ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more.
Elevating the Epic Experience: Upgrades to Gear, Service, and F&B
The world-class ski and ride experience doesn't end with CBMR's expert terrain. Beginning this season, Vail Resorts is seeking to elevate its guest experience across all mountains, including Crested Butte. From expanded and upgraded gear and service options at My Epic Gear, to enhancements of menu favorites at resort restaurants, to raising the bar on employee engagement, CBMR’s guests can look forward to resort-wide strides toward providing the most differentiated and high-quality experience in the ski and ride industry.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort Fast Facts
Elevation
- Base: 9,375 ft.
- Summit: 12,162 ft.
- Vertical Rise (Lift-Served): 2,092 ft.
- Vertical Rise (To Peak): 2,787 ft.
Acreage
- Total Skiable Acres: 1,547 acres
- Acres of Snowmaking: 300 acres
- Acres of Grooming: Approximately 500 acres nightly
Trail Classification
- Conventional Trails: 165
- 14% beginner
- 24.6% intermediate
- 24.8% advanced
- 36.6% extreme
Number of Lifts: 15 total
- 4 high-speed detachable quad chairs
- 3 fixed grip quad
- 3 triple chairs
- 2 surface lifts
- 3 conveyor
Stay Connected
Media Contact
Katie Lyons
Communications Manager
Katie.m.lyons@vailresorts.com
720-989-3982
Please reach out to inquire about media hosting opportunities and to request images, trail maps or b-roll for editorial use.