Crested Butte Mountain Resort Summer 2025 Tip Sheet
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At Crested Butte Mountain Resort, we encourage you to explore your wild side at our mountain. Step beyond the familiar and discover a place that offers rugged trails, challenging terrain, stunning alpine views, and a town with a rich and distinctive mountain culture. It’s a destination for those looking to travel – and adventure – off the beaten path.
Summer Operating Dates
Daily: June 14-Sept. 1 | Sat. & Sun.: Sept. 6-Sept. 28
All operating dates, activities and events are weather-dependent and subject to change.
From Peaks to Pedals (and Petals!): Summer starts in Crested Butte
As the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte doesn’t shy away from natural beauty and postcard-worthy scenery. Our small mountain town, nestled in one of the state’s most picturesque valleys, is surrounded by 1.7 million acres of National Forest, offering endless adventure to visitors and locals alike. With the dramatic scenery of the rugged Elk Mountains, rolling hills dotted with flowers of every color, and the charm of downtown Crested Butte, this is truly paradise found.
Don’t forget! Summer in Crested Butte is made better with the Epic Pass. The 2025/26 Epic Pass comes with exclusive summer benefits for passholders, including free scenic lift access and 20% off lodging, bike rentals and more.
A Place Like None Other
A remarkable 85% of the Gunnison Valley is comprised of federal land, providing adventurers nearly limitless possibilities for mountain exploration. Steeped in a rich mining and natural history, the town boasts one of Colorado's largest National Historic Districts in addition to the honor of being known as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking. Crested Butte was also certified as a Colorado Creative District in the summer of 2016, joining 17 other districts in the state. The Creative District certification process defines communities that can attract artists and creative entrepreneurs, infuse new energy and innovation, and enhance economic and civic capital.
Miles of Possibility
Looking for a challenge? Hike, bike or trail run on CBMR’s vast trail network between the base area and the peak of Mt. Crested Butte. Thirty-plus miles of singletrack at CBMR complement more than 750 miles open to mountain biking in the Gunnison Valley. With help from the Silver Queen Express chairlift, hikers also have a unique opportunity to summit the iconic 12,162-foot Mt. Crested Butte!
Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park
The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park was established at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in 2009. Since the beginning, it has been designed to offer something for riders of all abilities, from beginners to gravity experts! The bike park has a diverse network of trails including both lift-served downhill and cross-country rides that connect to other trail networks in and around Crested Butte. The resort also provides demo and e-bike rentals, ensuring that guests without their own equipment have access to high-quality gear that is regularly serviced and well-maintained. Lift-served mountain biking is available via Red Lady Express, and as of 2024, Class 1 e-bikes are now permitted on this lift as well as throughout the CBMR bike park.
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Skills Zone: Ready to hone your technique and get ready for more challenging terrain? The pump track in the base area includes small berms and flowy rollers to get riders comfortable on varied terrain. A second Skills Zone is located at the top of Red Lady Express with slightly larger features for riders to check out before descending via CBMR's system of trails.
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30+ Miles of Lift-Served Singletrack: In the summer season, Red Lady Express gives guests a boost to explore gorgeous Mt. Crested Butte by foot or tire. The chairlift shuttles hikers, mountain bikers, and disc golfers to mid-mountain for access to numerous single-track and hiking trails along with our disc golf course.
Scenic Chairlift Rides
Hiking or biking on trails not your thing? For a more laid-back approach, simply take a scenic chairlift ride. You can go up, then right back down, or take time to explore different parts of the mountain once you arrive at the top of the lift. Take in the best views in the Gunnison Valley via Red Lady Express or Silver Queen Express chairlifts.
Silver Queen Express is scheduled to open for the summer on 6/28.
Twlight Hours
Back this year as a guest favorite, Twilight Hours will return this summer to offer guests evening lift access! On every Wednesday and Friday from June 25-August 15, the Red Lady Express will run until 7 p.m. and offer hikers and bikers additional hours to explore the mountain.
The Return of the CBMR Summer Race Series
Ready to get your race on? The CBMR Summer Race Series returns for 2025, this time offering both downhill and cross country events! Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned pro, a local or a visitor, these races offer a high-energy way to cap off your day at the resort, and maybe even take home a prize if you snag a spot on the podium!
Summer Events
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Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Music on the Mountain (6/25, 7/4, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13)
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Junior Devo Downhill Bike Week (6/25-6/29)
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CBMR Summer Race Series Presented by Fox Racing
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Cross Country (7/17, 7/31, 8/14)
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Downhill (7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/15)
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Twilight Hours
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Wednesdays (6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13)
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Fridays (6/27, 7/4, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15)
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Mt. Crested Butte’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks (7/3)
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Downhill Rockies Race Series (7/12-7/13)
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Living Journeys Summit Hike (7/26)
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VNTR Birds Women’s Bike Camp (8/16-8/17)
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The Grand Traverse Run and Mountain Bike (8/30-8/31)
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Chili & Beer Festival (9/8)
Adaptive Sports Center
The Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) of Crested Butte provides year-round outdoor recreation activities for people with disabilities and their families, including one of the only downhill mountain biking programs in the world for people with disabilities. ASC instructors guide and assist participants as they make their way down the mountain and elevate their skills. Choose to explore wide and easy trails or head out on the singletrack and learn to negotiate more challenging terrain including rock piles and logjams.
This high-adventure activity focuses on increasing strength and self-confidence as well as establishing good adaptive biking techniques. ASC's extensive summer programming includes paddle boarding, kayaking, rafting, cycling, rock climbing and hiking in the region. For more information about the ASC, visit www.adaptivesports.org.
Summer Dining
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Highlife Crust & Crafts: Highlife serves made-to-order breakfast for dine-in and take-out, as well as grab-and-go options in the morning. They have pizza and draft brews in the afternoon and evening. Diners can watch sports on the big-screen TVs while they eat or call ahead at (970) 349-8030 to place an order to go.
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Highlife will tentatively open for the season on June 20
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Butte 66 Bar & Grill: The best place in the base area for smokehouse barbecue with a lively après scene and happy hour specials every day, Butte 66 features house-smoked meats, a craft beer lineup and hand-crafted cocktails.
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Coal Breaker Coffee Company: Fuel up for your day of adventures at Coal Breaker! Conveniently located in the Treasury Building at the base area, Coal Breaker serves espresso drinks, coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, and more.
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Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks: The perfect spot for a mid-mountain break, the Umbrella Bar sits at the top of Painter Boy chairlift, offering signature views of the Gunnison Valley and a variety of food options for the whole family. Guests can hike, bike or drive to the Umbrella Bar!
The Adventure Park
Families love CBMR’s Adventure Park. Whether rock climbing or panning for mineral treasures at the mining sluice, the Adventure Park is the ultimate spot for family fun. Bungee trampolines provide a gravity-defying ride up to 30 feet in the air, while the climbing wall features a 28-foot-tall tower with routes of varying difficulty and an auto-belay that safely lowers participants back to the ground.
- NEW: Mini Golf is back! After a multi-season hiatus, mini golf is making its return to the CBMR base area in summer 2025. Located next to the Adventure Park, the revamped nine-hole course offers a fun and relaxing way to unwind after a day on the trails.
Summer Camps for Kids
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Camp CB: Camp CB offers quality childcare and memorable summertime experiences. Designed for ages 5-8, the Camp CB Adventure Camp program is perfect for kids who want to explore beautiful Mt. Crested Butte as they build authentic friendships and lifelong memories with other kids their age. Campers will participate in an array of activities including chairlift rides, nature hikes, Adventure Park activities, arts & crafts, games, sports and more.
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Mini Riders: The Mini Riders program is designed for kids ages 5 and 6 years old who can ride a pedal bike and are ready to build a foundation of skills that will transport them enthusiastically and safely into the sport of mountain biking.
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Mountain Adventures: Mountain Adventures, for children ages 7-14, is based at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and also includes off-mountain activities. Experience our region's mountains, rivers, lakes, crags, trails, and scenery from river raft, by foot, on a mountain bike, on a paddle board, with a fly-rod in hand, or high on a cliff, ropes course or chairlift.
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For more information on kids’ summer programs, visit our website.
Sight-In Archery Range
Reflecting the incredible hunting opportunities within the Gunnison Valley, CBMR offers a sight-in target archery course at the top of Red Lady Express for archers to practice their skills all summer long. Lifelike animal targets are set amongst the beautiful mountain landscape in a format that caters to all ability levels. Archers are required to bring their own equipment and must sign a waiver at the Treasury ticket office before hiking or riding Red Lady Express to the sight-in range. Using the range is free. Donations for course upkeep are accepted at the ticket office or via a cash donation bucket at the top of the course.
Disc Golf Courses
CBMR’s disc golf course, 10-3 @ CB, is named after the course’s high-alpine elevation of 10,300 feet. It’s 18 holes of pure fun for beginners and seasoned players alike. The course begins at the top of Red Lady Express and meanders down to within easy strolling distance of the base area. In addition, CBMR offers a short course accessed from the top of Red Lady Express that provides amazing views of Mt. Crested Butte. The course loops back to Red Lady Express for a ride back down once you have completed your round. Guests must bring their own discs.
Location
Crested Butte is located in southwestern Colorado, a 4.5-hour drive from Denver and within the Gunnison National Forest and the Elk Mountains. The resort lies in the town of Mt. Crested Butte, two miles from the town of Crested Butte. The area was originally settled in the 1880s as a mining supply camp and still reflects this era in its architecture. Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park is located within the ski area boundary.
Easy Access from Gunnison Airport
Travelers have the option to fly direct to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) on United Airlines from Houston (IAH) and Denver (DEN) in the summer months. The Gunnison airport is located just 29 miles south of Crested Butte.
Where to Stay
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Lodge at Mountaineer Square: Located in the heart of the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area – just steps from the ski lifts, hiking and biking as well as shopping, ski area services and restaurants – Mountaineer Square is an excellent “base camp” for summer mountain getaways. The Lodge at Mountaineer square features luxurious accommodations and impeccable guest service, and the Mountaineer Conference Center is suitable for events with up to 500 guests. Lodging guests can choose from one-, two-, or three-bedroom condos, studio rooms or hotel rooms. The Lodge even has a four-bedroom penthouse suite with breathtaking aerial views of the valley. Amenities include enclosed heated parking, a business center, a fitness center, sauna, hot tub and heated indoor/outdoor pool. The Lodge is just 100 yards from the Red Lady Express chairlift.
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The Grand Lodge: The Grand Lodge Hotel and Suites is only 200 yards from the slopes and offers exceptional amenities including an indoor/outdoor heated pool, a hot tub, a business center, and a restaurant. The Grand Lodge is directly across from CBMR's own main transit center, your connection to free shuttle service to the town of Crested Butte. This full-service hotel features 228 spacious rooms and suites, many with resort kitchenettes, and 5,000 square feet of meeting space.
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The Plaza Condominiums: Groups and families love The Plaza for its convenient location just across the parking lot from Silver Queen Express. It provides all the benefits of a hotel, with spacious two- and three- bedroom suites, a restaurant and bar, covered parking and two hot tubs. All check-in and front desk services for Plaza guests are provided at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square.
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Crested Butte Lodging and Properties: There are vacation rental properties throughout Mt. Crested Butte. Learn more and book your stay on our website.