Crested Butte - Skiing

Great family location. Great beginner and advanced skiing. I've been going to Crested Butte since 1986 and all 3 of our kids started skiing there at 4 years of age (starting in 1993). All are now great skiiers. We've been there over 20 times, including in the summer several times.

The lift lines are not as crowded as the I-70 ski resorts, because it is hard to get to CB from Denver.

Great restaurants in a small ski town atmosphere. Mardi Gras is a great time because the crowds are even less. I can send restaurant recommendations if you need them, but here is a start with kids. Secret Stash has great pizza. Slogars is a great "down home" food restaurant (great fried chicken served family style). Gourmet Noodle is a perfect Italian restaurant. Wooden Nickel is also a favorite, although I heard rumors that it may have closed (temporarily closed?). Soupcon is a high end parent's French restaurant. I can provide others if you need them.

What's the easiest way to get there?

Do you want to fly or drive? American and United fly into Gunnison during the Winter and it is only about 30-40 minute drive to CB from there. You can rent a car or take the shuttle. You don't really need a car in CB, as the public transportation is great. You can also fly into Montrose on Southwest (and some other airlines), but the drive is about 2 hours to CB from Montrose.

For driving, we drove from Waco to CB a lot during spring breaks (and in the summer). It is about a 13 hour drive from Waco (or about 12 hours from DFW). We drove to Trinidad, CO the first night, spent the night in a cheap hotel (along with everyone from Waco during spring break) and then drove into CB the next morning. We didn't like driving in the mountains at night during the snow season, which is why we stopped in Trinidad.

When driving from Texas, we took 287 through Texas, then to Raton, New Mexico, then I-25 north to Walsenburg, then Hwy 160 West to Almosa, then Hwy 285 to Saguache and Gunnison, then the short ride to CB. Going on the Southern plains limited the big mountain passes and the traffic.

I hope this helps.

CB is awesome. Great town and the free bus system works really well. No lift lines and terrain ranges from beginner to as steep as you want to go. We always fly into Gunnison and an easy shuttle to CB.