Crested Butte, Colorado town, named after the Crested Butte Mountains, is located in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States.
It is also known as “the last great Colorado ski town” and “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.”
The mostly long, bitterly cold winter season makes it a heaven for extreme sports enthusiasts and adrenaline lovers for most of the year. This town has attracted the US Extreme Skiing Championship and X Games.
Area of the Butte Mountain terrain is a ski run for winter sports such as snow skiing and snowboarding. The town itself has a Nordic Center with an ice-skating rink and many groomed cross-country skiing trails.
There are also assortments of Summer activities such as Mountain Biking, which Crested Butte Colorado town claims to have created; the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame was located here till 2014.
Other activities include hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, four-wheeling, fishing, whitewater rafting, and disc golf.
1. Festivals to Enjoy

1.1. Winter Season Festivities
- Torchlight
- New Years Festivals
- Winter Carnivals
- Butte Bash College Ski Week
- Mardi Grass
1.2. Spring Season Festivities
- Extreme-Board Fest
- Slushuck
- Flauschink
1.3. Summer Season Festivities
- The Crested Butte Bike Week
- Crested Butte International Film Festival
- Crested Butte Music Festival
- 4th of July
- The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
- Alpenglow Concert Series
- Festival of the Arts and Ball Bash
1.4. Fall Season Festivities
- Fall Fest
- Vinotok and Paragon People’s Fair
2. Popular Places to Visit
2.1. Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Popular among winter sports enthusiasts, especially for freeskiing. Ski season is from November to April’s beginning. If you’re a serious skier, don’t forget to plunge from a vertical height of 3,062 ft.
Besides skiing, you can try your hands at zip-line, snowboarding, snowmobile riding, snowshoeing, snow biking, and much more.
During summer, hike through spectacular wildflower crested mountains, enjoy adrenaline-filled mountain biking, or scale the height with rock climbing; if you love water sports, try whitewater rafting and much more.
After being an adrenaline junky for the whole day, relax & dine out in the mountain’s three slope-side restaurants, which you can reach via lift.
Check out their website for more info: www.skicb.com
2.2. Kebler Pass
Kebler Pass is famous for its vibrant fall foliage by Aspen trees. Perched 10,007 ft above sea level, it connects Crested Butte with Paonia in the west.
One of the US’s largest groves of Aspen trees, the picturesque drive takes you through the spectacular aspen forest, alpine meadows, and mountain lakes.
Tourists take a hike to enjoy the foliage or pack a picnic. This place is any photographer’s dream for a perfect shot!
2.3. Crested Butte Nordic

One of the premier cross-country destinations in Crested Butte, Colorado, has 50 km of groomed trails for skate skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
You won’t need to carry your gear, and they provide it with all, and if you don’t know how to ski, the well-trained staff will give you some lessons.
After a day-long excursion, enjoy a delicious 5-course meal at The Magic Meadow Yurt, located in River Valley, just outside Crested Butte.
Check out their website for more info: https://cbnordic.org/
3. Popular Eating & Drinking Spots
No vacation is complete without tasting local cuisine. After visiting all these festivities and doing adventurous sports, anyone will work up a good appetite.
With over 50 restaurants, bars, distilleries, and nightlife venues available in Crested Butte, it will be helpful to know which option is best for your palate and budget.
3.1. Wooden Nickel – Bar & Steakhouse

This iconic and one of the oldest steakhouses of Crested Butte has served its famous prime ribs since 1981.
It features a wide variety of premium-grade steaks, pork, lamb, lobster, crab, fish, sandwiches, and salads, with an extensive range of martinis, wine, and beer.
If you love your steak, don’t forget to try it!
Check out their website for more heart-warming dishes: www.woodennickelcb.com
3.2. The Secret Stash
Located at 303 Elk Avenue, this famous local joint is the winner of the best pizza in the World Champion Pizza Challenge and their best Secret Stash Wings in Crested Butte since 2002.
As popular among locals, this funkiest pizza place serves hand-tossed gourmet pizza made from scratch, Asian BBQ-style grilled wings, and more.
Check out their website for more cheesy delights: www.secretstash.com
3.3. Bonez
If you love Mexican food, then you wouldn’t want to miss this Mexican restaurant. Located at 130 Elk Avenue is another restaurant chain of The Secret Stash.
Enjoy their excellent collection of appetizers, fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, salsa, chips, and their famous Guacamole with the largest tequila collection in the whole Crested Butte in Colorado.
Check out their website for a more eclectic menu: www.bones.co
3.4. McGill’s at Crested Butte
Located at 228 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, Colorado, this restaurant is famous for its delicious breakfasts and lunches, such as french toast with real maple syrup, Spanish omelet, Spanish stuffed pepper, and some house specialties every day.
Don’t forget to try their best for malts, floats, shakes, and liquor ranges such as Bloody Marys, wine, beer, mimosas, and much more.
Check out their website for more yummy options: www.mcgillscrestedbutte.com
3.6. Soupçon
You can find this French-American cafe at 127 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, Colorado.
Delicious dishes that change every season are made with locally supplied ingredients with traditional French techniques and the finest cuisine worldwide.
Some featuring dishes are Alaskan Crab Bisque, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Chilean Sea Bass, Nordic Halibut, slow-braised beef short rib, and Meyer Lemon Cake with their signature cocktails & wine.
Check out their website for more delicious dishes: www.soupconcb.com
3.7. Ryce Asian Bistro

Who doesn’t love a hearty bowl of Thai Curry Noodles or Pad Thai – Rice Noodles, mixed vegetables served with lime & peanut, one of the favorite Asian dishes in the US?
Located at 120 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, Colorado, this restaurant serves the best Chinese, Japanese, Thailand, and Vietnamese dishes, along with various ranges of shakes, champagne, and martinis.
You’re going to regret it if you miss it!
Check out their website for more detectable dishes: www.ryceasianbistro.com
Bottom Line
Hopefully, the mention of these mouth-watering local spots, adrenaline fuel activities, and the promise of vibrant fall foliage of Crested Butte Colorado has convinced you to visit this quaint & picturesque town.
Have fun exploring!
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology