You can call this family official wannabe ski bums. A few nights before a decent snowstorm moved into the mountains, we spontaneously booked some nights in Crested Butte, CO. (Spontaneity is how we most of our trips.) Fresh powder doesn’t hurt either. Not bad for a quick getaway over the New Years Week holiday. After holiday dinners and the boys home for approximately infinity days, we could not clean the kitchen one more time. It also worked out as a great last-minute Christmas present surprise. We gave the kids a semi-sentimental Christmas letter. It only contained a chore list that said to pack, we were leaving the next day, and clean their rooms.
We usually stay away from the slopes over holiday weekends. There is a definite want to avoid the long lift line and meltdowns. And this comes from a Disney theme parking, Orlando native. We also wanted to avoid the packed restaurants and grossly overpriced hotels. But with the dreams of sugarplums and a few powder days, we said heck to it and booked a ski-in/ski-out hotel (Elevation Hotel and Spa) right at the base of Mt. Crested Butte.
Crested Butte has been called ‘The Last Great Colorado Ski Town’. Having done a moderate amount of winter skiing, Crested Butte might just be the crowned jewel of family ski towns. It started with a five-hour white knuckle over the mountains, curvy, holy smokes, no guardrail, icy mountain drive. It’s far enough from busy Denver that you cut out alot of day time visitors. he reward is a gem of a town that retains all that Old West charm.
*Travel Tip: Stock up on food/booze in Gunnison, CO (home to the cleanest/nicest Subway on earth). It’s about a half-hour before getting to Crested Butte. It’s also your last opportunity at a Walmart and full-size grocery store that we suburbanites are used to. Don’t forget your bathing suit for hot-tubing at the hotel, it’s slim pickings if you need to pick one up on the way!
Hotel: Elevation Resort
Now, you will definitely miss out on the posh, bougie experience that a Vail trip can provide at Crested Butte. But what you gain, is a laid-back family-oriented experience. With the current COVID state of affairs, no one is getting that posh five-star pampering anyway right now. Elevation Resort was a fantastic, family-friendly option for lodging that was steps away from the ski lifts. The hotel was complete with a decent onsite restaurant, pool/hot tub options, and a reasonably large fitness facility but the location was the best part of our stay. Our typical ski outing is a family of four trying to dress/undress/publicly moon everyone in the parking lot while getting ready and then needing to use the bathroom. It’s easy to say the ski valet at the hotel was a treat!
The skiing was awesome – 8” of snow fell on the first day of our stay! The mountain offers something for everyone, from your most brazen extreme terrain hunter to your chill green/blue runs that our family calls home. Take a load off and grab a peppermint schnapps hot chocolate at The Umbrella Bar and like us, watch your kids crash and burn on the terrain park right below. Make sure you take the Silver Queen Express Chairlift and soak in the gorgeous mountain views of Mt. Crested Butte above and the panoramic view of the town below. The view also strikingly resembles a scene from the ‘The Grinch’ with Mount Crumpit rising about the pleasant town of Whoville below.
The historic downtown area was as picturesque of a little quaint ski town as you could ask. And it complete with great local restaurant choices, boutique shopping, and limited parking!
*Travel Tip 2: For only a ten minute ride, the bus system around town is a great and reliable option to get between Mt. Crested Butte and the downtown main street.
Eating: Downtown Crested Butte
We had two wonderful and unique restaurant experiences at Bonez and Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle. Bonez was not your average Mexican restaurant. Decorated with a Dia De Los Muertos theme it had a simple, yet eclectic menu. I opted to pair the Oaxacan Old Fashion with the Carnitas Enchiladas! Marchitelli’s is everything you love about a family-owned Italian restaurant. Great portions, a family-friendly environment, and a red sauce to die for! Nicky’s Mini Donut shop is a kid fun option for dessert and will guarantee your kids Rocky Mountain sugar high.
If you want an authentic, original Colorado Ski Town experience then look no further than Crested Butte. The originality and hospitality of the locals, epic skiing, all set in the unique Old West backdrop makes Crested Butte a true jewel of the Rockies!
File: Guide to Crested Butte
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