15 Things to Do in Crested Butte in Winter (Beyond Skiing!)
Crested Butte is one of the top winter destinations in Colorado. This is a list of the top things to do in Crested Butte in winter… beyond just skiing!
If you’re traveling to Crested Butte last minute, you want to ensure you have lodging ahead of time! Below are some of my top picks in town!
🛌 Top lodging and hotels in Crested Butte:
- Elk Mountain Lodge (historic stay in a 1919 miner’s hotel – my #1 pick!)
- The Lodge at Mountaineer Square (right at the ski base)
- Purple Mountain (B&B with daily beer tastings)
🚗 Visiting Colorado independently? Be sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!
You’ll find many activities in Crested Butte during December, January, February… and the rest of winter. I have included some adventurous activities to enjoy during winter in Crested Butte, as well as some relaxed options like museums.
Did I miss any amazing things to do on a winter trip to Crested Butte? Let me know in the comments – thanks!
In this post...
Crested Butte Winter Tips + FAQ
Average Snowfall in Crested Butte
On average, Crested Butte receives about 197 inches of snow annually. The average amount received in the United States is 28 inches annually – so you can see why this is such a wonderful winter destination!
Another great thing is that there are 273 sunny days a year in Crested Butte! So, while it may be a top winter destination and not so warm, and least you are likely to have some sunny days on your trip!
Average Temperatures During Winter in Crested Butte
For the sake of this guide, I am discussing the colder winter months like December, January, and February, but I also included the average temperatures for November, March, and April below.
- Crested Butte in November: Highs around 39F, lows around 9F
- Crested Butte in December: Highs around 28F, lows around -3F
- Crested Butte in January: Highs around 26F, lows around -6F
- Crested Butte in February: Highs around 31F, lows around -2F
- Crested Butte in March: Highs around 38F, lows around 7F
- Crested Butte in April: Highs around 47F, lows around 18F
Please note that while Crested Butte is often sunny, it does rain/snow more in winter than in other months throughout the year, so be prepared for precipitation while there.
Best Things to Do in Crested Butte in Winter
1. Go snowshoeing in Crested Butte
This small Colorado town will entertain you with so many activities and things to do! If you want to explore the surroundings and relish sweeping winter landscapes, go snowshoeing in Crested Butte! The area has plenty of groomed trails, as well as wild backcountry ones.
Check out Brush Creek, a unique track away from the crowd that offers vistas of Teocalli Mountain. It is the perfect choice for beginner snowshoers.
If you’re looking for more daring adventures, try the Gothic Trail, which offers deep snow, epic views, and a visit to the abandoned ghost town of Gothic.
Another popular path winding through snow-covered meadows is Washington Gulch. The trail is of moderate difficulty and offers panoramic views of Gothic Mountain, Crested Butte, and Whetstone.
You can also take a guided backcountry tour through aspen groves, dark timbers, and open meadows. Just get in touch with Irwin Guides if this is something that you think would be suitable for your trip!
If you’re seeking places to rent snowshoes, poles, and boots, be sure to head to the Crested Butte Nordic Center.
2. Peruse the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
Explore the history and culture of the Gunnison Valley at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. The museum is focused on preserving, spreading, and celebrating local traditions.
Visitors can enjoy various exhibitions, take a historical walking tour of Elk Avenue, or join numerous educational events.
The museum maintains an extensive collection with items dating back to the 1880s where you can discover local mining, ranching, and other history in their permanent exhibits.
You can also take themed walking tours dedicated to a specific area of the town.
Their hours change with the season but they do offer events all winter long, like a Meet & Greet with Santa, a Polka Party with Pete Dunda, and more.
Address: 331 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224
3. Spend Half a Day at the Crested Butte Winter Adventure Park
The Crested Butte Winter Adventure Park is a kid-friendly park at the ski resort that is a great way to enjoy a little family time off the slopes!
Located at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, the park features bungee trampolines, a climbing wall, and a zipline.
The Powerade Bungy Trampolines offer a hovering ‘ride’ up to 30 feet in the air. The climbing wall has a 28-foot tower with six routes and an auto-belay.
A full-day ticket is $29 for kids and adults (a single activity one is $19 so I think it is a better value just to get the entire pass) and $20 for kids 4 and under.
Let your kids have fun while you’re taking a break at the Butte 66 restaurant, situated just beside the slopes. This is one of the main attractions in Crested Butte in winter, so do note that it may be busy!
Address: 12 Snowmass Rd, Crested Butte, CO 81225
4. See the Colorful Buildings on Elk Avenue
Take a stroll down the lively main street of Crested Butte, Elk Avenue. Immerse yourself in the historical and cultural atmosphere and enjoy world-class shopping and dining.
Love art? Visit the Creative Art District, see hand-painted buses, check out downtown galleries, and get acquainted with the local artists. In 2016, Crested Butte was officially recognized as one of the state’s best creative hubs.
Traces of art can be found in every corner of the town, as a result, and it is one of the top things to do in Crested Butte in winter in between skiing and enjoying the powder.
The area also boasts one of the state’s largest National Historic Districts. Stop at the Crested Butte Museum (I chatted about it above) or the Trailhead Children’s Museum to dive into the local history.
Don’t leave without a souvenir! You can do a bit of shopping at Chopwood Mercantile and Townie Books The owners of Townie Books also own the adjacent Rumors Coffee & Tea House so be sure to warm up with a hot beverage (and a book!) there.
5. Rejuvenate Yourself at the Creekside Spa
Find a tranquil rejuvenation spot for your body and mind at the Creekside Spa in downtown Crested Butte. The center welcomes its visitors with a peaceful atmosphere and experienced wellness therapists.
The spa provides therapeutic massages, body treatments, and organic facials. You’ll be offered organic, natural, wildcrafted products, as well as the spa’s unique steam towels and heated tables.
Choose among Swedish, therapeutic, hot stone, mother-to-be, or couples massage when there and give your body the attention it needs in between skiing and enjoying the winter activities.
The center offers various body treatments, including shea butter mineral scrub, aloe vera body wrap, and foot treatments. You’ll also find different facials that focus on age revitalizing, CBD balancing, and crystal light procedures.
Address: 120 Elk Ave #3, Crested Butte, CO 81224
6. Hike the Gothic Trail
The Gothic Trail (Snodgrass) is only a 3-minute drive from the resort and 10 minutes from town and it is an adventurer’s paradise for the whole family (and dogs).
When there, you will have the opportunity to go fat biking, Nordic skiing, or backcountry skiing. While this area is really family-friendly, please know that this 3-mile trail is listed as moderate to difficult. While the snow is deep here, the views are epic!
The trail takes you to the abandoned town of Gothic (which. is now the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory). Snowmobiles are forbidden and make sure you give way to fat-bikers and others moving at a faster pace than you.
7. Go Ice Skating at the Big Mine Ice Arena
Big Mine Ice Arena is an outdoor covered ice skating rink- a real treasure for ice-skating enthusiasts. Its natural ice has no ‘refrigeration’, which makes skating faster and more enjoyable.
The area covers 26,000 square feet, and electricity is available throughout the facility. The arena has a paved parking area with 48 head-in spaces. From December to March, the rink is packed with hockey players and public skaters.
Forgot your skates? Don’t worry. Crested Butte Nordic Center provides a selection of figure skate rentals for both adults and children. Grab your skates, check out the rink schedule, and hit the ice.
Address: 620 2nd St, Crested Butte, CO 81224
8. Enjoy a Coffee at Camp 4 Coffee
Start your winter adventures in Crested Butte with a cup of fine coffee. Camp 4 Coffee is a local roasting company located in Crested Butte, producing one of the most delicious coffees in town.
They were even voted (multiple times) the “Best Cup of Joe in Crested Butte” by the Crested Butte News.
Stop into one of their two cafes in town for a delicious pastry and try their freshly roasted signature blend, Sledgehammer. If you aren’t into coffee, sip on one of their other delicious drinks, like chai, hot spiced cider, or cocoa.
Address: 402 1/2 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224 or 161 Gillaspey Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224
9. Hike the Slate River Trail
The Slate River Trail is another ideal route to enjoy winter activities. Stretching through the most iconic valley in Crested Butte, it boasts epic views of the snow-covered river, valley walls, and Mineral Point.
Start from the parking area and climb a small hill, then take the right trail for a shortcut. Join the road again, pass the Gun-site bridge, and follow the Slate River Road to the valley.
You may turn around at any point to shorten your journey. The trail is pet-friendly, but the on-the-leash rule is applied, and remember to pick up after your little friends. This out-and-back Crested Butte hiking trail is a great option for beginners!
10. Spend a Day Nordic Skiing
Crested Butte Nordic is a world-class cross-country skiing destination with 31 miles of groomed trails. The trail system is easily accessible from the town.
If you have never cross-country skied, don’t worry, the center offers lessons with a team of experienced instructors. All the lessons are private, and you may join youth, family, or adult groups.
Find the ultimate winter experience provided by guided ski tours with a variety of stunning terrain. Choose between half-day or full-day options and explore the area with your professional guide as you learn more about Nordic skiing in Crested Butte (and its history).
Please note that the tours and lessons are available only by reservation.
Need equipment for your Nordic skiing trip? Find ski package rentals, including traditional cross-country (classic) skis and poles at the Crested Butte Nordic Center.
Address: 620 2nd St, Crested Butte, CO 81224
11. Enjoy Art at the RedLine Gallery
A great way to spend your time in Crested Butte is to explore local art collections. One of the popular places to stop is RedLine Gallery. It was established in 2014 and is located on Elk Avenue.
The gallery focuses on highlighting and sharing the works of local artists. Visitors can enjoy unique art pieces featuring paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and photography.
While many visit the area for winter opportunities, checking out the RedLine Gallery is one of the best things to do in Crested Butte for those looking to take refuge from the cold for a bit! They are open daily from 12pm to 5pm.
Address: 429 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224
12. Go Fat Biking Through the Colorado Wilderness
Crested Butte boasts marvelous conditions for fat biking, even during the colder months. Plenty of trails with a variety of terrain are maintained by local companies and outfitters.
Crested Butte Nordic manages 34 miles (55 kilometers) of groomed trails, open to fat biking and free to use. These mellow, rolling treks are situated among the east side trails and are perfect for beginners.
The paths include Town Ranch, Rec Path, Riverbend Connector, and Teocalli Connector.
The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association offers another group of groomed fat bike trails, with various difficulty levels, like Gothic Road, Teddy’s Trail on Snodgrass Mountain, and Cement Creek Road.
If you’re looking to rent a fat bike, be sure to check out Alpineer, Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven, and Crested Butte Sports.
13. Enjoy Local Rum at Montanya Distillers
Explore the flavors of traditional high-mountain rum at Montanya Distillers. This female-owned distiller is famous for producing award-winning smooth craft rums.
The founder and owner, Karen Hoskin, fell in love with rum 20 years ago in India when she first tried aged dark rum. Since its start in 2008, the company has won 29 double gold, gold, and silver medals in numerous international competitions.
Each bottle is made with Louisiana sugarcane and pristine water from the Rockies appropriate to the oldest distilling traditions of the world.
Check out their signature products like Platino one-year aged white rum, Oro one-year aged dark rum, Exclusiva three-year aged rum, and Valentia four-year aged rum. You can find distillery tours and tastings on their website linked above.
Address: 204 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224
14. Go Husky Sledding at Cosmic Cruisers
Find your fluffy adventure at Cosmic Cruisers and enjoy an unforgettable dog sledding experience in Crested Butte! These tours are available from November until April (snow permitting).
You can choose between a one-hour tour or an all-day excursion through the backcountry of Gunnison County. You can come early to learn how to harness a dog and more about the sledding experience as a whole.
Choose between riding in the sled or driving it yourself as you glide through the snow-covered forests! Call 970-641-0529 to make reservations.
15. Go Snowmobiling in Crested Butte
Crested Butte is home to opportunities for snowmobiling with an extensive network of trails, as well as numerous local companies providing guided or unguided rentals.
Whether you’re seeking a thrilling ride or a peaceful scenic ride, the area has something to suit you. For beginner and intermediate riders, snowmobiling at Lake Irwin is a perfect choice.
Advanced riders often prefer Lost Lake, offering great off-trail powder. Also, be sure to check out Kebler Pass and Splain Gulch. There’s no shortage of snowmobile rentals and guided tours in Crested Butte!
Action Adventure Snowmobiling provides tours in the backcountry and you can rent boots and suits there (and other gear).
CB MotorSports has rentals, including snow machines, helmets, boots, goggles, maps, and more. They also organize tours in the greater Crested Butte area.
Where to Stay in Crested Butte
You will find plenty of lodging and accommodation in Crested Butte during winter! Here are some of the best places to stay on your trip:
- Elk Mountain Lodge (historic stay in a 1919 miner’s hotel)
- The Lodge at Mountaineer Square (right at the ski base)
- Purple Mountain (B&B with daily beer tastings)
What are some of the top things to do in Crested Butte in winter aside from skiing? Let me know in the comments! Thanks!
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