Known around the world for being home to 54 peaks over 14,000 ft tall—and for being the first U.S. state to legalize weed—Colorado is on pretty much every outdoor enthusiast’s to-do list. But with great terrain comes great exploitation. And in 2017 it’s easier to find valet parking and a Gucci store at the local ski hill than a sub $125 lift ticket. That said, a few gems still exists, if you’re willing to work for it (read: go somewhere not off I-70).
One such destination is Crested Butte. At roughly four and a half hours drive from Denver, and at least one layover by air, it’s a town you don’t just stumble into. And in all likelihood, it’s this very remoteness that’s allowed the modest town of 1,500 residents to retain a bit of genuine charm.