*by Eric Greene with contributions by Graham Hiemstra
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.
The Gunnison-Crested Butte region is a unique mix of old-school ski bums, rancher country rednecks, and super wealthy 1%ers with “vacation homes” that see action twice a year at best. Americana might be a fitting label. Gunnison, or “Gunny,” is the larger town at the bottom of the valley that leans on the rancher side of the spectrum. Traveling up Highway 135, it gets a more hippy-like with a touch of weekender chalet money. And Crested Butte Mountain Resort, at the top of the road, is where it all comes together.
The town of Crested Butte has a great vibe. It’s old, walkable, and even stays up late. There’s good food, incredible beer—and rum, oddly enough—and advanced terrain to explore in all directions. It’s one of the most beautiful areas in the Rockies, where rivers and forests sit below daunting mountains. But we’ll end the sappy stuff there, and simply say, if you do decide to see it for yourself, give the following Dos & Don'ts a read first.