3 replies to this topic

[nathanvg]

I've never been to Crested Butte but I am thinking of going this year. As an expert skier, I am looking forward to skiing some of the famous steeps on the north face and banana areas. But I'm also concerned with the low snow fall numbers (240) and total acerage of less than 1500.

So how sweet is the expert skiing at CB. Do you have to hike to get to most of it? Can I count on most or all of it being open? Is there enough terrain to keep someone interested for 4 days? When is the best time to go? How are the blue runs? Other thoughts from those who have been there.

[poloxskier]

Crested Butte is really a fun mountain. The area especially the banana peel area and north face are some really fun areas but I was able to ski almost all of the mountain in one day. You do have to hike to get to the peel and some of that area but some of the best skiing on the mountain is there. It was all open in March when I was there but the snow was kinda so so. The cruisers are long and fun too. All around its a good mountain but not as large as some others.

[coskibum]

Here are the pictures of CB on my site: http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/areapict...estedbutte.html

I love the ski area. it has some of the best steeps in the state. make sure they get snow though. if the two upper t-bars are closed, the area is rather intermediate.

I have also been lucky the last two times ive been there they've had over 100 inches of new in the prior week to me arriving. one day i was skiing in 30 inches of light powder, probably one of the top 3 ski days of my life.

CB is also a good mtn for intermediates and beginners, it is not all steeps.

[boardski]

As long as the conditions are good (would recommend at least 50" base) and all the mountian is open, there is good terrain to keep an expert skier busy, I skied there with my wife (an intermediate skier who does not like bumps) about 3 years ago for two days and she became rather board with the mountain for intermediate skiing, however, I rather enjoyed the mountain (I am also an expert skier/ rider) although there were several rocks and sticks and miscellaneous other stuff showing through the extreme terrain (base depth was 42"). The T-Bars, Silver Queen, East River were my most frequently ridden lifts with Paradise lift to traverse accross the mountain. The lift system seemed very efficient as long as you do not ride the "Red Lady" formerly "Keystone" lift. It stops and slows very frequently. Silver Queen is the quickest way out of the base and to the type of terrain that you would enjoy. Unfortunately, the Peel and all of those extreme runs off the Silver Queen (looking to the right as you ride up) were closed due to lack of snow. I hope to get down there again but it is sort of a long haul from the Denver area and definately requires an overnight stay. Gunnison is within a 40 min drive from the resort and usually has lodges with cheap rates.