Winter in the Heart of the Rockies

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley in southwest Colorado comes alive in winter with events that warm the heart and capture the area’s unique sense of adventure and playfulness.

Located slightly off the beaten track, away from traffic congestion on Colorado’s major interstates, Gunnison-Crested Butte offers some of the world’s best alpine and Nordic skiing, tubing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and ice fishing in the historic, real-town settings of Gunnison and Crested Butte. Locally owned eateries, one-of-a-kind shops and galleries, arts centers, museums, and a full calendar of festivals, athletic activities and cultural events add to the authentic, all-around winter playground atmosphere in the Gunnison Valley.

“Visitors can expect to enjoy a clear-headed, adventurous state of mind in Gunnison-Crested Butte. It is Norman Rockwell with our own high country twist. While outdoor sports help the area come alive in the winter, there is much more than pristine powder and thrilling descents!” says Jane Chaney, director of the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association.

Winter season officially kicked off with the opening of the trails at Crested Butte Nordic Center on Nov 18 and the slopes at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) on Nov 19. After feasting on turkey and all the fixings, guests will find an outlet for their energy at the Nordic Council’s 5th Annual Thanksgiving Training Camp, Nov 25 – 27, and the Best of the Crested Butte Reel Fest, Nov 26. The focus then moves to celebrating Christmas and New Year’s with a full slate of family activities.

Toward the end of the season, Gunnison-Crested Butte turns the corner into spring with the legendary backcountry ski race Elk Mountains Grand Traverse on Mar 31 - Apr 1. At the stroke of midnight on March 31, approximately 120 teams of two start out over a 40-mile course that takes them from the base of Mt. Crested Butte through remote wilderness terrain, across two mountain passes and finishes at Aspen Mountain on Apr 1. Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s 3rd Annual SlushHuck, Apr 1 – 2, also has become a celebration of warmer temperatures and good-natured fun.

The last weekend of the ski season could be a ho-hum, hang up your boots kind of farewell in some towns. In Crested Butte, “Colorado’s Last Great Ski Town,” the expected never happens. Locals and visitors will be flushing out winter and welcoming spring with the 37th Annual Flauschink, Apr 7 - 9. A historical slide show, coronation ball and polka dance, parade, and a ski slope salute to the king and queen of Flauschink are just part of the wacky fun. The last day of the season for Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Crested Butte Nordic Center is Apr 9.

DECEMBER 2005

3 Santa & Elves in Downtown Gunnison
3 Crested Butte Nordic Center Citizens’ Race: 10K Classic Race
3 Crested Butte Community School Holiday Bazaar
3 – 4 Jeep King of the Mountain Series – Crested Butte Mountain Resort
4 Nordic Day for Kids at Crested Butte Nordic Center
4 Downtown Gunnison Holiday Open Houses
9 – 10 Gunnison Arts Center Singers Concert – Featuring Cole Porter Music
9 Tree Lighting Procession – Elk Avenue in Crested Butte
10 Holiday Shopping Day in Crested Butte
10 Crested Butte Nordic Center Citizens’ Race: 10K Skate Race
10 Curious Theatre Company’s “The Dead Guy,” Crested Butte Center for the Arts
11 Gunnison Holiday Home Tour
15 Moonlight Ski Tour - Crested Butte Nordic Center
15 Moonlight Atlas Snowshoe Tour – Crested Butte Mountain Resort
15-31 Crested Butte Mtn. Theatre - “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge”
17 Crested Butte Nordic Center Citizens’ Race: 15K Skiathalon
17 Telemark Demo Day - Crested Butte Mountain Resort
21 Nordic Skiing Clinics w/Olympian Rebecca Dussault – CB Nordic Center
22 – 24 Wendy Fisher’s “FISHSKI” Camp for Girls - CBMR
24 Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade at Crested Butte Mountain Resort
29 Crested Butte Center for the Arts’ Moveable Feast – Progressive Dinner
31 New Year’s Canine Caper Relay Race - Crested Butte Nordic Center
31 Profurious Pipe and Park Series – Rail Jam, CBMR
31 New Year’s Eve Celebration - Crested Butte Mountain Resort


 

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