Traveling to Crested Butte

Getting here from there, getting around.

Elk Avenue in Crested Butte. What a sight!

Getting Here

Located in a remote valley high in the Rocky Mountains, part of Crested Butte’s charm is that it feels very far away from the big cities of the Colorado front range, and the Interstate-served resort areas of Summit County.

However, this doesn’t mean it’s all that hard to get here. A number of major airlines offer direct flights and Denver connections into Gunnison airport in the winter, and there’s convenient shuttle service from the airport to Crested Butte.

Though flights are less frequent in the summertime, there are still a number of daily arrivals and departures on United Express to and from Denver International Airport.

Driving

If you are driving to Crested Butte from metro Denver, the trip takes about four and a half hours in perfect weather. Add 30 minutes to 1 hour if you are coming from the Denver airport. Add even more time if the roads are snowy.

Winter Road Closures

Following the first big snow storm in the fall, Kebler Pass Road is officially closed into Crested Butte. Cottonwood Pass Road, from Buena Vista to the Taylor Park area, is also closed. These roads reopen with the spring thaw, usually in mid-May.

For the rest of the winter, our only highway access is via US 50 (east-west through Gunnison), and then SR 135 north 30 miles to the end of the road in Crested Butte.

Highway Conditions

Check with the Colorado Department of Transportation for current road conditions. The routes you will be interested in are:

  • US 285 from Denver to Poncha Springs
  • US 50 over Monarch Pass and through Gunnison
  • SR 135 from Gunnison to Crested Butte

    On the left is the current HighwayCam image from Monarch Pass. Monarch is the major pass you need to cross coming to Crested Butte from Denver or points in the midwest.

    Getting Around Town

    Unlike many other destination ski resorts, it’s easy, and in fact preferable, to go without a car in Crested Butte. Alpine Express shuttles meet every flight at the airport, and take you from the airport to town. Once you get to Crested Butte, you won’t want the hassle of alternate-side winter parking and clearing snow off your car every morning. Our town is quite small, and everything is close by. Crested Butte also has convenient free bus service between the ski area, town, and most condominium locations. You can ride the bus practically anywhere you need to go in Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

    High Country hints

    On the way to Crested Butte? Read our High Country Hints to stay healthy in our high-altitude environment.
  • Click here for local maps

    Air Travel

    Air Travel The closest local airport is the Gunnison-Crested Butte airport (GUC), a 30 minute drive from the town of Crested Butte. There are a variety of flights and airlines that can help you fly to the area. Schedules and times vary throughout the year, so be sure to check the local Gunnison fight schedule. Alpine Express provides shuttles from this airport to local destinations.

    You can also get here via Montrose (MTJ), about 1 and a half to two hours away. The Alpine Express shuttle service is offering rides from Montrose to the Gunnison Valley and Crested Butte.

    We don't recommend flying just to Denver in the winter (DEN), as you are still a long 5-hour drive over mountain passes away from Crested Butte, and there's no scheduled bus or shuttle from Denver to our area.

    Still have questions? Community Flights offers some very helpful and comprehensive assistance.

    Ground Transportation

    Black Canyon Limo Proudly providing full-service private transportation to our clientele in Crested Butte, CO with door-to-door service by world-class drivers to your residence, rental, or hotel in the mountains.

    Rental Cars Avis, Budget, and Hertz offer car and Jeep rentals at the Gunnison airport.

    Around Town

    Condo Shuttles serve the condominium complexes adjacent the ski area, from 8AM to midnight, leaving every 20 minutes until 8 PM and then every 30 minutes until midnight.

    The Mountain Express Bus System Visit The Mountain Express website for the latest bus schedules. Remember, this is a free mode of transportation!

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