Getting HereLocated 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. DrivingIf 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 ClosuresFollowing 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 ConditionsCheck with the Colorado Department of Transportation for current road conditions. The routes you will be interested in are: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 TownUnlike 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 hintsOn the way to Crested Butte? Read our High Country Hints to stay healthy in our high-altitude environment.
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