Give it your best go at skiing or riding across the pond at Crested Butte’s annual pond skim taking place on Saturday April 6.  Keep those ski tips up so you don’t end up in the icy cold water.  Costumes are highly encouraged making it for a fun festivity. The pond skim is also a great spectator event, so if you don’t feel up to chancing the infamous pond crossing, come on out and watch the action. Details: • Registration | 12:30pm – 1:30 pm | Crested Butte Rental Center • Pond Skim | 2pm – 4pm | Warming House Hill

The Flauschink Kids Cape Race is a new event this year added to the closing day lineup. Held on Spruce Carpet at 1 p.m. this free event is open to kids of all ages as well as those young at heart too!  Wear your favorite cape and make your way through a fun obstacle course on the magic carpet near the pond. This is a fun new way to participate for those who are too young to try out the pond skim! Parents must be present and sign a waiver. Flauschink celebrates the flushing out of winter and the coming of spring every year over closing weekend in Crested Butte. The 2019 King and Queen of Flauschink will make their Royal Appearance at the start of the Pond Skim.

After watching the Flauschink Kids Cape Race, come down to the base to watch The Main Squeeze free concert.

The Main Squeeze, originally from Chicago, IL is a Rock n Roll Funky Soul band that claims their music as “Good for the soul y’all.”  They formed in 2010 at Indiana University and they began selling out clubs to frenzied college students in just a few short months.  They are a captivating band where their live performances have since earned them a devoted national following and caught the interest of legendary producer, Randy Jackson who produced their latest album titled, “Mind Your Head.”  The 5-piece band currently is based out of Los Angeles and has also debuted at Red Rocks and many other summer festivals.

Be sure to enjoy the steep skiing, fresh snow, live music and fun events for a weekend full of festivities at Crested Butte!

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You can register now at their website. Grab your own pick-me-up coffee and participation bib at coal Breaker Coffee 9-11am. 

The Tag Team Race starts at noon with the individual race following at 1pm. Head on over to the North Face Lift to watch them take off up the hill! Racers will climb and descend through black diamonds steeps in their most ridiculous party costumes. 

Following the event, there will be a short awards ceremony and a Ski Town Breakdown concert at the base area. Awards will be given to best costumes and fastest times. Whether you watched or participated, all will be in celebration with live music, mountain views, and true ski spirit.  

They boast “There will be wipe-outs, there will be prized and glory, and there will probably be costumes that you just can’t unsee.” 

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It has been decided that many of the ski and ride slopes will stay open for visitors to enjoy following a snowstorm that has hit the area and in anticipation of greater snow fall in the weeks to come. By the end of March, it is predicted that several feet of fresh snow will have fallen on the area, creating an ideal environment for spring skiing.

OpenSnow‘s snow report shows that Crested Butte has already seen close to two feet of snowfall this March, with another 15 inches expected over the next 10 days. There’s no telling what good news early April will bring, but Colorado’s resorts are expecting that all of the fresh powder will sustain the slopes until at least the season’s end, if not beyond.

For 2021, Crested Butte plans to close on April 4. The ability to extend the ski season into April is exciting for resorts, which have suffered from the reduction in tourism this season, and is a gift to skiers who have stood by safety protocols and supported resorts through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This spring, let OpenSnow be your snowfall guide! Check the forecasts over at OpenSnow and make the most of the perfect, late season skiing conditions.

If you previously missed your chance to visit Crested Butte and ski, then this is your sign to come visit now! Don’t miss the chance to ski before the slopes close for the season!

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Spring Skiing 

Crested Butte Mountain Resort has some of the best ski slopes in the world! The latter half of ski season always brings bluebird days and perfect conditions, making it a great time for snow sports. You’ll adore the soft yet stable snow, short lines, and sunny skies! The slopes stay open until early April, so you can ski and snowboard all spring long! Pack your sunscreen and get ready to have the time of your life! 

Other Popular Spring Activities 

• Snow tubing is fun for all ages. It is the perfect way to spend a snowy afternoon with the family! 
• Snowshoeing is a calm wilderness adventure that allows you to get up close and personal with the spring landscape. Visit the Nordic Center for rentals, lessons, and more! 
• If you want to spend some time inside, then you should visit a local art gallery! Crested Butte has a number of fantastic galleries to explore, all with different mediums and focuses! 
• Warmer days means more variety in available activities. If it isn’t too cold when you visit, then you should go for a hike! Once the snow begins to melt, hikers will enjoy the approachable, scenic Judd Falls Trail. 
• Get out on the water! Early spring is the perfect time to go fly fishing, while later spring is ideal for whitewater rafting! 
• Try to spot iconic Colorado animals, which are most visible in the spring! Taylor Canyon is a great place to spot bighorn sheep. Moose can be found in some wetlands, and, of course, bears love the rugged landscape! 

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Spring Events 

• Ski Town Breakdown: Celebrate spring with terrific tunes and cold drinks! Free live music performances take place 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, and 4/2. 
• Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race: During this energetic, costumed race, competitors climb 660 vertical feet, followed by a 1200 foot descent through the infamous Extreme Terrain. Catch it on 3/19! 
• The Grand Traverse: This point-to-point ski race covers 40 miles, from Crested Butte all of the way to Aspen. Racers traverse the Elk Mountain range, climbing over 6800 vertical feet. It will take place 4/2-4/3. 
  What’s your favorite spring activity in Crested Butte? Tell us in the comments! 

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There is so much to do in Crested Butte’s great outdoors! After a winter of snowfall, the town’s landscape explodes with beautiful nature that is not to be missed. Hiking, rafting, and shopping at the farmers’ market are fantastic ways to get outside, although there is no shortage of activities to enjoy. 

Hike

Crested Butte is popularly thought of as the wildflower capital of Colorado. As such, it is a spectacular place to participate in spring hiking. The East River Trail (4.8 miles) from the Brush Creek Trailhead is a great starter trail. In the spring and summer, it features loads of jaw-dropping wildflowers. It also offers lovely views of Crested Butte and a nice waterfall.

Baxter Gulch Trail (10.4 miles) is a more moderately challenging trail, featuring steeper elevation gain and less usage. It is beloved for its wildflowers as well as for its terrain variety. It does pass through private property, but it features easements to allow hiker access!

Looking for a true challenge? Hike Upper Westside to Crested Butte (10.6 miles). Like the other two trails I mentioned, this trail features gorgeous wildflowers, but it differs in that it features sharp elevation gains, boulder crossing, and some truly spectacular views of Crested Butte and Gunnison National Forest. 

Raft

Looking for an adrenaline-inducing adventure? Go rafting near Crested Butte! Rising water levels in the late spring and summer make for some truly spectacular whitewater rafting. There are many convenient, high-quality rafting companies available in the Crested Butte area that offer rafting expeditions for people with all different rafting experience levels. Check out information on Crested Butte rafting and plan your next rafting trip with Scenic River Tours or Three Rivers Resort! 

Shop at the Farmers’ Market 

When I travel, I love to visit local farmers’ markets. Crested Butte’s Farmers’ Market is worth checking out, as it will help you get to know local food on a much deeper level. The market operates Sundays from 9 AM to 2 PM May through October as well as Thursdays from 3 PM to 6 PM July through August. With many food vendors, there is so much local goodness to see and taste! 

Cycle

If you love to bike, then you should check out the Ohio Pass Loop. A local favorite, this route runs for about 52 miles with a good bit of elevation gain. Alongside a lightly trafficked road, this route is a cyclist’s dream. You’ll love the scenic views of the mountains and the iconic wildflowers. 

The mountain terrain and ranch land along the trail is some of the most beautiful in the west and is totally worth the challenges that the trail throws at you. Section it up and take your time tackling some or all of the gorgeous loop! Local bike rentals are available to visitors.

What’s your favorite way to spend a spring day in Crested Butte? 

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