Crested Butte may seem a world away because there is no direct interstate access like many of the other Colorado ski resorts, however it’s quite easy to get here and worth the trip! Once here, you’ll enjoy the seclusion, incredible snow, scarce crowds or lines, hospitality, and true mountain ambiance that Crested Butte is famous for.
Crested Butte - Colorado's Last Great Ski Town
Regardless of how you get to Crested Butte, it’s an easy and scenic drive. Located in Southwest Colorado, Mt Crested Butte is just 28 miles north of Gunnison and average drive time is around 4 hours from both Denver and Colorado Springs.
Driving Directions to Crested Butte, CO
From Denver
From Denver International Airport, take interstate 70 west, exit to highway 470 west, highway 285 south to Fairplay then Poncha Springs, highway 50 west to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From Colorado Springs
Take highway 24 west to highway 285, highway 285 south to Poncha Springs, highway 50 west to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From Montrose
Take highway 50 east to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From Texas And Oklahoma
Take interstate 25 north through Trinidad to Walsenburg, highway 160 west to Alamosa, highway 285 north to Saguache, highway 114 north to highway 50, highway 50 west to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From Arizona - Phoenix
Take interstate 17 to Flagstaff, north on highway 89, highway 160 to Cortez, north on highway 145, highway 62 to Ridgway, highway 550 north to Montrose, highway 50 east to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From California And Southern Nevada - Los Angeles - Las Vegas
Take interstate 15 to Las Vegas, interstate 70 to Grand Junction, highway 50 east to Montrose and on to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From Northern California and Utah - San Francisco - Salt Lake City
Take interstate 80 to Salt Lake City, interstate 15 via highway 6 and interstate 70 to Grand Junction, highway 50 east to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
From New Mexico - Santa Fe - Albuquerque - Taos
From highway 285, take highway 160 west to Alamosa, highway 285 north to Saguache, highway 114 north to highway 50, highway 50 west to Gunnison, then highway 135 north into Crested Butte.
Flying to Crested Butte, CO
You can fly directly into the Gunnison - Crested Butte Airport (GUC) anytime of year. Many more flights are available during the winter months, but summer transportation via air is still available. Once at the Gunnison - Crested Butte Airport (GUC) it is only a 30 minute drive between airport and the Town of Crested Butte. You can also catch a shuttle from Alpine Express from the airport to local destinations.
You can also get here via Montrose airport (MTJ), about 1.5 to 2 hours away. The Alpine Express shuttle service is offering rides from Montrose to the Gunnison Valley and Crested Butte.
United Airlines / United Express offers daily commuter flights from Denver International Airport (DIA), and daily jet service. Check the Gunnison Airport schedule for flight times and more information.
Crested Butte Transportation
Most destination ski resorts require you to have a vehicle or some sort of transportation. However, when in Crested Butte, CO, the preferred method of transportation is the one we were born with...walking! The town is quite small and everything is fairly close together. Crested Butte also has a free bus service for going between the mountain, town and most lodging locations. You can pretty much ride the bus anywhere you need to go.
Mountain Express Bus Service
Free year round bus system with Town Shuttle route which connects Crested Butte to Mt. Crested Butte. Route operates every 15 minutes during ski season and every 40 minutes during the summer. It is a 6-7 minute ride from Mt. Crested Butte to the 4-way stop in Crested Butte. View website for more information: http://www.mtnexp.org/