|
| |
| |
|
CREASTED BUTTE |
| |
The beautiful Victorian mining village of CRESTED BUTTE , 150 miles
northwest of Telluride and 230 miles southwest of Denver, almost died
off in the late 1950s when its coal deposits were exhausted. However,
the development of 11,875ft Mount Crested Butte into a world-class ski
resort in the 1960s, and a mountain-bikers ' paradise two decades later,
means that today it can claim to be the best year-round resort in
Colorado. The old town is resplendent with gaily painted clapboard homes
and businesses, and zoning laws ensure that condos and chalets are
confined to the resort area, tucked behind the foothills three miles up
the road. The rapid transition from near-ghost town to sporting heaven
has lured young people here from throughout the West, to produce an
addictive laid-back atmosphere.
The town and mountain
Despite the presence of a pretty and well-preserved Victorian downtown
core, people come to Crested Butte only to head out again into the
surrounding mountains where the skiing and mountain biking in particular
are world-class.
In skiing and snowboarding circles the Butte is best known for its
extreme terrain, with lifts serving out-of-the-way bowls and faces that
would only be accessible by helicopter at other resorts. It's no
surprise then that the resort hosts both the US extreme skiing and
snowboarding championships. That said, there are plenty of long
intermediate runs mixed in over the mountain's thousand skiable acres,
keeping the slopes accessible to all. Fourteen chairlifts (adult day
lift passes $55) link 86 runs, which are usually uncrowded thanks to the
resort's isolated location. Cross-country, especially telemark, skiing
attracts thousands, while snowmobiling ranks as a great way to rest your
legs. For something a little different, try a horseback ride through the
snow with Fantasy Ranch ($85; tel 970/349-5425).
In summer, mountain bikes all but outnumber cars around the town,
especially during Fat Tire Week in July, one of the oldest festivals in
the young sport and one that according to local legend evolved from a
race over the rocky 21-mile Pearl Pass to Aspen on newspaper bicycles in
the 1970s. You can still ride this route - 190 miles shorter than the
road - but some of the most exciting trails are much nearer town and
include the gorgeous 401 trail with wide open vistas, the Dyke Trail
thickly wooded with aspens and the long, varied and occasionally
challenging Deadman's Gulch. The visitors' information center can help
out with a basic map and route description for main trails, and local
bike shops like The Alpineer, 419 6th St (tel 970/349-5210, ), are well-equipped
with route maps and rental bikes.
|
|
