May 08, 2019 / UNITED-STATES

Crested Butte Property Investment Guide

Located in the scenic Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Crested Butte is known as “the last great Colorado ski town.” It started as a coal mining village, and with a current population of only 1,600 people, Crested Butte has retained its small-town charm despite being one of the most popular skiing destinations in Colorado.

Crested Butte Mountain resort offers exhilarating ski conditions for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The 1,500 acres of terrain include plenty of groomed runs for beginners and intermediates, as well as cliffs, tree runs, and fresh powder trails for advanced thrill seekers.

In addition to excellent skiing in the winter, Crested Butte offers exceptional options for outdoor activities year round, including beautiful hikes, mountain biking, and more. With unlimited leisure activities and beautiful scenery, buying a property in Crested Butte is a wonderful investment for the outdoor enthusiast.

Living in Crested Butte and Things To Do

Crested Butte offers small town living in a breath-taking location. Sitting at an elevation of 8,885 feet above sea level, the town has one main street, Elk Avenue. It’s a quaint road that boasts dozens of bars, restaurants, and boutiques. The town hosts events on Elk Avenue year-round, including weekly farmers markets, historic walking tours, and annual ski races.

Skiing is the main attraction during the winter months, which typically span from November to March. Winters here are cold and snowy, with an average low temperature of -8 degrees and over 200 inches of snow per year. Despite its reputation for challenging terrain, Crested Butte is an excellent family skiing destination. The mountain leads the state in teaching first-time skiers, offering a range of lesson options. If you aren’t interested in skiing, you can snowshoe, snowmobile, or bring the kids to the winter adventure park on the mountain, which includes mini golf, a bungee trampoline, and a climbing wall. There are fun activities for all ages and all experience levels.

Summer months in Crested Butte are dry and warm, so are a popular time to visit due to the 29 cross-country and downhill mountain biking trails that cover 30 miles of wilderness. Visitors can also hike, raft, fish, stand up paddle board, and attend outdoor concerts during these pleasant warm months. The summer season in Crested Butte spans from June to September, and the average high is 75 degrees.

For more information on Crested Butte weather reports and snow reports, visit our Crested Butte resort guidehere.

Leisure and Culture in Crested Butte

The main street of Crested Butte is a US National Historic Landmark District. Walking down Elk Avenue, you’ll pass beautifully preserved Victorian-era buildings, saloons, and old shops that have been converted into locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The buildings are colourful and quaint, and make you feel as if you’ve travelled back in time to when Crested Butte was a booming mining town.

Crested Butte is the wildflower capital of Colorado. Since 1986 the town has hosted an annual Wildflower Festival, with over 200 wildflower-based programs to celebrate the season and advocate for the preservation and appreciation of wildflowers.

Crested Butte also offers a range of other cultural events and festivals throughout the year. You can attend music, art, wine and food, and film festivals during both the summer and winter months. It’s a small town with a rich history and a big appreciation of arts and culture.

Investment Potential in Crested Butte

Vail Resorts purchased the Crested Butte Mountain resort in 2018, and the new owner has announced plans to invest millions of dollars across its major ski areas over the next two years. The new ownership will result in major infrastructural upgrades for Crested Butte, with an additional promise to maintain the community pride and small-town exclusivity of the quirky ski destination. Members of the Crested Butte community will see improvements in ski lifts, mountain infrastructure, and town amenities in the near future.

Because of the recent acquisition, Crested Butte will also be a part of the Vail Epic Pass. This means that skiers who ski regularly at Crested Butte can also enjoy the other gorgeous ski resorts that Vail owns and operates in Colorado and all over the world, such as nearby resorts Breckenridge and Telluride. Other neighbouring resorts easily accessible from Crested Butte include Buena Vista, Ragged Mountain, and Monarch.

Transport to Crested Butte

Even though it feels remote, Crested Butte is easily accessible. Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is a short 30 minutes from the town, and it has an extensive flight network that allows guests to travel there from anywhere in the world. The Alpine Express offers a door-to-door shuttle service for travellers that takes them from the regional airport to their accommodation in town.

Driving to Crested Butte is scenic and relaxed. You can drive from both Denver and Colorado Springs in less than four hours. The resort is also possible to drive to from Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Once you’re there, the town offers an efficient transportation network, with a local taxi service and a regular ski town shuttle system. Most properties in Crested Butte are connected to the excellent lift systems as well, so property owners won't have to worry about parking or car rentals.