As of December 29, 2025, Crested Butte Mountain Resort is welcoming skiers and riders with crisp mountain air and brisk temperatures dipping to 4.5°F overnight. Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, offering 1,547 acres of varied terrain.
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Humidity
The snowpack currently sits at 15 inches—down nearly 45% from average for this time of year—making for thin but manageable early-season conditions. Groomed runs are riding fast, while off-piste terrain remains limited due to a low Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) of 3.2 inches. Despite the modest base, the resort has successfully opened all lifts for the 2024–25 season, offering access to a wide variety of terrain for those eager to carve into the New Year.
Relief is in sight, however, as a storm system is forecast to drop up to 4 inches over the next five days, part of a broader pattern expected to bring 18–30 inches across the Colorado high country. Local buzz is high with the conclusion of the 50th Annual Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race, a lively celebration of Crested Butte’s ski culture. Meanwhile, the lift maintenance crew’s tentative contract agreement marks a step toward labor stability for the resort. With storm clouds building and festivities in full swing, Crested Butte is poised for stronger snowfall and spirited turns as 2025 comes to a close.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Butte.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Crested Butte Mountain Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado is situated in the Elk Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains. The resort itself is located on the slopes of Crested Butte Mountain, which is part of the Elk Mountains. The highest peak in the Elk Mountains is Maroon Peak, which stands at 14,156 feet.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders, including steep chutes, groomed runs, and backcountry access. The resort is known for its challenging terrain and abundance of expert runs, making it a popular destination for advanced skiers and riders.
The resort's best trails include the expert-level Headwall and The High Lift, as well as the intermediate-level Painter Boy and Keystone. A little-known fact about the resort is that it was one of the first ski resorts in the country to allow snowboarding. For beginners, the resort offers the friendly and easy-going trails of the Red Lady and Lower Keystone. The best apres ski bar is the Avalanche Bar and Grill, which offers live music and a cozy atmosphere to relax after a long day on the slopes.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 16 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 19850 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2857 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 1167 Acres |
Established | 1963 |
Run Count | 121 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, sunny, with a high near 26. calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is expected to receive up to 4.29" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Steamboat Springs and the surrounding northern Colorado mountains are seeing the heaviest snowfall forecasts this week. The Tower SNOTEL site near Steamboat reports a snowpack depth of 48" and an 8" forecast over five days. Dry Lake and Rabbit Ears Pass are also in line for 7–8" of new snow. Close by, Steamboat Resort is expected to benefit most from ... Read more