Two Feet of New Snow Launches Winter Season in Gunnison-Crested Butte

With more than two feet of fluffy white snow falling over recent days, Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley is off to a momentous start to winter. Crested Butte Nordic Center is open with some of the best early season conditions on record, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort is gearing up to open next week in time for Thanksgiving. Here are several prime reasons to start enjoying winter now:

Free Skiing – No need to worry about having enough money to rent equipment, buy lunch or enjoy an après ski cocktail when the lift ticket for skiing and boarding is absolutely free, no strings attached, for Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s opening day on Nov. 26. Live music is planned at the slopeside Butte 66 throughout the day, providing a festive start to season.

All season long, Crested Butte Nordic will offer free skiing and ski gear for youth ages 17 and under, making cross-country skiing and snowshoeing attractive and affordable ways for families to enjoy mountain trails.

Power Up Ski Skills – Pig out on turkey and all the fixings, work off the calories and learn something new at Crested Butte Nordic’s annual Thanksgiving Training Camp on Nov. 27 – 29. All levels of cross-country skiers can attend with groups divided by experience and into classic and skate skiing disciplines. The camp kicks off with a refresher round robin clinic for classic skiers on Thanksgiving morning and continues with half- and full-day clinics on Nov. 28 and 29. Clinic instructors include Olympians Rebecca Dussault and Ingrid Butts.

Those who love the outdoors will appreciate “Summits of My Life – A Fine Line,” presented by Crested Butte Film Festival on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. to benefit Crested Butte Nordic. On Nov. 29, the Thanksgiving Training Camp Party and Silent Auction at the Red Room features delicious fare, libations, music and dancing at 6 p.m.

Ski mountaineering continues to gain traction but how does one go about learning this unique sport? Crested Butte’s gOCB Professional Skimo Team is presenting a solution by offering the first-ever gO Skimo Camp on Dec. 13 – 14 at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Local world-class, professional athletes and coaches Bryan Wickenhauser, Brian Smith, Jari Kirkland, Jon Brown, Sari Anderson and Stevie Kremer will work with participants on uphill, downhill and transition skills on alpine touring (AT) gear, and two forums will focus on nutrition and performance, ski-specific core workout lessons, product development, beginner and advanced racing techniques and injury prevention tips. A skimo gear swap, yoga session, winter run, skimo race and social gatherings also are part of the weekend.

Get Your Race Face On - Of the three International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) sanctioned races in the United States this season, Crested Butte is thrilled to host two events. The first is the fifth annual Irwin Guides/Griggs Orthopedics ISMF Race on Dec. 6 in nearby Irwin, a former mining town near Crested Butte. Competitors in the race division should plan on 5,000 feet of elevation gain/loss over a 10-mile, three-loop race course while the recreation division features 3,500 feet of elevation gain/loss over 6.5 miles, which includes the first two loops of the race division course. An awards party is planned for 5 p.m. at Mountaineer Square Ballroom in Mt. Crested Butte, held in conjunction with the Crested Butte Avalanche Center Awareness Party.

The Mountain Store Citizens Race Series is competitive and fun for all ages and abilities with classic and skate ski races held on Saturday mornings at scenic locations within Crested Butte Nordic’s groomed trail network. Beginning with 5 and 10 kilometer lengths in early December, race distances increase up to 20 km leading up to the 29th annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon on Feb. 7. Citizens Race dates are Dec. 13 and 20 and Jan. 10, 17 and 24.

The Gunnison-Crested Butte valley has the unique distinction of being one of the birthplaces of mountain biking and continues to push the envelope with a fat bike race series this winter that kicks off on Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. in Crested Butte’s Magic Meadows area near Peanut Lake. The series continues with a Jan. 3 race in Gunnison at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and Feb. 6 in Crested Butte in conjunction with Alley Loop. Check Facebook for more details.

Colorado: Gunnison-Crested Butte is Bicycle Heaven

It’s no secret that the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley is bike crazy. Crested Butte is one of only four communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison is one of only seven towns with silver status.

Locals have an affinity for riding cruisers, mountain bikes and road bikes and hosting all sorts of cycling events from May through September. New for this are the Gore-Tex Grand Traverse Mountain Run & Bike from Crested Butte to Aspen and the five-day Crested Butte Ultra Enduro.

September Splendor in Gunnison-Crested Butte

Gunnison County and nature have teamed up to present “September Splendor in the Rockies,” a month-long celebration featuring a full calendar of events.

The mountain ranges surrounding the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley will remind you of an artist’s autumn palette, with brushstrokes of gold, orange and crimson evident at every turn in September and early October. Known for the largest, most spectacular aspen grove in the United States, the area offers eye-popping vistas. According to one forest ranger, this part of the West Elk Historic and Scenic Byway is “the closest you can come to a wilderness experience in a passenger car.”

Or get surrounded by fall foliage on foot by hiking one of the great trails off Kebler Pass Road, mountain biking Trail 401 or one of the area’s other classic routes, and going on a trail ride through the forests with Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures or Tenderfoot Outfitters. Crested Butte Mountain Guides and Colorado Backcountry can help you hit the trail on bike or foot.

Rodeo fans rejoice! Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo and Cattlemen's Days is coming

The 110th Annual Cattlemen’s Days, granddaddy of Colorado rodeos, takes place in Gunnison from July 9 – 18.

The 10-day festival is all about celebrating Gunnison’s ranching heritage and Western spirit and will feature three Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeos and many activities, most taking place at the Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center as well as at various locations in the Gunnison community.

Through a partnership with the national “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” program, Cattlemen’s Days also is dedicated to providing local funding for breast cancer awareness, support, screenings and equipment. Since efforts began in 2006, Cattlemen’s Days has raised $278,000 and was recognized as the number one fund-raising rodeo in the U.S. at the 2008 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

And of course, Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo - the gay rodeo - will be taking place July 9-11 at the Jefforson County Fairgrounds.

Be sure to check it out and enjoy yourself some beer, goats in drag, and shirtless cowboys.

Winter fun (and special deals) in Gunnison-Crested Butte

Gunnison-Crested Butte is hitting its winter stride with a jam-packed calendar of events in February. There’s great snow, plenty of culture and outdoor fun, a Valentine’s Week full of activities, a Mardi Gras parade and gumbo cook-off, and a full moon to wrap up the month in style.

Check out February's calendar of events after the jump.

February Calendar of Events

Feb. 4: Learn to Skate Ski for Free, Crested Butte Nordic Center
5: First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison
5: Billy Jonas Family Concert, Presented by Kids Kount of the Gunnison Valley, WSC’s Webster Hall
5: “Race Across the Sky – Leadville Trail 100” Film Showing, Crested Butte Center for the Arts
6: Billy Jonas Family Concert, Presented by Kids Kount of the Gunnison Valley, CB Center for the Arts
6: 24th Annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon (1.5 K, 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K), CB Nordic Center
9: Relationship and the Law of Attraction Workshop, Gunnison & Crested Butte
11: Couples Energy Massage Class, Crested Butte
11, 14: Kids Valentine’s Chocolate Classes, Arrangements Catering & Events, Crested Butte
12: An Evening with Suzy Bogguss Concert, Crested Butte Center for the Arts
12: Romantic French Cooking Class, Arrangements Catering & Events, Crested Butte
13: “CUPS” a Play Written & Performed by Joni Sheram, Gunnison Arts Center
13: An Evening with Dan Coakley and Carter Falco Concert, Crested Butte Center for the Arts
13 – 15: Valentine’s Ski Clinic with Wendy Fisher, Crested Butte Mountain Resort
14: Valentine’s Brunch at the Magic Meadows Yurt, Crested Butte Nordic Center
16: Mardi Gras Parade & Gumbo Cook-Off, Crested Butte
17 – 21: 19th Annual U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte Mountain Resort
18: 2010 Better Foods Cooking Class, Arrangements Catering & Events, Crested Butte
19 – 20: “The Vagina Monologues,” Crested Butte Center for the Arts
20: “The Night of the Senses” (Music, Dance & More), Gunnison Arts Center
19 – 22: High Adventure Weekend: Advanced Snowboarding Camp, Adaptive Sports Center, Mt. CB
23: Crooked Still Concert, Crested Butte Center for the Arts
23: 2010 Better Foods Cooking Class, Arrangements Catering & Events, Crested Butte
25: ArtWalk Evening, Studios & Galleries in Downtown Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte
25: Tour de Forks at the Tipple House, Culinary Event Presented by Crested Butte Center for the Arts
25 – 28: Cancer Survivor Weekend for Women, Adaptive Sports Center, Mt. Crested Butte
27: Crested Butte’s Got Talent! Fundraiser for Crested Butte Center for the Arts
28: Full Moon “Dinner at the Yurt” Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Tours, Crested Butte Nordic Center
28: Moonlight Snowshoe Tours, Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Experience the West in Gunnison-Crested Butte

American Cowboy just named Gunnison-Crested Butte one of the “20 Best Places to Live the West.” American Cowboy Publisher Bill Garrels notes, “Whether you’re looking for a new place to settle or the perfect place to vacation, these communities deliver top value in the form of adventure, culture, authenticity, natural beauty and frontier history and tradition.”

Read more after the jump.


Trail Rides/Packages
Tenderfoot Outfitters and Water Wheel Inn are teaming up to offer a Western heritage ride on July 26 – 29. Spend the first evening at Water Wheel Inn, where a cowboy dinner will be served to fill your belly before riding out into the West Elk Wilderness on horseback with Tenderfoot on July 27. Spend a night at “cow camp” and learn about the Gunnison Valley’s Western heritage from historian Dr. Duane Vandenbusche over dinner. Return to Gunnison on July 28 for a tasty lunch at 5 B’s Bar-B-Q, an afternoon of exploring the Pioneer Museum and a stay at the Water Wheel Inn. The trip is limited to 10 people at a cost of $499 each, tax not included. All meals are included except dinner on the evening of July 28. Visit www.waterwheelinnatgunnison.com or call (800) 642-1650.

Another option is to take the scenic drive up Highway 135 to Crested Butte and pay a visit to Lazy F Bar Ranch, located approximately 3 miles out Brush Creek Road just south of town. Breakfast and dinner horseback rides, wagon ride dinners, and general horseback riding for any skill level are available. Winter sleigh ride dinners to a rustic 1950s cabin overlooking the East River are popular during snowy months. For more information, call (970) 641-0193 or visit www.lazyfbarranch.com.


Also check out Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures, offering horseback outings and wilderness trail rides from its stables in Almont and Mt. Crested Butte. Fantasy Ranch is well known for its trail ride from the Crested Butte area to Aspen. During winter, Fantasy Ranch offers carriage and sleigh rides in downtown Crested Butte. Contact (970) 349-5425 or visit www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com for more information.

For those who prefer a vacation by Colorado’s largest body of water, horses and their owners are welcome at Ferro’s Blue Mesa Ranch Resort in Sapinero, located on Blue Mesa Lake west of Gunnison. Horse owners pay a corral fee and feed cost for their horses, and horses and guides are available for trail rides. Call (970) 641-4671 for more information.

Dude Ranches
For unforgettable guest ranch experiences, visit Waunita Hot Springs Ranch near Gunnison and Harmel’s Ranch Resort near Almont. To reach Waunita Hot Springs Ranch, call (770) 641-1266 or visit www.waunita.com. To reach Harmel’s, call (800) 235-3402 or visit www.harmels.com.

Events
Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison, July 25 – 26, Aug. 29 – 30, Oct. 3 – 4
The Gunnison Valley Mounted Shooting Association will hold its sixth annual Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison competitions at the Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center on four weekends this summer and fall. Cowboy mounted shooting is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports today, requiring a special form of teamwork between horse and rider and blending disciplines such as reining, barrel racing and horsemanship. Using two .45 caliber single action revolvers and specially prepared ammunition, the rider must accurately shoot 10 balloon targets set in any one of 75 different patterns while controlling the speed and direction of the horse.

Cash and prizes are awarded to winners of each division, and each rider will accumulate points that go toward possibly competing at the world championships. There is no cost to watch the competitions, which typically begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. For more information, call Dennis at (970) 641-4787.

109th Annual Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days, July 10 – 19
This granddaddy of Colorado rodeos features a county fair, parade, horse show, cowboy poetry, live music and dancing, horse races, and of course rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Activities are spread throughout the 10 days of the Cattlemen’s Days festivities, with rodeos scheduled for the evenings of July 16, 17 and 18. Amateurs have the chance to compete at the Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Race for adults and youth on July 15. In addition, the Cattlemen’s Days Open Horse Show on July 12 draws participants from the Gunnison Valley and beyond.


However, the true highlight of this 109-year-old festival is the fact that it recognizes the Western way of life in the Gunnison Valley. For a brochure containing the complete schedule of Cattlemen’s Days events or for more information, contact the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 274-7580. Also, visit www.cattlemensdays.com. Tickets go on sale July 6 at the Cattlemen’s Days ticket booth located at Gunnison Bank and Trust parking lot. Tickets also can be purchased at the door. General admission is $12, and reserved grandstand is $15.

Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages
To find out more about Gunnison-Crested Butte’s calendar of events or to book personalized vacation packages, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. During summer and fall, air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.

Recognized as the “Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2008, Crested Butte is the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area’s conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails.

Gunnison, a real western town located 28 miles from Crested Butte, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, a four-year institution offering majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields. Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country’s newest national parks. Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.





4th of July fun in Gunnison

The Fourth of July is a day to salute our country and enjoy spectacular red-white-and blue fun in beautiful Gunnison-Crested. The merriment includes a firehouse pancake breakfast, one-third marathon (run, walk or crawl!), parade, great food, old-fashioned games, live music, the opening of the new adventure center at the ski base, and, of course, fireworks.

Check out the full line-up of events after the jump.


Crested Butte Fire & EMS Department Pancake Breakfast, 7 – 10 a.m.
Start out the Fourth of July on a hearty note with flapjacks prepared by Crested Butte’s volunteer fire department and emergency medical services teams. Pull up a chair at the Crested Butte Fire Station’s pump room, 3rd Street and Elk Avenue, and dig in for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. Rides in a fire truck “cherry picker” are available for a donation, and kids play with sidewalk chalk and enjoy various other activities while waiting for their breakfast. For more information and costs, contact Chris Evans at (970) 596-1132.
41st Annual Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk or Crawl 1/3 Marathon, 8 a.m.
This longtime Independence Day favorite, the Run, Walk or Crawl 1/3rd Marathon is a fundraiser that benefits the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL). The race begins at 8 a.m. in Gothic, winds through the aspen woods and meadows to Mt. Crested Butte and ends in downtown Crested Butte. Shuttle buses from Crested Butte will transport all participants to the starting line in Gothic.

Online registration and costs are available at www.Active.com. If you are not able to register online, pre-registration will be held on July 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crested Butte Visitor Center, located at Elk Avenue & Sixth Street. On the day of event, registrations will be accepted from 6 to 7 a.m. at the Visitor Center only if the cap of 500 runners has not been met. For more information, contact RMBL at (970) 349-7420 or visit www.rmbl.org.
Parade & Afternoon Fun, 11 a.m.

Expect funky, fun and good-natured laughter as people line Crested Butte’s Elk Avenue about four deep to take in the spectacle of the parade, which begins at 11 a.m.

Crested Butte Mayor Alan Bernholtz and friends are known for creating floats that wow the crowd with action such as costumed characters skiing down a water slide through a ring of fire, zooming down a zipline or flying over a dirt hill on mountain bikes. Scientists, staff and friends of Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory have built a reputation for wearing outfits created from skunk cabbage leaves. New to the parade last year was a “green” section, open only to non-motorized entries and coordinated in conjunction with the Office of Resource of Efficiency (ORE).

If getting wet isn’t your idea of fun, stay away from the first block of Elk Avenue because after the parade it turns into the Wet Zone for a big water fight. Also stick around for the food court featuring local specialties, live music and old-fashioned games like the log saw competition, pie eating contest, three-legged race, Mulay’s Sausage eating competition and more. Anyone is invited to participate, and there will be prizes for the winner of each activity. For information, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (970) 349-6438.

Patriotic Concert in the Park, 4 p.m.
The Crested Butte Music Festival (CBMF) will kick off its season, July 4 – 26, with a free Independence Day concert sponsored by Community Banks of Colorado that begins at 4 p.m. on the Crested Butte Center for the Arts’ outdoor stage. Alpen Brass will perform patriotic tunes, celebrating American musical traditions such as jazz and marches. This symphonic brass ensemble includes 12 professional brass musicians and percussionists. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. Find out more at (970) 349-0619 or www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com.




Go fishin' in Gunnison

With hundreds of miles of scenic waterways and 3 million new fish released each year from the state’s Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, Gunnison County is an excellent choice for a fishing vacation. The Gunnison River, East River, Taylor River, Blue Mesa Lake and Taylor Reservoir are among the many exceptional habitats for kokanee salmon, northern pike, and brown, rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Mackinaw trout. The people who like to fish also are well fed with a plethora of fishing events and great package deals available for this summer and fall.

Visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com for a list of outfitters and to sign up for an email newsletter about fly-fishing conditions. 


Check out a full list of fishing events after the jump.

Kiwanis/Monarch Blue Mesa Lake Fishing Tournament, May 16 – 17
Kiwanis and Monarch Search & Rescue are combining their fishing tournaments into one this year on May 16 – 17. Teams of two will start at Elk Creek Marina and angle for trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat and other). The entry fee is approximately $120 per team, with an extra cost to enter the Mackinaw trout competition. Historically, the prize has been in excess of $1,000 for first place.

In addition, the names of 10 lucky participants will be drawn on May 16 to be eligible for the grand prize drawing on May 17 sponsored by Canyon Marine. For information and a registration form visit www.GunnisonChamber.com or call Joanne Stone at (970) 641-2663 and Bruce Saunders at (970) 901-0110.

Ninth Annual Taylor Park Marina Fishing Derby, June 13
Cash prizes will be presented for longest northern pike, largest pike by weight, most pike caught, and largest trout caught in the Taylor Park Reservoir. Registration begins at 6 a.m., with eligible fishing times between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. The entry fee is $25 per person. Registration for the kids’ division is free (non-cash prizes). Everyone receives a door prize. For information, contact Taylor Park Marina at (970) 641-2922 or (719) 395-6484 or visit www.taylorparkmarina.com.

Eighth Annual Caddis Cup Fly-Fishing Tournament, July 16 – 17
Catch the biggest flopper or tell the biggest whopper during the Crested Butte Land Trust Caddis Cup fly-fishing tournament. The event will start with a casting and knot-tying clinic followed by an opening barbecue at Cement Creek Ranch, where guides are matched with competitors to plot strategy. The next morning, each pair heads into the wilds for catch-and-release fly-fishing adventures in the valley’s most prized (and secret) fishing holes. At day’s end, everyone gathers for prizes, beer and tall fish tales, all on behalf of land conservation. The event entry fee is $600. For more information, contact the Crested Butte Land Trust at (970) 349-1206.

FLY-fishing & package Deals
High Alpine Backcountry Fishing Trip
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the West Elk Wilderness on horseback as you ride into “cow camp” and fly-fish high alpine streams. This five-day, four-night excursion from July 12 - 15 includes two nights at the Water Wheel Inn in Gunnison, two nights at camp with Tenderfoot Outfooters, all breakfasts, a cowboy dinner the night off arrival, three lunches and a fly rod if needed. Free time is built in to explore and fish other areas in Gunnison County. There are only 10 spots available at a cost of $674 per person, not including taxes. For all the details, visit www.waterwheelinnatgunnison.com or call (800) 642-1650.

Fly-Fishing School
Surrounded by the Gunnison National Forest and situated at the confluence of three of Colorado’s best fishing rivers, Three Rivers Resort in Almont is the perfect getaway for fishing. Willowfly Anglers, the resort’s Orvis-endorsed outfitting service, offers its fly-fishing school for anglers of all ability levels. Participants work one-on-one with instructor guides to learn casting techniques, essential knots, stream entomology, equipment selection, reading water and more. Choose one day or multiple days. A basic package starts at $395 per person (based on two people) and includes two nights’ lodging in a modern riverfront cabin, one full day of professional fly-fishing instruction and all fishing equipment (if needed). Custom packages may be requested. Visit www.3riversresort.com or call (888) 761-FISH.

Run with the Salmon
Come and experience the country’s largest land-locked kokanee salmon run from late August to late October. At Three Rivers Resort in Almont, just 3 miles from the final salmon destination at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, utilize Willowfly Anglers, to help land the fish. When purchasing any all-day guided fishing trip in September and October, receive a 20 percent discount on lodging accommodations of two nights or more. This offer applies to Sunday – Thursday night stays only, and Labor Day weekend is excluded. Call (888) 761-FISH or go to www.3riversresort.com.

Free Flies
Stop by the Gunnison Visitor Center at 500 E. Tomichi Ave. and pick up a coupon for two free flies from Gene Taylor’s Sporting Goods, located just down the street at 201 W. Tomichi Ave. While there, book a fishing guide for area lakes and rivers.



Gunnison-Crested Butte is Number One for biking

Since the 1970s, when locals started retrofitting old Schwinn paperboy bikes with multiple gears, Crested Butte has helped write the history of mountain biking and is now home to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Today, some of the sport’s most thrilling chapters are still unfolding in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, with both classic and cutting-edge events and backcountry trails straight out of mountain and road biker fantasies.

In fact, the readers of Bike magazine named Crested Butte the Best Destination in an article about the “33 Best Rides in North America” that appeared in the March 2009 issue. Crested Butte’s Teocalli Ridge received the Best Climb nod, Deadman’s Gulch landed the Best Tight ‘N Twisty accolade, and the infamous 401 Trail received an honorable mention for Trail of the Year.

Also, riding Crested Butte was the number one item on Mountain Bike Action’s “100 Things Every Mountain Biker Needs to Do” list in the magazine’s March 2009 issue.


Lots more - including informaiton on a ton of rides - after the jump.

Biking is fully engrained in the experience of visiting and living in Gunnison-Crested Butte. Townie bikes are common forms of transportation, even in winter, and many people just park their cars as it’s easy to ride a two-wheeler to epic trails, museums, concerts, shops, restaurants and nightlife. In fact, two of the state’s biggest summer rides will be passing through, with Ride the Rockies overnighting in Gunnison on June 15, and Bicycle Tour of Colorado spending two nights and a day off in Crested Butte on June 24 and 25.

Pitch in to help local riders with trail work days organized by the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, www.cbmba.org, and Gunnison Trails, www.gunnisontrails.com, and maybe they’ll show you a favorite ride or two. To view trail reports and sign up for email trail report newsletters, visit www.coloradomountainbiking.info.
2009 biking events

April 30 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Gunnison
May 7, 14 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Gunnison
May 24 Original Growler Mountain Bike Race, Gunnison
May, June & August Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Gunnison & Crested Butte
June 6 National Trails Day – Trail Work Day with Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, Crested Butte Area
June 15 – 16 Ride the Rockies Overnight Stay in Gunnison
June 20 – 21 9th Annual Wildflower Rush Mountain States Cup Race, Mt. Crested Butte
June 24 – 26 Bicycle Tour of Colorado, Overnight Stays & Day Off in Crested Butte
June 24 – 28 29th Annual Fat Tire Bike Week, Crested Butte
June 27 – 28 Bridges of the Butte (24-hour townie tour), Crested Butte
June 27 Loco-Motive Adventure Race, Gunnison
July 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6, 13 PowerAde Pinnacle Summer Race Series, Mt. Crested Butte
Aug. 15 – 16 7th Annual 24 Hours in the Sage, Gunnison
Aug. 22 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Crested Butte or Gunnison (TBA)
Sept. 12 – 13 33rd Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, Crested Butte
Sept. 17, Oct. 8 & 29 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series

GUNNISON GROWLER MOUNTAIN BIKE Series, Gunnison, April - October
The fourth annual Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series will take place on select Thursday evenings this spring, summer and fall (April 30; May 7 and 14; Sept. 17; Oct. 8 and 29) at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area in Gunnison. A race also is tentatively being planned for Aug. 22 on the 401 trail in Crested Butte; if permits are not secured, it will be held at Hartman Rocks. This classic mountain bike race/fun ride series is for all ages and abilities with men’s and women’s divisions in four categories: single-speed open, beginner, sport and expert. The races begin at 5:45 p.m., with registration starting on-site at 4 p.m. The cost is $15 per race. Proceeds benefit Gunnison Trails. For more information, visit www.gunnisontrails.com or call Brian Riepe at (970) 641-1804.

Original growler, Gunnison, May 24
Kick off the mountain biking race season on Memorial Day weekend in Gunnison. Dave Wiens, the local racer who made big headlines last year by beating Lance Armstrong in the Leadville 100 and has plenty of other impressive victories to his name, is one of the organizers of this second annual mountain bike race so you know it has to be good. Register for the full race, which includes two 32-mile laps at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreational Area or the Half Growler to cover one lap. Each lap will climb around 4,000 vertical feet, so participants must be proficient single track riders and in good shape. The race starts at 7 a.m. and will be followed by food and fun for participants. All proceeds benefit Gunnison Trails. To register, go to www.GunnisonTrails/events/growler. The cost is $45 with a cap of 200 riders.

For people looking to really challenge their minds and bodies over the weekend, take part in the Sage Burner Trail Race, a 25K and 50K running race at Hartman Rocks on May 23, organized by Western State College at Hartman Rocks. Find out more at www.western.edu/sageburner.

9th Annual Wildflower Rush, Mt. Crested Butte, June 20 – 21
Come discover what real Crested Butte single track is all about at the 9th Annual Wildflower Rush, the fourth stop on this year’s Mountain States Cup (MSC) regional mountain bike racing series.

Held at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Mt. Crested Butte, the event begins with a Cross Country race on June 20, featuring a 10-mile course on the Butte’s legendary web of winding single track, climbing 1,800 feet per lap. A free Shimano Kids Race also will be held on Saturday. On June 21, the Crested Butte Downhill and new Super-D will give racers plenty of challenges. For more information and registration, visitwww.racemsc.com.

29th Annual Fat Tire Bike Week, Crested Butte, June 24 – 28
Voted Best Festival in Bike magazine’s third annual reader poll, Fat Tire Bike Week not only celebrates Crested Butte as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, it is the world’s oldest mountain bike festival. This year, FTBW coincides with a Bicycle Tour of Colorado visit and Bridges of the Butte, bringing road, mountain and town biking face to face in a town that embraces them all.

During FTBW festivities, local riders lead beginner, intermediate and advanced tours on Crested Butte area’s trails, and there is plenty of time to socialize at the daily expo with demo bike test rides, live music, and a beer garden and food court. The gutsy and entertaining Chainless Race down Kebler Pass is an annual favorite, and the new Fat Tire 40 mountain bike race will cover 40 miles of classic Crested Butte single track. Other highlights include a historic townie tour, cycling celebrity party, Project Rwanda benefit concert, and townie bike facelift parade. For information, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (800) 545-4505 or visit www.ftbw.com.

Bridges of the Butte, Crested Butte, June 27 - 28
This 24-hour townie bike tour takes riders on many of the bridges in downtown Crested Butte and runs from 3 p.m. on June 27 to 3 p.m. on June 28. Enter as an individual and cruise all 24 hours or enter as a team. There is no limit to team size, and costumes are encouraged but not required. This unique event benefits the Adaptive Sports Center. Registration costs $24 per participant with pre-registration preferred. Register online at www.adaptivesports.org. For information, call (970) 349-5075, ext. 107.

Loco-Motive Adventure Race, Gunnison, June 27
Team Salmon – Crested Butte has traveled the world on the adventure racing circuit and is helping the Gunnison River Festival come up with a dandy mix of kayaking the Gunnison River, running 11K and biking 25k at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreational Area, and ringing the bell to finish at Gunnison Whitewater Park. The festival runs from June 26 – 28. For more information about the Loco-Motive Adventure Race, which starts at 9 a.m., visit www.gunnisonriverfestival or call (970) 596-7094.

PowerAde Pinnacle Race Series, Mt. Crested Butte, July 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6, 13
This recreational racing series created in 1998 by Crested Butte Mountain Resort is geared toward fun and competition for beginner to expert riders split up into 12 racing categories. The races consist of varying lengths and difficulty on Mt. Crested Butte’s network of trails and single-track and take place on five Thursday evenings in July and August at 5:45 p.m. At the ski area base, a free Shimano Youth Series for kids is offered at the same time. Food, beer and prizes follow every race. For more information (970) 349-2221 or visit www.skicb as summer nears.

7th ANNUAL 24 HOURS IN THE SAGE, Gunnison, August 15 – 16
Gunnison’s Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area is the backdrop for a 24-hour relay bike race where individual entrants and teams ride a 13-mile loop continuously from noon Saturday, Aug. 15 to noon Sunday, Aug. 16. The person/team in each category with the most laps wins. A 12-hour race that starts at midnight and finishes at noon also is offered. Additional highlights for the weekend include live entertainment, the World Townie Championships (with entrants riding single-speed bikes with mandatory fenders and either horns or fuzzy seat covers) and more. The event typically attracts approximately 200 racers, with proceeds benefiting community projects in Gunnison. To register or for more information, contact (303) 507-1148 or visit www.24hoursinthesage.com.

33rd ANNUAL PEARL PASS MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR, Crested Butte to Aspen, Sept. 12 – 13
The 33rd annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, the oldest mountain bike event in the world, runs from Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass on Sept. 12 – 13. In 1976, the first group of 15 or 20 cyclists from the Butte rode one-speed town bikes over the 12,705-foot Pearl Pass to Aspen in response to a group of Aspenites riding their motorcycles over Pearl Pass and parking them in front of the old Grubstake Saloon (now the Brick Oven) in Crested Butte. The Crested Butte rowdies pulled up in downtown Aspen in front of the historic Hotel Jerome upon arrival. By the early 1980s, the expert ride had grown and become a weeklong event known as Fat Tire Bike Week. Today, Fat Tire Bike Week is held in June and the Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour is in September to honor the origins of mountain biking in Crested Butte. For information, call (970) 349-6817 or visit www.mtnbikehalloffame.com.


Great summer deals in Gunnison-Crested Butte

Authentic, unspoiled, unpretentious and reasonably priced are terms not often associated with today’s glitzy mountain destinations. But the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley is a place where those terms still apply, where you can still find real Western heritage; friendly locals; unspoiled natural beauty; and locally-owned shops and restaurants that are one of a kind.

Several of the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association’s lodging, outfitting, festival and restaurant partners make it affordable and easy to visit with vacation packages for summer. These packages are booked directly with these lodging partners so that guests receive the best deals available. Visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com for more details.

Gunnison is for guys

Guys can give it all they’ve got or take a more laidback approach when visiting Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colo., this spring. Consider these 10 reasons why guys can unplug and recharge in this sportsmen’s paradise, located in the heart of the Rockies in southwest Colorado, and why they’ll keep coming back for more.

See 'em all after the jump.


1. The skiing & snowboarding rock
Inspire your passion for adventure on Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s legendary extreme terrain or get your fill on beginner to advanced slopes that cover 1,167 acres and include 121 trails. Try some tricks at the new intermediate terrain park or on the legendary superpipe and the latest features at the DC Terrain Park. Watch some of the most daring skiers on the planet at the U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships on Feb. 18 – 22 and U. S. Extreme Freeskiing Telemark Championships on March 19 - 21. Visit www.skicb.com.

2. Après ski is hot (and cool!)
Some of the hottest places to stop for a drink and some food mid-mountain are the Ice Bar & Restaurant and Paradise Warming House. At the base, look no further than the club-like feel of Trackers Bar & Lounge in the Lodge at Mountaineer Square, the New-York hip style of the new django’s in the Mountaineer Square Courtyard and the fun-loving Butte 66, which overlooks to slopes. At the Ice Bar, ski up to a bar made of ice and order a drink from bartenders wearing fur coats and hats. If you’re lucky, you might get a drink served in a shot glass made of ice. If java is more your style, go to Camp 4 Coffee at the top of the Painter Boy lift and sit in the log chairs outside for great people watching or fill up at their location across from django’s in the courtyard.

3. Catching air … on a snowmobile
If gathering speed on a motorized sled is more your style, explore more than 55 miles of groomed and marked trails and 170 miles of single-track in Gunnison-Crested Butte. For the advanced snowmobiler, try riding the area’s bottomless powder fields, many at 10,000 feet or higher. To check trail reports, visit www.coloradosledcity.com. For equipment and tours, check with Snowmobiling Action Adventures, www.actionadventures.com.

4. Kick it into gear on 95K groomed Nordic trails
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley is emerging as a Nordic skiing and snowshoeing hotspot. Groomed Nordic trails now number more than 95K, backcountry routes are plentiful, and a full calendar of tours and races offer opportunities to get one of the best workouts on the planet. Visit the www.cbnordic.org and www.gunnisonnordic.net for more information.

5. Head to the backcountry
Local experts who know the backcountry like the back of their hands can show you premiere spots for off-piste alpine and telemark skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. The Crested Butte Nordic Center, www.cbnordic.org, offers half- or full-day backcountry tours on snowshoes or Nordic skis, with all tours including transportation, rentals and a guide. Crested Butte Mountain Guides, www.crestedbutteguides.com, not only offers Nordic skiing and snowshoeing adventures in the backcountry, this well-known outfitter offers one-day and overnight trips to alpine ski or ride the powder in out-of-the-way places.

6. Take to the huts
Exploring the backcountry and staying in huts along the way is the ideal way to go on longer backcountry tours. The Nordic Center books reservations for Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory’s Maroon Hut and Forest Queen Hut, both located in the historic mining town of Gothic. Other backcountry hut options are the Elkton Cabins, call (970) 349-1815, and the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association’s Friends Hut, visit www.huts.org.

7. Going to the dogs
There is nothing quite like the freedom of being pulled by a team of dogs in the thick of stunning mountain terrain capped with snow. Dog sledding with Lucky Cat Dog Farm is one of those lifetime experiences not to be missed. Visit www.luckycatdogfarm.com for details.

8. Hit the ice for hockey
Gunnison County residents, young and old, take their hockey seriously. Jump in on a pickup hockey game at the new indoor hockey rink in Gunnison, which next to a covered open rink in Jorgensen Park, or the outdoor rink at the Crested Butte Nordic Center. For more information, call Gunnison Parks & Recreation at (970) 641-8060 and Crested Butte Parks & Recreation at (970) 349-5338.

9. Drop a line in Blue Mesa Reservoir
Colorado’s largest body of water, Blue Mesa Reservoir, is located west of Gunnison and known as a place where record-breaking fish are landed. A record 50-pound mackinaw trout was caught in May 2007. Local fishing outfitters can steer you to prime ice fishing spots that will light up a winter day.

10. Cap it off with local brews & great wines
Colorado is one of the nation’s microbrew hot spots, and Gunnison-Crested Butte is no exception. Go microbrewery hopping at The Eldo in downtown Crested Butte and Gunnison Brewery in downtown Gunnison for some suds and a bite to eat. Look for large wine lists at django’s in Mt. Crested Butte, Timberline Restaurant and Maxwell’s Steakhouse in Crested Butte, and Brick Cellar in Gunnison.



With 13 inches of snow this weekend, now might be a good time to check out Gunnison-Crested Butte

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, located in southwest Colorado, is emerging as a Nordic skiing and snowshoeing hotspot. Groomed Nordic trails now number more than 95K, backcountry routes are plentiful, and a full calendar of events, tours and races offer opportunities to have fun and stay in shape.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dec. 4 Learn to Skate Ski for Free! Clinic, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Dec. 6 Citizens’ Race - 10K Classic, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Dec. 12 Moonlight Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Dec. 12 Full Moon “Dessert at the Yurt” Ski & Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Dec. 13 Citizens’ Race – 10 K Skate, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Dec. 20 Citizens’ Race – 15K Skiathlon, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Jan. 1 Learn to Skate Ski for Free! Clinic, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Jan. 10 Citizens’ Race – 20K Classic, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Jan. 10 Full Moon “Dessert at the Yurt” Ski & Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Jan. 10 Moonlight Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Jan. 17 Citizens’ Race – 20K Skate, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Jan. 24 Kenny Mac Ski Fest, Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area, Gunnison
Jan 31 23rd Annual Alley Loop (1.5 K, 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K, 42K), Starts on Elk Avenue
Feb. 5 Learn to Skate Ski for Free! Clinic, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Feb. 9 Moonlight Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Feb. 9 Full Moon “Dessert at the Yurt” Ski & Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Nordic Center
Feb. 14 The 50K Classic, Crested Butte Nordic Center
March 5 Learn to Skate Ski for Free! Clinic, Crested Butte Nordic Center
March 7 Super Tour (22.5K backcountry ski event), Crested Butte
March 10 Full Moon “Dessert at the Yurt” Ski & Snowshoe Tour, Crested Butte Nordic Center
March 21 Progressive Bonfire Dinner on skis or snowshoes, Crested Butte Town Ranch