Learn More about Crested Butte

 Crested Butte is a mountain-lovers dream. The town’s total area covers less than 1 square mile and provides a quaint small-town community for locals and visitors alike. Since the original settling of Crested Butte in the late 1800’s, the year-round town population has near doubled in size. Approximately 1,600 people call beautiful Crested Butte their home and find things to do in the area at all times of the year. Of course, Crested Butte is known for its epic skiing and snow-covered mountains, but a plethora of outdoor summer activities and beautiful surroundings make it a perennial paradise.

Miles from Gunnison Regional Airport

year round population in crested butte

Avg. High Temp during july (warmest month)

Town of Crested Butte Elevation (in feet)

miles of mountain bike trails

Avg. Snowfall per year

Area Overview

finding a neighborhood

When people look at buying in Crested Butte, they often think of being in town or near the ski area. However, if you look deeper, there are many different neighborhoods and subdivisions to consider. Each with unique benefits and amazing views. Whether you want a small ski condo, a home close to town but off the beaten path, or a 35-acre ranchette, there really is something for everyone.

The Town of Crested Butte is an 8 block by 8 block area that is entirely a historic district. This is where the majority of our restaurants & stores are. The Town of Mt. Crested Butte is where the ski area and the base area are with ski shops, restaurants, and condos. Crested Butte South is located 7 miles south of town and is known for its single-family homes, family-friendly atmosphere and growing commercial district. There are many other areas close to town that offer stunning opportunities to own mountain retreats and acreage. The City of Gunnison is home to Western State Colorado University, Gunnison Valley Hospital and the Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport. Take a look at our interactive map here. There are some amazing investment opportunities in the Crested Butte area. It’s important to have a local real estate expert to guide you through the process and help you find your perfect Crested Butte property so you can become a part of our special community.

As you explore real estate in the Crested Butte area, it may be difficult to narrow in on the area, type of property or price range that is right for you. Some areas are better for vacation rental income then others. Some will allow you to keep your horses and some will not. With condos available from small studios to 4 bedroom, 2,000+ square foot condominiums and land for sale that is smaller than ¼ acre to 90 acre+ ranches, there is a lot to consider.

Crested Butte

The Town of Crested Butte is an 8 by 8 block area that is entirely a historic district, and offers many unique and interesting real estate opportunities including vacant land parcels, condominiums, duplexes, single family homes, and commercial property. Many folks purchasing property in the Crested Butte area prefer being “In Town,” for convenience and close proximity to the schools, grocery store, movie theater, shops and restaurants. One can easily walk or bike around town to access almost all services and amenities available. Free transportation to the ski area is available on the Mountain Express bus system, providing service every fifteen minutes during the busy seasons.

Here are a few great websites that will give you more information about things to do and see in the Crested Butte area:

Mt Crested Butte

The town of Mt. Crested Butte is located 2 miles from Crested Butte and is the home of Crested Butte Mountain Resort which is the ski area. The base area boasts a number of shops and restaurants as well as a year-round zipline course, mini golf course and kids adventure park with a climbing wall, bungy trampoline and new outdoor music playground. The shuttle from the town of Crested Butte stops right in the center of the base area and there are several “condo loop” buses that access areas beyond the center.

As you might expect, there are a number of condominiums in Mt. Crested Butte in complexes both large (over 50 units) and small (as few as 4 units). The ski area was started in the 1960’s and many of the complexes were built in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. These vary in how much they have been updated since they were built – both the buildings overall and the individual condos. There are also many newer complexes with modern layouts, finishes and amenities. When considering a condominium purchase in Mt. Crested Butte you will want to look at proximity to the slopes, amenities available in the complex and the association dues which can range from $150 per month to over $1,000 per month.

Mt. Crested Butte also has single family homes which dot the mountain beyond the base area. There is a large variety here as well from small 1970’s homes with 1,500 square feet up to brand new 6,000 square foot homes. Homes that are on the bus route are limited, but the homeowner’s trail allows for skiing access to many areas even if they aren’t exactly ski-in, ski-out. The newest area of Mt. Crested Butte is Prospect which opened up a ski-in, ski-out area of 1 acre homesites as well as the Wildhorse at Prospect managed community.

You can get more information about Mt Crested Butte at the following websites:

CB South

CB South is located about seven miles south of Crested Butte, and is a bedroom community with single family homes, duplexes, and condominiums, largely owned by locals. The addition of a few commercial establishments including a general store, restaurant, liquor store, pre-school, coffee shop, and summertime nursery have added a few conveniences for the residents of CB South. Other amenities include a community park, hockey rink, and new fire station.

Real estate opportunities in CB South include vacant land homesites, single family homes, duplex residences, condominiums, and commercial land in the Pioneer Plaza. Both new construction and re-sale residential properties are available. Given its location away from town and the ski area, real estate in CB South is less expensive and can provide a great opportunity for locals to own their home or for people living elsewhere to have a property in the area.

The commercial area has many available lots that have not been developed, but currently has a General Store, Tully’s Restaurant, Little Red Schoolhouse preschool, storage units, Red Mountain Liquor Store, Camp 4 Coffee and Alpengardener Nursery. These businesses are wonderful to have in the neighborhood because they make it so you don’t need to leave to get the basics taken care of.

Neighborhoods Close to Town:

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Meridian Lake

Meridian Lake Park and Meridian Lake Meadows, collectively known as the Meridian Lake area, are located about one mile south and west of Mt. Crested Butte. The Meadows subdivision is newer, and the lots there are considerably larger than in the older area. Its location offers some of the most beautiful views of Crested Butte Mountain from anywhere in the valley. Just recently, the residents of Meridian Lake passed an issue to pave the county access road and the subdivision roads within the neighborhood. In addition, an upgraded utility system was installed, providing natural gas and cable television services.

The neighborhood consists largely of single family homes, with a few duplexes mixed in. There are still some undeveloped vacant lots in both subdivisions. Real Estate opportunities here are re-sales of single family homes, and vacant land homesites.

Glacier Lily & Saddle Ridge

These small subdivisions are perched just off the road near the turn to Washington Gulch. Glacier Lily has been around for a long time and properties there are just over 1 acre. Saddle Ridge is a relatively new subdivision with only one home built there. The lots there are just over 2 acres and look a bit more towards town then those at Glacier Lily. Other than a couple of homes that are not in a subdivision, there aren’t many properties with this aspect & view so Glacier Lily and Saddle Ridge offer a limited and unique location.

Moon Ridge

Moon Ridge is an exclusive subdivision with a unique perspective. With only 9 lots and the only residential development at the bottom of the hill between Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte you would be hard pressed to find a better location. The recreation path between the two towns crosses Moon Ridge Lane and makes it very easy to get places without your car if that is important to you. The views of town as well as down the valley towards Gunnison are vast and impressive.

Skyland, Rivergreen, Silver Sage

Skyland is located about two miles south of the Town of Crested Butte, and is home to the Club at Crested Butte, a country club facility featuring a Robert Trent Jones designed golf course, and a year round tennis facility. The clubhouse facility includes the golf pro-shop, a restaurant and bar, an exercise and spa facility, and large year round swimming pool. Real Estate opportunities in Skyland include vacant land homesites, single family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and condominiums. This upscale area incorporates strict design guidelines and protective covenants, giving a consistent appearance to the developed properties in the community. The relatively new “Back Nine” development consists of single family homesites near the back nine of the golf course, and nearly every parcel offers outstanding

views of the surrounding mountains, the golf course, and Town. Many unsold parcels and re-sale parcels are still available.

Buckhorn

A unique 280 acre ranch subdivision is located just south of Crested Butte. The ranch is surrounded by 13,000 foot mountain peaks, and includes a beautiful four acre lake for unmotorized boating. Also featured is a private 4,000 foot paved runway, which allows owners to park their plane on their own property. There are some lots that have access to the East River and fishing.

Larkspur

The Larkspur Community Association is a community of single family homes and multi-family structures along Brush Creek Road in Crested Butte, CO. Larkspur has paved streets, a tennis court and a man-made lake; the subdivision has small lots but beautiful single family homes. The HOA board and two sub-committees work closely together to lead and maintain the community. The views of the surrounding mountains are spectacular.

Outlying Areas: 35 acre parcels

Rural Crested Butte consists of several ranch type properties, individual multi-acreage tracts, and several developments of individual 35 acre parcels. These outlying areas offer acreage, animal rights, fishing rights, privacy & seclusion, incredible views, and lots of open space. As you may expect, in general the prices for these properties increase the closer you get to Crested Butte.

Roaring Judy Ranch
Roaring Judy Ranch is located across the highway from the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery and is off the Jack’s Cabin Cutoff to Taylor Canyon. There is still a working ranch in the valley bottom and the property has everything from pasture land to sagebrush to aspen groves. Because of the distance from Crested Butte (about 10 miles to the turn off), the prices are generally lowest

here as compared with other 35 acre developments between here and town.

The Danni Ranch
Located about 12 miles south of Crested Butte, just off Hwy 135. This development consists of 19 thirty-five plus acre parcels, most offering spectacular views of the surrounding vistas. Owners within Danni Ranch have private fishing rights and access to the East River, for some of the best trout fishing in Colorado.
Reserve on the East River
Located about 11 miles south of Crested Butte, just off Hwy 135. If you desire privacy and like fishing, this is the place for you. Over twenty parcels of 35 acres or more, all with private fishing rights on the East River. World Class trout fishing, along with full-time on-site management, and a guest lodge, make this development unique and special.
Red Mountain Ranch
Located about 10 miles south of Crested Butte, via Hwy 135. This development consists of 25 treed parcels of thirty-five or more acres, all offering the privacy and seclusion desired from a much larger parcel. Many of the parcels offer spectacular views towards Crested Butte Mountain, while several offer other views of the surrounding vistas. Bring the horses!
Crested Butte Meadows, Crested Butte Highlands, The Ridge
These properties are located in the hills above CB South. Located on the hillside above CB South, properties in Crested Butte Meadows (CB Meadows) and Crested Butte Highlands (The Highlands) provide spectacular views up and down the valley. The area is mostly sagebrush with groves of aspen trees scattered throughout.
Hidden River Ranch
Hidden River is made up of 17 parcels that are each around 5 acres. There is 160 acres of common pasture land which provides a barrier between Highway 135 and the homesites which are perched above the East River. This common area can be used to keep horses within certain parameters
East River Ranches
Located only 5 miles south of Town, East River Ranches is a small collection of 35 acres parcels, located on the East River. Each parcel offers privacy and seclusion, and has private fishing rights on the East River.
Whetstone Mountain Ranch
Located about 2 miles south of Town, this newer development consists of eight 35 acre parcels, all with easy access to Town, and the Golf Course.
Trappers Crossing
Located about 2 miles west of Town via Kebler Pass Road. This development consists several 35 acre tracts, all treed with pine, spruce, or aspen. Many of the parcels offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains from the
building envelope. Consider this development for views and easy access to Town
Saddle Ridge
Perched high on a south-facing hillside 1 mile between Crested Butte and the ski resort, Saddle Ridge Ranches have some of the most awe-inspiring views around and are divided into 18 two to three acre estate lots parcels to build your dream home on. There is 70 acres of open space with trails & a private horse barn with 18 stalls for the owner’s use. Saddle Ridge Ranch is the entry to the Lupine Trail, a coveted local favorite
Glacier Lily
Glacier Lily Estates is located at the intersection of Gothic Road and Washington Gulch Road just south of the ski area. There are 36 acres in this subdivision divided into 20 individual homesites and very few lots are left and all lots are over one acre. Glacier Lily Estates has stringent covenants which protects the homeowner as it ensures a high quality development. All utilities are installed underground.
Irwin
The elevation of Irwin is 10,197 feet and it was founded in 1880. Irwin is nine miles west of Crested Butte and silver was discovered in 1879 and within six months, the town grew from 50 to 5000. Irwin was a busy place with hotels, sawmills, stores, churches, stamp mills and many dance halls and saloons. Today, many people have made Irwin their primary residence although it does only have seasonal access. In winter, you can have guided back country cat skiing tours through the Irwin Group. In the summer Irwin Guides creates custom-designed guided experiences. There is a beautiful lake that many people visit or camp next to in the summer.

Gunnison

The City of Gunnison is home to Western State Colorado University, Gunnison Valley Hospital, and Gunnison Crested Butte Airport. It was almost the capital of Colorado and has a personality that is separate and different from its smaller sister to the north. The city itself offers a wonderful variety of shops – from small boutiques to Walmart – and an increasing number of good restaurants as well as a thriving arts scene. The area surrounding Gunnison offers rolling pastures, hills of sagebrush and world

class fishing from beautiful riverfront properties. The town of Almont is between Gunnison and Crested Butte and is where the Taylor River comes together with the Slate River to create the Gunnison River. The Ohio River Valley winds its way from Highway 135 up to meet Kebler Pass and offers everything from small ranchettes to large working ranches to wilderness properties that are only accessible seasonally. With lots to offer and only a short distance from Crested Butte, the Gunnison area may be the perfect place for your Colorado home.

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