| Crested Butte (Mar-Apr 09) |
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| Written by Kristin N. Miller | ||||
Page 1 of 2 Some places are simply special—striking visitors the moment they experience them for the first time and leaving a lasting impression. The mountain town of Crested Butte is just like that—a hidden jewel nestled in the crown of the rugged Rockies.
 Exuding a rare mix of stunning, undisturbed natural beauty, intriguing history and full-throttle adventure, the 128-year old town is Colorado’s eighth largest National Historic District. In addition to its honor as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is widely known for its supreme alpine skiing and extraordinary mountain biking as well as an infectious energy, vibrant charm and easy-going lifestyle. The town is eclectic and full of playful, adventure-loving residents who whole-heartedly thrive on the ample opportunities for outdoor fun. Visitors flock to the area in the winter for the excellent Nordic skiing (both backcountry and groomed trails), and Crested Butte Mountain Resort boasts some of Colorado’s best corduroy on more than 1,000 acres of varied terrain. In the summer, the area is home to some of the best fishing, hiking and mountain biking in the state. Unlike many of Colorado’s “day tripper” mountain towns however, Crested Butte is a destination resort that is well-suited as a long weekend or week-long vacation. But then after experiencing its rugged beauty, genuinely friendly locals and luxuriously civilized dining and culture, you may just want to stay a while. WHAT TO DOIf it equates to outdoor adventure, it’s available for the taking in this breathtakingly beautiful mountain town that is hailed by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the “50 Best Adventure Towns.” Winter months mean alpine skiing, boarding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice hockey, ice skating, tubing and sledding, dog sledding and snowmobiling in addition to a thriving arts scene, culinary experiences and wellness at local spas. And chances are, the extremely active, super fit locals have done all of that (and more) in one season! Summer brings superior mountain biking, road biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hunting, boating, hiking, trail running, fishing, scenic drives, golf, hot air ballooning, rock climbing and plentiful wildlife viewing. Additionally, CB’s historic downtown area is a shopper’s and treasure seeker’s haven with charming streets lined with an assortment of boutiques and galleries. REAL ESTATEFor a long time, Crested Butte has remained a quiet secluded mountain town avoiding the spotlight that usually shines on other infamous celebrity-studded ski towns such as Aspen, Vail and Telluride. It was only a matter of time however before the secret was out about what an amazing place Crested Butte is to live. Having received accolades such as Sunset magazine’s “10 Dream Towns” and Outside magazine’s “10 Best Towns in America,” CB is quickly becoming one of the hottest places to live in Colorado. Lavish homes and luxury condominiums abound for those seeking to own a piece of the pie. WEST WALL LODGE, MT. CRESTED BUTTE WILDHORSE AT PROSPECT BY EAGLE RESORT DEVELOPMENT NEVADA RIDGE AT MT. CRESTED BUTTE RED LADY REALTY COLDWELL BANKER BIGHORN REALTY |