When it comes down to it, ski vacations are a lot more than just having good snow and the right terrain. They're still a time to get away from it all. After a long day on the mountain, where you spend your time off of it is just as important. Your hotel, restaurants and activities have to fit your tastes, and Crested Butte has something for everyone. Here are two completely different ways to do CB.
Luxurious:
Check into a suite at the Elevation Hotel and Spa, Crested Butte’s most luxurious mountainside resort. In the morning wake to Mt. (or Miss, shall we say?) Crested Butte, beckoning from outside. The Red Lady Express chair loads from your doorstep, providing access to the best casual terrain on the mountain. Après morning turns, lunch on duck sausage and fontina on the sun-patio of the Elevation’s own, 9380 Prime. Post-lunch, ski off the martini in the afternoon sun at Paradise Bowl whilst absorbing views of the surrounding Elk Mountains.
When the legs go, shed the ski garments till nude, don a robe and slippers and doze off at the plush Elevation Spa – a world-class, 11,000 square-foot house of “blissful indulgence.” Arise anew, then, tranquil and in time to sup at Soupcon, an adorable French-American bistro hidden among the snowy, lamp lit streets of Crested Butte village (a convenient shuttle ride, down the hill from the resort). Dinner at Soupcon is the mountain-dining affair you seek, surely – local, thoughtful food, wines, and an ambience to dream to. Seared elk tenderloin, oui? After a day like this, you shall sleep.
Charming:
The Ruby is a classic B&B, hospitality-haven in downtown Crested Butte. In the mornings, enjoy fresh cinnamon rolls from the oven; the breakfast is famous, intended to impart, as the owner says, “a wellspring of peace and pleasure.” This is good, this what your CB stay is all about. Take an empty, restful mind (thank you Ruby breakfast!) to the slopes and massage it further with some soulful turns. Get into the beautiful back-bowls, Phoenix and Spellbound, if there’s fresh snow. For lunch, go to the Ice Bar at the base of Twister lift – the food is delicious American cuisine and the bar, made of ice of course, serves a variety of exotic drinks until sundown.
Ski some more after lunch, then catch the shuttle back to the Ruby. No time to rest! Put on your yoga pants, walk a few blocks to Yoga for the Peaceful (yogaforthepeaceful.org), and continue to enjoy the Pranic “wellspring“ that commenced with your morning cinnamon roll. By the time you’re in savasana, you should be flying. So float down the street to Ginger, a beautiful, intimate Thai and Indian restaurant (mango cheesecake to finish).
And then, for some culminating peace and pleasure, catch a play or live music at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts (crestedbuttearts.org) before retiring to the sweet comforts of your mountain B&B.
Photos courtesy of (from top to bottom): Ben Klaus; Soupcon; Crested Butte Center for the Arts
