Crested Butte
The wildflower capital of Colorado and the birthplace of mountain biking, set in the Elk Mountains — a colorful Victorian downtown surrounded by alpine basins.
- Altitude
- 2,705 m
- Coordinates
- 38.870°, -106.988°
Current Weather
Crested Butte is officially designated the Wildflower Capital of Colorado by the state legislature, and the surrounding Elk Mountain wildflower bloom in July is among the most spectacular alpine flower displays in North America. The town is also widely credited as the birthplace of modern mountain biking — the first ride from Crested Butte to Aspen over Pearl Pass in 1976 helped launch the sport. The downtown core is a National Historic District of brightly painted Victorian buildings, with a tight-knit community known for festivals (Wildflower Festival, Vinotok, Big Air on Elk Avenue). Mount Crested Butte (the resort, 3 miles uphill) is famous for steep extreme skiing terrain. Summer access to the West Elks, the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness, and Kebler Pass aspen groves makes this one of Colorado's signature mountain towns.