Skiing The Butte

Snowmaking aided by grant at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Photo by Rob Pennie.

Guests to CBMR also will note increased snowmaking capabilities resulting in earlier terrain openings and a better late season base. Increased snowmaking at the base area will allow for Peachtree beginners lift and the Camp CB teaching area and magic carpets to open on the first day of the season. CBMR will also be making good use of its 10 new high-efficiency snowmaking guns courtesy of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) and Massachusetts-based snowmaking equipment manufacturer Snow Economics/HKD Snowmakers.

Video: Butt skiing in Crested Butte

Butt skiing.  I used this technique a lot on February's ski trip.  It's encouraged by the rental shops as it reduces the wear and tear on the skis.  This particular example takes place near the top of International:

  

We'll have more videos of the runs to follow but viewer discretion is advised.  The "videographer" was only on his third ski trip and so many, many skiers will be offended by his technique and complete lack of prowess - particularly when he has a go at his first double black diamond...

Shot using a V.I.O. POV.1.5 - not that they'll be pleased to hear that...

CBMR adding some higher end intermediate terrain for 2010/2011

Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is adding some upper level intermediate terrain for the 2010/2011 season. Horseshoe Springs is an existing expert gladed trail that is located in the middle of the Crested Butte Mountain Resort ski area directly below Yellow Brick Road, next to upper park area (skiers right), and above the unload area at the top of Teocalli Lift.

Thinning of trees and pole saw cutting branches ("raising the skirts") has been the mountain team's focus to open up the tight lines it previously offered and allow for wider turns with more options to navigate the run. It won't be a groomed trail and the pitch of this area will still dictate it to remain a black run. But CBMR hopes it will be an area that a higher end intermediate will be able to get a feel for some more open tree skiing.

Chris Corliss, CMBR's mountain manager says the aim is "to enhance skiing and riding here that will allow for upper level intermediates to enjoy this unique terrain."

A touch of winter in August in Crested Butte

Photographer Rob Pennie got this shot of the season’s first snow – a dusting at the tip-tops of the highest peaks – around Crested Butte this morning. Penni took this photo from Crested Butte South looking toward Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

2010-2011 Winter Season Air Service to Crested Butte/Gunnison

Direct, non-stop flights to Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport make winter travel easy


Access to Crested Butte this winter is quick and easy thanks to direct, non-stop flights into the Gunnison/Crested Butte (GUC) Airport from several major cities across the U.S. Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) announces air service for the 2010-2011 winter season from three major carriers, including Continental Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines with flights from Houston (IAH) Denver (DEN). Through each carrier’s extensive flight network guests can get to Crested Butte from anywhere in the world.

CBMR HONORED BY NSAA FOR BEST MARKETING AND GUEST SERVICE PROGRAMS IN 2009-2010

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), the trade association for ski area owners and operators, has recognized Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) with its Overall Best Marketing Program and Overall Best Guest Service Program awards for 2009/2010 in the 250,000 to 500,000 skier visits category. CBMR is one of only three resorts to ever win both overall awards in the same year.

“This recognition is an honor and a meaningful tribute to the dedication and hard work of our team,” said Ken Stone, chief operating officer of CBMR. “The awards validate the effectiveness of our marketing programs and recognize the higher level of guest service we have been striving for,” he added. “We all have something to be very proud of.”

Representing 329 alpine resorts that account for more than 90 percent of ski and snowboard visits worldwide, the NSAA recognizes resorts annually for exceptional marketing and guest service efforts. The NSAA Marketing and Guest Service Awards recognize ski area programs that can be quantified. The Marketing Awards recognize the best in ski area marketing campaigns that record impressive results, while the Guest Service Awards reward high-quality resort customer service programs that have had a positive impact on the guests’ level of satisfaction. This year marks the 11th year for the NSAA Marketing Awards and the 6th year for the NSAA Guest Service Awards.

4th night free for epic conditions on Crested Butte

4th night in our ski in, ski out condo is now free until the end of the season - - plus we offer a 10% discount for direct bookings. Conditions are epic in Crested Butte, with 27 inches of snow falling in just the last seven days. Four inches of snow has fallen in the last 48 hours, and 10 inches in the last 3 days. Our total snowfall for this season is 188 inches- that's over 15 feet of snow! Currently, conditions on the mountain are powder and packed powder and there are 1144 acres of open terrain for you to explore.

Griffin Post Wins Extremes In Crested Butte

Griffin Post just won the Subaru US Extreme Freeskiing Championships in Crested Butte. Post notched a pair of 47-point runs (on a 50-point scale) to edge defending champion Cliff Bennett by eight-tenths of a point, reports espn.com.

After Crested Butte received nearly 30 inches of snow in two days, conditions that turned what is normally a mine field into a foam pit. Sick Bird winner and fourth-place finisher Mark Filippini took full advantage, sticking a pair of 50-foot-plus drops into tight trees; others threw back flips and front flips off the famous Cheeseburger rock. Matt Luczkow slowly spun a 360 off a 30-footer.

"With the way the snow is, as they say, go big or go home," Filippini said.

An avalanche warning remained in effect for the surrounding Crested Butte backcountry, and CB patrollers threw more than 350 pounds of dynamite to control the resort's famed Extreme Limits terrain on Saturday alone.

"I've never skied an event like this," said Matt Luczkow, who finished 14th. "Nothing even close."

Full story at espn.com

100 Inches For Crested Butte

Crested Butte Mountain Resort has reached the milestone of 100 inches of cumulative snow with the arrival of the second major winter storm in a week.  In the past seven days, the resort has received over a half of a foot of snow, and weather reports indicate the possibility of at least ten more inches of snow falling over the course of the weekend.  The snow adds to a variety of exciting events on Saturday and Sunday, including the grand opening of the DC Superpipe and the first USSA sanctioned Rocky Mountain Division Junior race series of the season.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Appeals Snodgrass Decision

On December 18, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) filed an appeal with the U.S. Forest Service disputing the agency’s decision last month to reject the resort’s proposed expansion onto Snodgrass Mountain without conducting a public review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The proposed Snodgrass expansion is critical for the long-term viability of CBMR and the economic health of the East River Valley in Gunnison County says CBMR. The proposed expansion would increase the amount of intermediate and advanced terrain at CBMR with 276 acres of skiing served by three lifts, a beginner carpet and a connector gondola from Crested Butte Mountain. Snodgrass Mountain is located adjacent to Crested Butte Mountain.