Telluride vs Crested Butte
Telluride has more vertical (4,425 ft vs 2,787 ft); Telluride has more skiable terrain (2,000 acres vs 1,547 acres); Telluride has more snow in an average season (309 in. vs 233 in.). Both are on the Epic Pass. Snow usually peaks in January at both.
The mountains
| Telluride | Crested Butte | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | Colorado Rockies | Colorado Rockies |
| Vertical drop | 4,425 ft | 2,787 ft |
| Summit | 13,150 ft | 12,162 ft |
| Base | 8,725 ft | 9,375 ft |
| Skiable acres | 2,000 | 1,547 |
| Trails | 148 | 121 |
| Lifts | 19 | 15 |
| Average snowfall | 309 in. | 233 in. |
| Pass | Epic | Epic |
| Usual season | Nov 26 – Apr 5 | Nov 26 – Apr 5 |
| Fly into | MTJ, TEX, DEN | GUC, DEN |
Resort statistics are approximate and change year to year.
Month by month
Typical snowfall, crowds and trip prices (flights and lodging against each resort's yearly average).
| Month | Snow | Crowds | Trip price |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 37 / 28 in. | Moderate / Moderate | -17% / -17% |
| December | 53 / 40 in. | Very busy / Very busy | +19% / +19% |
| January | 53 / 40 in. | Very busy / Very busy | +18% / +18% |
| February | 49 / 37 in. | Packed / Packed | +22% / +22% |
| March | 53 / 40 in. | Packed / Packed | +33% / +33% |
| April | 37 / 28 in. | Moderate / Moderate | -6% / -6% |
Pairs read Telluride / Crested Butte.
This week
- TellurideOpens ~Nov 22
- Crested ButteOpens ~Nov 22
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's snow model, updated Oct 3, 19:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Good to know
- Telluride: Free gondola connects the town and Mountain Village.
- Telluride: Remote: Montrose (MTJ) is 65 miles away.
- Crested Butte: Steep extreme terrain; small, uncrowded town.
- Crested Butte: Gunnison (GUC) is 30 miles away.
Questions
- Is Telluride or Crested Butte better?
- Telluride has more vertical (4,425 ft vs 2,787 ft); Telluride has more skiable terrain (2,000 acres vs 1,547 acres); Telluride has more snow in an average season (309 in. vs 233 in.). Both are on the Epic Pass. Snow usually peaks in January at both.
- Which is less crowded, Telluride or Crested Butte?
- They are about equally busy over the season (very busy on average).