Crested Butte
Beacon Guidebooks has partnered with onX Backcountry. Find guidebook quality content for backcountry adventures in Crested Butte. Crested Butte has 18 zones to explore and 83 routes.
Total Zones
18
Publisher
Beacon Guidebooks
Crested Butte Overview
Legends permeate the mountain culture here, from a postman traversing the Elks high passes during the mining days to a couple of hippies reinventing telemark skiing in Red Lady Bowl. Crested Butte Mountain Resort challenges skiers to hone their skills with some of the steepest, gnarliest terrain in the USA. Over the years, local skiers have taken those skills into the seemingly endless backcountry. From the trailheads, a morning tour can place you among some of the finest aspen glades in the world, or atop 50° hallway couloirs. Due to unique geography and strong orographic weather patterns, the western end of this zone can receive the most snow (like... in the entire state), yet snow totals vary widely, even over distances as short as a mile. Our unique weather and isolated geography inspired some locals to found the Crested Butte Avalanche Center (CBC) over 20 years ago, which provides world class forecasts on the weather, snowpack, and travel advisories every single day. If you're armed with an understanding of the CBC forecast, this terrain atlas can help you make smarter decisions when deciding where to tour. Provided you already have some backcountry skiing experience, there is something in this atlas for everyone.
Zones Covered
Anthracites
Routes
7
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
NW,N,NE,E
Short but sweet. The Anthracites usually receive more snowfall than other areas in the Crested Butte Zone. This is another area that has terrain for just about any skill level of backcountry skier with avalanche training and good fitness and navigation skills.
Routes
- Anthracites Approach
- Anthracites Exit
- Seven Bowl
- Big Chute
- Rock and Tree Chute
- Ziggins
- East Bowl
Avery Sluice
Routes
2
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
SE
Avery Peak's Sluice is a quick access route from Gothic. The aspect lends this terrain to both poor snowpack structure, and often crusty conditions. But when the snow is stable and soft, this is a Copper Creek classic.
Routes
- The Sluice Approach
- The Sluice
Coney's
Routes
4
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE,E
Officially called Anthracite Mesa, but locally known as Coney’s. This area is most commonly descended from the summit zone down the northeast faces, chutes, and glades. Exploration in the glades near to and south of the skin track can be rewarding.
Routes
- Second Bowl
- Coney's Exit
- First Bowl
- Coney's Approach
East River Mini Golf
Routes
4
ATES Level
1
General Aspect
NE
East River Mini Golf is a low-exposure option for those staying at the winter huts in the town of Gothic. Short, low angle, and gladed. But be aware that to arrive at this zone, you cross beneath the massive avalanche path of Gothic Mountain's northeast face.
Routes
- Putt Two
- Putt Three
- East River Mini Golf Approach
- Putt One
Gothic Mountain South
Routes
3
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
S,SW,W
Gothic Mountain is recommended as a tour for very stable conditions commonly found in mid-to-late spring. This peak is most commonly climbed via the ridges on the Climber's left of The Spoon. It is most commonly descended along the runs shown in the above photo. The faces of Gothic that are not shown in this picture are complex and extreme. Many lines end over massive cliffs or icy bottlenecks. If you venture that way, be very confident in your route and mountaineering skills.
Routes
- Gothic Mountain SW Face
- The Spoon
- Gothic Mountain Approach
Mineral and Augusta
Routes
4
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
E,SE,S
Once you put all the work to get here, it's nice to ski them both, but certainly not necessary. Mineral and Augusta are recommended as a tour for very stable conditions commonly found in mid-to-late Spring. The faces of these peaks that are not shown in this picture can be complex and extreme, and they are not part of this guide or discussion.
Routes
- Mineral Augusta Approach
- Mineral East Face
- Augusta
- Mineral South Face
Mount Axtell North
Routes
8
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
N,NE
Axtell holds a huge variety of terrain. All aspects are skiable and worth exploration. Once on top, it can be difficult to navigate to your planned route, so study it well. As you climb up the Northwest ridge, the terrain becomes steeper, more exposed and more technical.
Routes
- Mount Axtell Approach
- Green Lake Chutes
- Second Bowl
- Wang Chung
- First Bowl
- Pencil
- Half Bowl
- Axtell North Exit
Mount Baldy East
Routes
3
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NE,E,SE
Baldy is a massive mountain without a distinct summit. Just about every face, ridge, and bowl has something to offer. But it's a long way from home! For those staying at Gothic ski huts, Baldy is a big objective reserved for very stable avalanche conditions. Each of these lines are best approached by "climbing what you'll ski", which once again, requires that the snowpack be very stable, since this is big terrain.
Routes
- Emerald Couloir
- Quigley Basin
- Baldy SE Face
Mount Bellview
Routes
1
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
SE,S
Yet another summit on Crested Butte’s horizon that calls you to tick it off the list. This is a peak best saved for predictable, stiff, spring conditions. If you catch it on fast surface crust, you will find yourself descending for 3,000 plus feet over two miles. This peak is a long slog, it catches first light and warms up fast. Plan accordingly.
Routes
- Bellview South Face
Mount Emmons North
Routes
7
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NW,N,NE
A handful of nice winter lines hidden in plain sight. This area can be accessed two different ways. One is by climbing the Red Lady approach on the south side of Mt. Emmons. This brings you to the summit, where you are committed to descending either Redwell or Wolverine. Both of these descents are big faces with big consequences. The other approach is from Slate River, climbing the Gunsight Pass road. While still exposed to big overhead hazards, this approach allows you to descend from below treeline.
Routes
- Wrong Chute
- Wolverine Trees
- Redwell
- Wolverine
- Right and Wrong Approach
- Right Chute
- Emmons North Exit
Mount Emmons South
Routes
6
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
E,SE,S,SW
Red Lady Zone is one of the few Off-Piste zones in the Crested Butte area where you can ski back to your vehicle. That said, if you ski the glades, you will probably have to schuss (less than a mile) back to your car along Kebler Road.
Routes
- Coon Basin
- Red Lady Bowl
- Red Lady Approach
- Red Coon Glades
- Coon Basin Exit
- Red Lady Glades
Queen Basin
Routes
5
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
ALL
Venture up Copper Creek for some west facing shots. These can be made small and simple by approaching from below, or they can be full-scale mountaineering objectives by approaching from above.
Routes
- Seldom Scene Approach from Queen
- El Nacho
- Whiterock South Couloir
- Seldom Scene
- Seldom Scene Approach from Copper
Red Ridge
Routes
4
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
SE,S,SW
Red Ridge holds winter descents and spring missions. As soon as you enter the Copper Creek valley on your approach, you are entering the land of giant avalanche paths. Each of the ski descents listed here are in large avalanche paths with the full variety of aspect and elevation.
Routes
- Elk Basin
- White Rib
- Dust On Crust
- Red Ridge Exit
Schuylkill
Routes
8
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE,E
Pronounced "Skoo-Kill", this area offers a variety of fantastic options for the more advanced rider (and skinner!). Beware that even though the area faces NE, the bowls are well shaped, lending to a very diverse snowpack, wind-effect, and sun-effect.
Routes
- Yogi's
- Thanksgiving Bowl
- Hot Lap
- Schuylkill Approach
- Birthday Bowl
- Schuylkill Exit
- First Bowl
- Snake in the Weeds
Snodgrass
Routes
11
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE,E
This area is most commonly descended from the summit zone down the northeast faces, chutes, and glades. Exploration on the east and south faces can also be rewarding. A secondary lap track can be established via the saddle between Snodgrass and Gothic Mountain.
Routes
- Abbey Lane Approach
- Abbey Lane
- Fourth Bowl
- Meadowskipper
- First Bowl
- Third Bowl
- Second Bowl
- California Bowl
- Weather Station
- Snodgrass Exit
- Snodgrass Approach
Teocalli Mountain
Routes
2
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
S,SW
Be prepared for a long day. Teocalli Mountain is recommended as a tour for very stable conditions commonly found in mid-to-late Spring. The faces of Teocalli that are not shown in this picture are complex and extreme. Many lines end over massive cliffs or icy bottlenecks. It is not recommended that you venture that way.
Routes
- Teocalli Centerpunch
- Teocalli Approach
White Widow
Routes
1
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
S
This proud line is best reserved for predictable spring conditions. This is not actually located on Whiterock proper, but on the northwest sub-peak of the massif. Plan plenty of time for getting to the top before it heats up too much. You’re in a remote place, skiing extreme terrain. Plan and pack accordingly.
Routes
- White Widow Couloir
Zach's Wolf
Routes
3
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
W
An easy-access option for those staying at the Gothic ski huts, or a long day for those starting at the Snodgrass Trailhead. West facing often means poor surface snow quality, but when it's good, it's really good.
Routes
- Zachary's
- Wolf's Lair
- Zach's Wolf Approach
