The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Snow making, glading and a partnership with Nordic Center
November marks opening month for the winter season at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR), with lifts scheduled to begin spinning November 27, the resort planning a Blizzard of OZ event for the evening of November 26 and snow-making scheduled to begin November 1, weather permitting.
“Opening day this year will be ski free with no strings attached,” said CBMR public relations manager Erica Mueller. “We’ll also be having reduced prices on lift tickets at the beginning of the season.”
A day ticket purchased at the ticket window will be $59 for the first few weeks of the season; however, a ticket bought through the e-commerce site Liftopia will run skiers and snowboarders $19 for a limited time.
These prices will get skiers access to all open terrain on the mountain, which should include Warming House Hill, Upper and Lower Keystone and Peanut. The snowmaking crews focus on covering these areas before expanding operations to other parts of the mountain. Areas that will likely be targeted after the initial push include Twister and Paradise, said Mueller.
Other areas on the mountain, including the Extremes and East River will open as conditions allow.
“Work crews this summer spent more than a month on glading projects on East River,” said Mueller. “They worked in a ten-acre area between Double Top and Black Eagle, and according to the crew ‘It’s going to be awesome.’”
The thinned area is roughly 1,750 feet in length and targeted at intermediate tree skiers wanting to improve their skills without the intimidation that can come with tight trees.
In other mountain news, CBMR and the Crested Butte Nordic Center have partnered to offer a $50 credit on either an uphill or a Nordic pass. According to CBMR, Crested Butte Nordic season pass holders can now receive $50 off an uphill access pass, while Peak Pass+ holders at CBMR will receive $50 off a Crested Butte Nordic pass for the winter season. The Nordic Center will officially open for the season on November 16.
Currently CBMR is up about 33 percent in winter bookings of room-nights to date, said Mueller. “It’s looking to be a good winter.”
