Kick off the season with free skiing on opening day

Red Lady Express will be rolling

With nearly two feet of snow last weekend and snowmaking in full force, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is ready for opening day this Wednesday, November 26.

Once again, everyone skis free, and this year, the resort is kicking off the season with a carnival theme.
“Mother Nature has given us a nice boost and it is definitely looking nice and white up here,” said Erica Mueller, CBMR’s director of innovations and relations.
The recent drop in temperatures was a boon for snow makers and Mueller says the resort expects to open the Red Lady Express, Peach Tree, Aspen Magic Carpet, Pine Magic Carpet and, hopefully, Teocalli Lift.
In addition to carving a few turns, think clown noses, free popcorn, circus costumes and a photo booth to capture the fun. In the base area, the Adventure Park will also be open, offering mini-golf, rock climbing and the bungee tramps, and reservations are available for zip-line tours.
Over at Butte 66, CJ Conway will get things started from 12:30 to 2 p.m., and Tyler Grant and Friends (Chris Elliot on banjo, Adrian Engfer on bass, and Jordan Ramsey on mandolin) will start playing at 2:30.
Thin Air Sports, the Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center, Logo’s and White Room will also be open as well as Camp CB. And if you’re still looking for Thanksgiving Day plans, the Woodstone Grill will host its annual Thanksgiving buffet at 4 p.m.
Looking ahead, the ski free fun won’t stop on opening day. Kids 12 and under ski free through December 18—no strings attached, meaning there are no lodging or length of stay requirements. And when the tubing hill opens, expected in December, it will feature a new magic carpet lift for ski-weary legs looking for a little après ski fun.
CBMR is asking uphill skiers to wait until opening day to hit the mountain in spite of all the recent snow. “This is for everyone’s safety—skiers and riders as well as resort mountain operations staff,” Mueller said.
In general, Mueller says, the recent blast of snow has had the phones ringing and CBMR is expecting a boost in numbers over the holidays.
In the meantime, lifts start running at 9 a.m. sharp on November 26, so brush off your finest circus costume and stop by the main ticket office in the Adventure Center that morning to pick up your free lift ticket.