Town of Crested Butte
The historic community of Crested Butte has made a name for itself as a creative, free-spirited enclave for the adventurous nestled within the Rocky Mountains. Dazzling expanses of wilderness stir the senses in every season, from the glimmering white slopes and Nordic ski routes of winter to the colorful wildflower meadows and mountain bike trails of spring.
Once a tiny coal mining and ranching settlement in the shadow of Crested Butte Mountain, Crested Butte transformed monumentally in the 1960s as the area in Gunnison County developed into a preeminent ski destination. With less than 2,000 residents today, Crested Butte remains a small but mighty tourism hotspot visited by outdoor enthusiasts from all over the globe.
The residential real estate in Crested Butte is nothing short of spectacular, consisting of charming historic cottages side by side with palatial estates. Available in an array of architectural styles, homes in Crested Butte share the common denominators of unparalleled luxury and designs infused with natural elements. Discerning buyers will fall in love with the thoughtful merging of rugged beauty and contemporary elegance, as well as the no-expense-spared amenities and panoramic mountain views.
WHAT TO LOVE
- Vibrant and historic downtown with plentiful local businesses
- Lesser-known and less crowded than most other Colorado resort towns
- Awe-inspiring estates settled on unspoiled landscapes
LOCAL LIFESTYLE
Expressive and eclectic to the core, Crested Butte is a ski town that thrives on individualism and excitement. The community differs from many of the standard ski resorts directly on the I-70 Corridor in both its busyness and the difficulty of its terrain, with visitors enjoying smaller crowds, extreme ski routes and double-black terrain, and a collection of quaint local businesses within a historic downtown.
Mt. Crested Butte
North of Crested Butte and tucked along the base of its eponymous mountain, the community of Mt. Crested Butte is an end-of-the-road ski destination and idyllic retreat backdropped by a striking 12,000-foot, white-capped summit. Jaw-dropping panoramic views abound throughout the entire year, whether the slopes are laden with glittering white powder or blankets of wildflowers and lush, verdant foliage.
The crown jewel of the community is the Crested Butte Mountain Resort, a premier skiing hotspot known for its extreme terrain and challenging courses. Considered the birthplace of inbounds extreme terrain and also featuring an invigorating mountain bike park, adventure junkies and sports enthusiasts can test their mettle to the fullest at this off-the-beaten-path gem.
With lavish condos adjacent to the ski lifts, majestic, single-family estates flanked by pines and mature aspen trees, and massive luxury ski lodges epitomizing the best of rustic glamor, the residential real estate of Mt. Crested Butte proves to be just as exciting as its bountiful mountain views, extreme sports, and small-town spirit.
WHAT TO LOVE
- Tranquil retreat into nature
- Mix of spacious condos and massive cabin estates
- Living next door to some of the world’s toughest ski slopes
LOCAL LIFESTYLE
A population under 1,000 means that Mt. Crested Butte locals can enjoy a quiet, rural lifestyle despite the area’s ski attractions. The area is a tight-knit community of daredevils and nature lovers who pursue luxury with passion — and who prefer living within walking distance of the slopes over a bustling commercial corridor.
Crested Butte South
A mere seven miles south of Crested Butte lies the emerging community of Crested Butte South, an enclave nestled at the convergence of the scenic East River, Slate River, and Cement Creek. Flush with gorgeous vistas and plenty of desirable amenities, Crested Butte South is regarded as one of Gunnison County’s premier residential communities for family living in a rustic mountain environment.
From its position in the flat sweep of Cement Creek Valley, Crested Butte South offers expansive, 360-degree views of mountain peaks and wild terrain. The community’s Property Owners Association takes care to ensure locals are outfitted with recreational facilities, amenities, and even a few convenient commercial establishments.
There’s a great deal of diversity when it comes to residential real estate in Crested Butte South, and the population is a mix of long-time locals, first-time buyers, and second-home owners. More affordable than properties in town and around Crested Butte Mountain Resort but still incredibly lavish, options include new-build construction and impressive land lots as well as custom homes, spacious executive abodes, and condominiums.
WHAT TO LOVE
- Trail access and tons of hiking
- Close proximity to town without the bustle
- Top-notch amenities and recreation
LOCAL LIFESTYLE
Those living in Crested Butte South enjoy a tight-knit sense of community that heightens the residential experience into one of connection and togetherness. Wonderful amenities like more than 30 acres of open space and local Nordic ski trails keep residents active and engaged. Simultaneously, the large property lots and the small population keeps the area feeling private and secluded.
Rural Crested Butte
There are few places in the world better to enjoy the captivating beauty of the Rocky Mountain region than the assortment of communities held within the area of Rural Crested Butte. Dramatic mountain peaks slope into radiant valleys, rolling hills lie interwoven with rambling creeks, and in the midst of vast open space rest spectacular homesites perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Rural Crested Butte is used as the umbrella moniker for the large stretch of land covering residential communities outside of the Crested Butte town limits. Included in this are upscale subdivisions such as the Upper and Lower Highlands, Hidden Mine Ranch, Whetstone Mountain Ranch, Red Mountain Ranch, and several others as well as the Skyland golf club community.
As would be expected from a rural setting, the residential real estate market of Rural Crested Butte is saturated with massive property lots, sprawling ranches, jaw-dropping mountain estates, and stately single-family homes. The diverse terrain means that potential buyers have their pick of views: lakeside, rivers, distant mountains, lush valleys, or even densely wooded national forest land. With plenty of room to build, there’s often no expense spared in the creation of these one-of-a-kind estates.
WHAT TO LOVE
- Access to backcountry skiing and mountain biking trails
- Secluded feel and a heightened sense of privacy
- Rugged, ranching lifestyle merged with unparalleled luxury living
LOCAL LIFESTYLE
Life in Rural Crested Butte is all about merging a love of the great outdoors with an eye for luxury. Residents have their pick from distinctive communities, each of which comes with its own set of HOA guidelines, convenient amenities, and desirable features. The best of skiing and biking is right at locals’ fingertips, as is an invigorating expanse of truly remarkable landscapes.
City of Gunnison
A history steeped in ranching and agriculture planted the charismatic, country roots of Gunnison, the county seat of Gunnison County and home to Western Colorado University. The community appeals to the adventurer and the artist alike, both drawn to its spellbinding landscape of table mesas, pine-blanketed mountains, and rushing rivers.
Originally the summer hunting grounds of the Ute Tribe, Gunnison was first explored by European settlers in the mid-1800s and saw its population rise with miners, ranchers, and farmers once the advent of the railroad made travel through the state more accessible. Current-day Gunnison still carries aesthetic vestiges of the wild west, paired with the academic atmosphere fostered by Western Colorado University.
Homes in Gunnison are as eclectic as its population, running the gamut between historic single-family abodes and luxury condos to dazzling ranch estates and rustic cabin properties. In the outer boundaries of town lies a market rich with large acre lots, and discerning buyers will appreciate the opportunity to build their own dream estate on such picturesque swaths of land.
WHAT TO LOVE
- Bustling entertainment and college atmosphere
- Endless outdoor recreation and proximity to world-class skiing
- Regional airport access and thriving Downtown
LOCAL LIFESTYLE
A diverse population of college students, families, and year-round visitors makes Gunnison one of the most upbeat Rocky Mountain communities. A surprisingly active music and arts scene pushes this rural-feeling retreat into a level of sophistication typically expected of larger cities, meaning that residents can enjoy adrenaline-pumping sports and recreation without sacrificing every bit of urban entertainment.
Almont & Rural Gunnison
Ensconced by breathtaking mountain scenery and settled at the confluence of two beautiful rivers, the adorable unincorporated community of Almont radiates with vibrant, small-town appeal. From the towering pines pressed into cragged hills to the babbling brooks, powerful rivers, and broad sweeps of countryside, there’s a cornucopia of glorious nature in this rural dreamland.
In the southern portion of Almont, the Taylor River and the East River converge to form the mighty waters of the Gunnison River. The surplus of waterways has established the town as a fishing paradise, as well as Gunnison County’s recreational hub for whitewater rafting. First platted in 1881, Almont is largely defined by its surrounding rivers and bucolic lifestyle and is unhindered by large tourism crowds or commercial corridors.
Potential homeowners looking to Almont can expect to find sprawling lots — often more than 30 acres — ready for purchase and development. Homes already built typically reflect the area’s agrarian feel and are styled as posh mountain cabins and spacious ranch estates, which are sometimes tucked away in private communities or perched on hillsides.
WHAT TO LOVE
- Easy access to campgrounds and hiking
- World-class watersports and fishing
- Waterside resorts and country charm
LOCAL LIFESTYLE
A small full-time population keeps Almont feeling tiny, close-knit, and friendly. The town’s history of mining shines through its plethora of rustic buildings and unspoiled landscapes, which both paint an idyllic scene year-round. Two all-season resorts bring in enough tourism to keep Almont dynamic and also serve as the area’s go-to for dining and entertainment.
