GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (August 7, 2009) - Large Aspen groves turning brilliant shades of color, Indian summer temperatures and a wide range of events and outdoor recreation combine to make "September Splendor in the Rockies" a month not to miss in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colo. September is an ideal time for people who love the sights, smells, sounds and feel of fall.
A few highlights include the Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-off, Vinotok fall harvest festival, gypsy jazz, running and art events, farmers' markets, stargazing at the new Gunnison Valley Observatory, a production of Shakespeare, a golf tournament and more. For more detailed information, visit http://www.septembersplendor.com/ or call (877) 351-8724. Suggestions for great fall drives are posted on www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/fall-drives.
September Splendor in the Rockies Events
WEEK 1, September 1 - 6
3 Reel Rock Film Tour (climbing and adventure films), Majestic Theatre, Crested Butte
4 Gunnison Valley Observatory, Public Viewing Nights, Gunnison
4 - 7 Labor Day Sidewalk Sales, Gunnison, Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte
5 Gunnison Farmers' Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
5 - 6 The People's Fair (Arts, Crafts & More), Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
5 - 6 DjangoFest Colorado (gypsy jazz), Mt. Crested Butte
5 - 7 Adaptive Off-Road Championships presented by Adaptive Sports Ctr., Mt. Crested Butte
6 Crested Butte Farmers' Market, Elk Avenue & First Street
WEEK 2, September 7 - 13
11 Gunnison Valley Observatory, Public Viewing Nights, Gunnison
12 Gunnison Farmers' Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
12 Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off, Ski Base, Mt. Crested
12 - 13 33rd Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, Crested Butte
13 Crested Butte Farmers' Market, Elk Avenue & First Street
13 Crested Butte to Gunnison MountainAir Marathon & 10-mile
13 - 14 Wooden Nickel Fall Golf Classic, Club at Crested Butte
14 - 19 Vinotok Fall Harvest Festival, Various Locations, Crested Butte
17 Gunnison Growler Mountain Biking Series, Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area, Gunnison
18 Gunnison Valley Observatory, Public Viewing Nights, Gunnison
19 Western State College of Colorado Homecoming (WSC vs. New Mexico Highlands football game), Gunnison
19 Gunnison Farmers' Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
19 Cow Pasture Golf Tournament & BBQ Lunch hosted by Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy, Gunnison
20 Crested Butte Farmers' Market, Elk Avenue & First Street
20 Western State College of Colorado Volleyball vs. Ft. Lewis College
WEEK 4, September 21 - 30
24 ArtWalk Evening, Galleries in Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte
24 - 27, 30 "As You Like It" by Shakespeare Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Mallardi Cabaret
25 Gunnison Valley Observatory, Public Viewing Nights, Gunnison
26 Gunnison Farmers' Market, Virginia Avenue & Main Street
26 Western State College of Colorado Cross Country Hosts the Mountaineer Open
26 Western State College of Colorado Volleyball vs. Western New Mexico
27 Crested Butte Farmers' Market, Elk Avenue & First Street
September Splendor Vacation Deals
Run with the Salmon, Three Rivers Resort, Almont
Come and experience the country's largest land-locked kokanee salmon run from late August to late October. At Three Rivers Resort in Almont, just 3 miles from the final salmon destination at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, utilize the resort's Orvis-endorsed outfitting service, Willowfly Anglers, to help land the fish. When purchasing any all-day guided fishing trip in September and October, receive a 20 percent discount on lodging accommodations of two nights or more. This offer applies to Sunday - Thursday night stays only, and Labor Day weekend is excluded. Call (888) 761-FISH or go to http://www.3riversresort.com/.
Autumn Expedition on Horseback, Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures
For some of the best views of fall foliage, take a 3- or 5-hour trail ride from Horse Ranch Park (West Elk Wilderness via Beckwith Pass or through the Raggeds Wilderness via the Dark Canyon Trail or the Dyke Trail) with Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures, with stables based in Mt. Crested Butte. The outfitter also offers 1 ½-and 3-hour rides on Snodgrass Mountain. Costs range from $55 per person for a 1 ½-hour ride to $120 for a 5-hour ride. Overnight pack trips also are available. Call (970) 349-5425 or visit http://www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com/.
Wine Down from the Summer, The Ruby of Crested Butte, Crested Butte
Autumn is the perfect time to combine a weekend getaway with the enjoyment of hands-on wine making in an idyllic mountain setting. During a three-night stay at The Ruby of Crested Butte bed and breakfast, you will learn the basics of personal wine making while sampling varietals from different Western Slope wineries.
Enjoy dinner with wine pairings at Timberline Restaurant and the opportunity to bottle wine made exclusively for The Ruby and take home a bottle to open later. This package is available September through October and starts at $475 per person. For information, call (800) 390-1338 or visit http://www.therubyofcrestedbutte.com/.
Escape and Save, Crested Butte Retreat, Mt. Crested Butte
Fall is a perfect time to see the colors and escape to the luxurious Crested Butte Retreat. Finely and individually appointed deluxe or suite rooms, roomy public spaces, spectacular views and continental breakfast are included in these value rates, which start at $145 a queen deluxe room for single or double occupancy. A two-night minimum is required, and taxes are not included. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid now through Oct. 5, 2009. Call (970) 349-1701 or visit http://www.crestedbutteretreat.com/.
Weekend & Midweek Getaway Specials, Gunnison Inn, Gunnison
Reward yourself with a two-night, three-day stay in Gunnison Country. The Gunnison Inn's weekend package costs $119.99 and includes accommodations for two nights at Gunnison Inn beginning Friday or Saturday. The midweek special for $99.99 is valid for Sunday - Thursday and also includes two nights. All rates are based on double occupancy. Taxes not included. Available from Sept. 1 - Oct 1, 2009. Call (866) 641-0700 or visit http://www.gunnisoninn.com/.
September Splendor Packages, Crested Butte Mtn. Resort Properties, Mt. Crested Butte
Stay at any Crested Butte Mountain Resort property (Elevation Hotel & Spa, Lodge at Mountaineer Square, Grand Lodge Hotel and Suites, and CBMR Properties condos) this September and October and save 25%. Save on horseback riding and other activities when you include with your lodging reservation. Not valid at the Grand Lodge September 14-17, 2009. Not valid at the Elevation after September 27, 2009. Only valid on new reservations and cannot be combined with any other offers. Call (877) 326-1467 or visit http://www.skicb.com/ for more information and to make reservations.
Visitor Information & Other Vacation Packages
Visit http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/ or call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association's toll-free number (800) 814-8893 or. During fall, air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines.
About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have many lodging options-from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.
Recognized as the "Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado" by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2008, Crested Butte is the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area's conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails.
Gunnison, a real western town located 28 miles from Crested Butte, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, a four-year institution offering majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields. Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.
In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country's newest national parks. Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.
[###]
For a Word version of this press release, click on the link below.
Contact: Beth Buehler
Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association
(970) 349-1168 or bethbuehler@qwestoffice.net
http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/
September Splendor in the Rockies 2009.doc (882 KB)
Return to Press Releases | 
