Top 10 Ways for Guys to Kick Back in Gunnison-Crested Butte

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (September 11, 2009) -  Guys can give it all they've got or take a more laidback approach when visiting Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colo., this winter.  Consider these 10 ways guys can unplug and recharge in this sportsmen's paradise, located in the heart of the Rockies in southwest Colorado, and why they'll keep coming back for more.

1.  The skiing & snowboarding rock

Inspire your passion for adventure on Crested Butte Mountain Resort's legendary extreme terrain or get your fill on beginner to advanced slopes that cover 1,167 acres and include 121 trails.  Try some tricks at the intermediate terrain park or on the legendary superpipe and the latest features at the DC Terrain Park.  Watch some of the most daring skiers and boarders on the planet at the North Face Masters Snowboard Championships on Feb. 12 - 15, U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships on Feb. 17 - 21 and U. S. Extreme Freeskiing Telemark Championships on March 18 - 20.  Visit http://www.skicb.com/.

2. Après ski is hot (and cool!)

Some of the hottest places to stop for a drink and some food mid-mountain are the Ice Bar & Restaurant and Paradise Warming House.  At the base, look no further than the club-like feel of Trackers Bar & Lounge in the Lodge at Mountaineer Square, the New-York hip style of the new django's in the Mountaineer Square Courtyard and 9380 lounge at Elevation Hotel & Spa, and the fun-loving Butte 66, which overlooks to slopes.  At the Ice Bar, ski up to a bar made of ice and order a drink from bartenders wearing fur coats and hats.  If you're lucky, you might get a drink served in a shot glass made of ice.  If java is more your style, go to Camp 4 Coffee at the top of the Painter Boy lift and sit in the log chairs outside for great people watching or fill up at their location across from django's in the courtyard.

3. Catching air ... on a snowmobile

If gathering speed on a motorized sled is more your style, explore more than 55 miles of groomed and marked trails and 170 miles of single-track in Gunnison-Crested Butte.  For the advanced snowmobiler, try riding the area's bottomless powder fields, many at 10,000 feet or higher.  To check trail reports, visit http://www.coloradosledcity.com/.  For equipment and tours, check with Snowmobiling Action Adventures, http://www.actionadventures.com/.

4. Kick it into gear on 90K groomed Nordic trails

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley is emerging as a Nordic skiing and snowshoeing hotspot.  Groomed Nordic trails now number more than 90K, backcountry routes are plentiful, and a full calendar of tours and races offer opportunities to get one of the best workouts on the planet.  Visit the http://www.cbnordic.org/ and http://www.gunnisonnordic.net/ for more information.

5. Head to the backcountry

Local experts who know the backcountry like the back of their hands can show you premiere spots for off-piste alpine and telemark skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.  The Crested Butte Nordic Center, http://www.cbnordic.org/, offers half- or full-day backcountry tours on snowshoes or Nordic skis, with all tours including transportation, rentals and a guide.  Crested Butte Mountain Guides, http://www.crestedbutteguides.com/, not only offers Nordic skiing and snowshoeing adventures in the backcountry, this well-known outfitter offers one-day and overnight trips to alpine ski or ride the powder in out-of-the-way places.

6. Take to the huts

Exploring the backcountry and staying in huts along the way is the ideal way to go on longer backcountry tours.  The Nordic Center books reservations for Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory's Maroon Hut and Forest Queen Hut, both located in the historic mining town of Gothic.  Other backcountry hut options are the Elkton Cabins, call (970) 349-1815, and the 10^th Mountain Division Hut Association's Friends Hut, visit http://www.huts.org/.

7. Going to the dogs

There is nothing quite like the freedom of being pulled by a team of dogs in the thick of stunning mountain terrain capped with snow.  Dog sledding with Lucky Cat Dog Farm is one of those lifetime experiences not to be missed.  Visit http://www.luckycatdogfarm.com/ for details.

8. Hit the ice for hockey

Gunnison County residents, young and old, take their hockey seriously.  Jump in on a pickup hockey game at the new indoor hockey rink in Gunnison, which next to a covered open rink in Jorgensen Park, or the outdoor rink at the Crested Butte Nordic Center.  For more information, call Gunnison Parks & Recreation at (970) 641-8060 and Crested Butte Parks & Recreation at (970) 349-5338.

9. Drop a line in Blue Mesa Reservoir

Colorado's largest body of water, Blue Mesa Reservoir, is located west of Gunnison and known as a place where record-breaking fish are landed.  A record 50-pound mackinaw trout was caught in May 2007.  Local fishing outfitters can steer you to prime ice fishing spots that will light up a winter day. 

10. Cap it off with local brews & great wines

Colorado is one of the nation's microbrew hot spots, and Gunnison-Crested Butte is no exception.  Go microbrewery hopping at The Eldo in downtown Crested Butte and Gunnison Brewery in downtown Gunnison for some suds and a bite to eat (think barbecue and pub food).  While Crested Butte Brewing Company's label has been known for some time-producing beers such as Red Lady Ale, White Buffalo Ale, Rodeo Stout Oatmeal, Paradise Crisp Golden Ale and Jokerville IPA-its  12,000-square-foot brewhouse and tap room and adjoining outdoor beer garden in Gunnison is brand new.  The tap room also features food and wine, and special food nights and live music are planned.  Look for large wine lists at django's in Mt. Crested Butte, Timberline Restaurant and Maxwell's Steakhouse in Crested Butte, and Brick Cellar in Gunnison.

Winter Adventure Packages for Guys 

With The Ruby of Crested Butte's Man Up Already package, wake up to a hearty breakfast on the first day and go to the ski resort for a guided tour and Crested Butte's best and steepest terrain before après ski at Django's, dinner at Maxwell's Steakhouse, and a local microbrew at The Pub.  The next day, head out to Kebler Pass for guided backcountry skiing or an unguided snowmobile tour followed by a massage, pizza at The Secret Stash, and a nightcap and live music at The Eldo (known as the "sunny place for shady people").  Prices start at $750 per person. 

Do you love fishing no matter what?  If so, reel in The Ruby's Guys Winter Fishing Getaway, which includes a two-night stay complete with hearty breakfasts.  Upon arrival, Colorado microbrews and deli sandwiches will be awaiting.  The next morning, wake up early and go out for a day of guided fly-fishing before dinner at Maxwell's Steakhouse.  On the final day, hit private waters for a half day of fly-fishing, enjoy some free time and head out to Blue Mesa Reservoir (Colorado's largest body of water) with a thermos of hot coffee and snacks for guided night ice fishing.  A three-person group is required for this package, which starts at $695 per person. 

To book these packages, call The Ruby at (800) 390-1338, http://www.therubyofcrestedbutte.com/

Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages

To find out more about Gunnison County or to book personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association's toll-free line, (800) 814-8893, or visit http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/.  The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is served year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver and during the winter season by American Airlines with direct flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago and Delta Air Lines with direct flights from Salt Lake City and Atlanta.

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 a wide range of 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.

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For a Word file 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/