By Dick Butler
Photos by the author

December 20, 2005 - Our spirits are high and the moon is full. There is a clear sky overhead, and plenty of snow below us as we pass over the mountains of central Colorado. The snow capped peaks and valleys below are visible in full detail from my window seat. I’m certain our pilot could land this plane this night without runway lighting or any assistance from the air traffic controller. We are on our way to Crested Butte Colorado from Albany New York for four days of early season adventure and fun on its renowned slopes. This majestic place is in the middle of five wilderness areas and two million acres of public land.

As we ride from the Gunnison airport, less than an hour’s flight south west of Denver, to Carolers in the Historic Town of Crested Butte, we are greeted by storefronts, houses and highways dressed up for the holidays.

Our rooms are located at the base of the ski mountain (Mt. Crested Butte), a few minutes uphill from Town. Christmas is only ten days away. Santa waves at us. A choral group entertains us, and now there is light fluffy snow falling.

Recent snow has capped everything. This is what we picture a perfect Christmas to be. It is quiet, friendly and peaceful here. Truly we have escaped, at least for a short spell, the omnipresence of the world condition that bombards us in our regular lives.

I had brought the current issue of Time with me for the flight. It happens to feature 2005’s best photos. Best is questionable. I’m a visual person, but best is a relative term. As I turn the pages I’m feeling guilty for this trip, as the year in review touches my soul. I need not remind you of the year just about to pass. The hurricanes, the war in Iraq, floods, earthquakes and tsunamis are summed up before me in full Technicolor with each turn of the page. I feel very fortunate that all these disasters have affected my family and friends only indirectly and in a very minor way.

Four days of sunshine, Colorado hospitality, great food, and great snow conditions are about to make this trip memorable and the guilt a little less for at least these few days. Early season trips like this one are less crowded, and everyone greets us with a smile in anticipation of a long snowy winter.

A good percentage of this high altitude mountain (its peak is at 12,162 feet) is open now for our enjoyment. There is groomed corduroy, packed powder and even some untracked snow. There is great beginner terrain here, and of course the super steeps that have earned the resort high marks for adventure seekers.

A Vermont family purchased this resort two years ago and they have done wonders with sound planning, exceptional grooming, new lifts, and better base facilities. They have even bigger plans including a new base area village and conference center. The Muellers, Tim and Diane, and there son Ethan, the new owners, are very familiar to eastern skiers and riders. Since they purchased Okemo in Ludlow Vermont in the early 80’s, they have made it a star in the east, best known for it’s grooming and planned, methodical real estate development. They also manage state owned Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire. All their success in the east can only help the rebirth of fame at Crested Butte.

Its best to turn off the media once in awhile and escape, the busy, hectic, noisy world of the city and the suburb. CB is remote, but anyplace worth visiting, is worth the extra effort to get there.

Everyone needs a break now and then. I just had mine. It’s your turn. Aren’t we lucky?

Happy Holidays, Crested Butte style.