1. Compete in the 50th Annual Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race (or spectate!)
The 50th annual Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race takes place on Sunday, March 17! In tribute to the rugged 19th century mailman, competitors in this iconic event test their strength and endurance while wearing wild costumes and Telemark skis. First, they climb 660 vertical feet, then descend 1,200 feet down our double-black diamond steeps. All proceeds from the event benefit the Crested Butte Avalanche Center. The race starts at 1:00 p.m. at the bottom of the North Face Lift and finishes at the bottom of The Last Steep. The event will be followed by an awards ceremony and after-party at Butte 66. Registration is available online for those who would like to put their Telemark skills to the test! If you’re not feeling like freeing the heel, spectators are welcome to watch the fun from the access point near the top of East River Express. You can learn more about the history of the Al Johnson here.
2.. Enjoy free live music in the base area
Nothing goes perfectly together quite like spring and live music. Guests at CBMR have multiple opportunities to enjoy live tunes at the mountain this spring! First, our partners at Toyota are bringing the party to the base area with a three-part Friday spring music series at the Toyota Music Den. Each week will feature a different local act performing from the stage of a custom mini Airstream trailer. Shows will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will include a pop-up bar. The artist lineup includes Coal Creek Trio on March 15, Sunny Downpour on March 22 and the Black Canyon Ramblers on March 29.
As if that wasn’t enough, on Saturday, March 16, guests will have the chance to enjoy live music, cold drinks, good vibes and swag giveaways at CBMR’s free concert series, Ski Town Breakdown Presented by MTN DEW. The Burroughs will be bringing the après vibes with a concert at Butte 66 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Guests can enjoy special MTN DEW mixology cocktails while they listen.
There will be one more opportunity to check out Ski Town Breakdown this season when MTN DEW brings the event back to the base area on April 6, featuring DJ Viking Sound Machine!
3. Watch the IFSA Challenger
Watch the best freeriders in North America throw down in the CBMR extremes! The one-day competition will take place in Spellbound during a weather window between March 14-16. This is the kickoff to the Challenger Tour, where competitors will face the intensity of steep and technically demanding terrain. The event will also be livestreamed. Check back on our event page for updates, including the official competition date announcement and the livestream link!
4. Go Pond Skimming
The end of ski and ride season is one last excuse to celebrate, dress up in silly costumes and gather for memorable events like CBMR’s Pond Skim Presented by Kona Big Wave, where contestants skim across water on their skis and snowboards, all while trying to put out the best trick. Test your skills on April 6 — or join the crowd and watch to see who skimmed it best. Plus, win some Kona Big Wave swag in the process! Best of all, it’s for a good cause. All proceeds benefit Crested Butte State of Mind – a nonprofit working to connect our community to resources, education and free counseling scholarships to improve mental wellness, eliminate stigma and lower the rate of suicide in the Gunnison Valley.
5. Learn where to go for the best spring snow
Spring slush is a blast to play in, and some spots on the mountain warm up earlier in the day than others. If you want to know where to go for the best spring conditions all day long, make sure to book a ski and ride lesson with one of our world-class instructors. Leave the route finding to them and get ready to take on the mountain!
6. Après under the sun
There is no better place to soak up the rays and relax after a long day of skiing than the Butte 66 deck. The expansive patio at the bottom of Red Lady Express offers unobstructed views of the Butte, and the happy hour specials are hard to beat! From 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, guests can enjoy $4 draft beers, discounted house cocktails and a special happy hour food menu including après favorites like wings and loaded nachos.
If you’re feeling more of an inside vibe, look no further than Highlife Crust & Crafts. Located in the Grand Lodge next to the Transit Center, Highlife Crust & Crafts serves a variety of pizzas and draft brews in addition to happy hour specials with to-go pizza slices from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Guests can also call ahead at (970) 349-8030 and place a pickup order to take your après to go! Their pizza is hand-tossed with dough made in house from scratch using the highest-quality ingredients. Guests can watch live sports on the large-screen TVs while they unwind from the day.
These are just a few of the many ways to enjoy the magic of spring at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Make sure to book your stay with us if you haven’t already, and we’ll see you out on the slopes!