Crested Butte Mountain Resort has officially kicked off snowmaking operations as the Colorado ski area prepares to open for the 2026-27 winter season on November 25. With its 65th anniversary season approaching, the resort is already making progress on mountain improvements and early-season preparations.
On October 27, Crested Butte shared images of its snowmaking operations getting underway, announcing that crews had fired up the system the previous night. Colder temperatures, some help from Mother Nature, and the hard work of its Snowmaking and Mountain Operations teams helped make the start possible.
“With less than one month to go until Opening Day, the countdown is ON! Who’s ready for winter?!” – Crested Butte
Snowmaking Focused on Houston and Lower Keystone
Crested Butte’s snowmaking teams have primarily focused on the Houston and Lower Keystone zones during the initial push. According to the resort, crews are hoping to expand snowmaking operations to additional areas of the mountain as temperatures and conditions allow.
While an exact Opening Day terrain package has not yet been finalized, resort officials confirmed that skiers and snowboarders can expect access to terrain off the Red Lady Express.
“We’re excited to begin snowmaking and start building the foundation for CBMR’s 65th anniversary season. Each year, we prepare for a wide range of snow and snowmaking conditions, and this season is no different. We go in ready for multiple scenarios, with a focus on delivering a strong start for our employees, our community, and the local businesses that count on it.” – JD Crichton, General Manager and Vice President of Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Mountain Improvements Ahead of the 65th Anniversary
Snowmaking isn’t the only work Crested Butte has completed ahead of winter. Mountain Operations crews also finished a widening project on Houston, one of the mountain’s high-traffic ski runs, to provide additional room.
Crested Butte is preparing to celebrate its 65th anniversary, first opening on Thanksgiving Day in 1961 with a simple rope tow and T-bar near the base area. Today the resort offers 15 lifts and 1,547 acres of terrain, including more than 561 acres of in-bounds extreme skiing and riding.
To celebrate the milestone, the resort plans to host a 65th anniversary party next spring, tentatively scheduled for March 13. Its base area restaurant, Butte 66, will also be rebranded as Butte 65 for the entirety of the season.
For now the immediate focus on the mountain is getting snow on the ground. Crested Butte is set to open for the winter season on November 25, 2026.