Crested Butte Boys Ski Trip
There are lots of great things about owning a home in Crested Butte. One of my favorites is the opportunity to host the annual Boys Ski Trip.
This year was the 10th Annual Boys Ski Trip for this group. There were ten guys mostly from Dallas who come together to ski, relax, laugh and have 4-5 days of bonding.
This was easier when we were second homeowners in Crested Butte – we would arrive to our vacant home. Once we moved here full-time we had to make an adjustment.
We kicked my wife and daughters out of the house and put them up at a condo at the base area. Since we are now empty nesters this is a bit less traumatic for the family as it is only my wife who has to relocate. And since she started as a CBMR ski instructor this year, being at the base area is convenient for her.
Since it has been 10 years – below are a few tips that seem to work for our group and that may be ideas for your Boys (or Girls) Ski Trip.
The Boys
It helps if you have an easy going group of guys. I would say we are all very much Type A personalities, but are all able to relax, have fun and adjust to our ski trip roles… There is no lack of prodding and making fun of the other guys.
Early on my dad would attend and was part of a few years of the Boys Ski trip group. He is still active and playing golf and pickleball in Florida, but at 89 is no longer skiing.
Crested Butte Arrival – Departure
It is best if everyone flies into Gunnison and arrives and departs on the same flight so the logistics of pick-up and drop-off in Gunnison at the airport is simplified. Otherwise the stragglers can take Alpine Express.
One year we had a guy with flight issues… he ended up only able to get to Denver. It was President’s Weekend and there were NO rental cars… When he landed I called him and said “Good news and Bad News – we got you a vehicle, but it is a 22 foot U-Haul panel truck!”
Groceries and Alcohol
After many years the trip to City Market and the liquor store has become pretty smooth. Everyone gets a few items from the list, and the time spent is minimal.
The Cook
We have one of our guys who enjoys cooking and he does a very good job. Of course we nicknamed him “Cookie”. Good to have one guy responsible for the cooking – he is free to delegate prep and everyone pitches in on clean-up duty (but we generally eat off of thick paper plates). We eat breakfasts and usually cook one dinner meal at the house. The meal is a festive event we call “Wild Game Night” or “Meat Night”.
Wild Game Night
The group procured a La Caja China Pig Roasting Box early on and we have used this box every year to cook an over abundance of meat. It can be difficult to judge the cooking time at altitude. We have roasted a full pig three times – and this year with the help of 4 meat 
thermometers the pig was actually cooked all the way through… (it took an extra two hours to cook – but it was worth the wait).
It has been fun to invite some local friends to attend this evening and join in the festivities.
The Ice Bar and Umbrella Bar
As long as there is snow leading up to the Ice Bar and the Umbrella Bar I am certain all is good… There are a few skiers in our group who enjoy venturing into the extremes, but generally we are all cruising the groomed slopes. The afternoon of skiing typically adjourns at either the Ice Bar or Umbrella Bar.
The Hot Tub
I tell Mark and his service folks at Diamond Blue Hot Tub and Spa to come every day during the Boys Ski Trip because the exterior hot tub is in full use.
My wife Francene has thick bathrobes in each room on a hook and these are handy for the hot tub.
Eating Out in Crested Butte
With so many great restaurants in Crested Butte it is hard to choose. Over the years we have gone to nearly all the local restaurants. It seems some of the favorites of this group are The Wooden Nickel, Elk Avenue Prime and Gourmet Noodle.
There have been some interesting encounters at the various watering holes in Crested Butte, and some very funny stories that are re-enacted every year…
Crested Butte Adventures
The main focus of the trip seems to be skiing, eating and drinking. But we have added a variety activities to the trip over the years which has been fun.
In addition to alpine skiing here at Crested Butte we have also ventured out.
Some of our adventures include: Snowcat Skiing at Irwin with Eleven, Snowcat Skiing at Monarch, Fat Biking, Ice Fishing, Snowshoeing out Gothic Road, and this year a few guys went Snowmobiling.
People often ask me: “What makes Crested Butte special?”
For sure hosting a Crested Butte Boys Ski Trip is a great part of being a homeowner.
Being able to spend 4-5 days with a group of friends in such a beautiful place and share many of the great aspects of Crested Butte is special. I really enjoy being able to provide everyone with a cool ski trip experience, and a fun time together.
Crested Butte Real Estate
There are many great reasons to own a Crested Butte Second Home. The Crested Butte Boys Ski Trip is one of them that may appeal to you. There are plenty of luxury homes and high-end ski-in / ski-out condos at the base area and great values throughout the Crested Butte area..
In many ways the character and attitude of the early ranchers and miners in Crested Butte has transcended time. In Crested Butte the skiing is great, the scenery is awesome, the recreational activities in the Gunnison Valley are endless, and the people are warm, friendly and real.
Buying a home in Crested Butte could be the beginning of your journey as it has been for me and my family…
If you have an interest in Crested Butte Real Estate and would like to start a conversation about ranches, homes, condos, land, fly fishing or enjoying life in the Crested Butte area, call me.
Chris Kopf,
Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty
970-209-5405
chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
ChrisKopf.com
Crested Butte Boys Ski Trip
If you are looking for a Crested Butte Real Estate Agent I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. To see featured properties or search the MLS – visit chriskopf.com.
Contact me at: (970) 209-5405, chriskopf@bighornrealty.com, and be sure to check the Crested Butte Real Estate G+ page for more information on Crested Butte news and events.
