Skyland Crested Butte TOP 10 Things List

As we come to the end of the Winter Ski Season – we transition to summer adventures… and the Skyland Community offers some great amenities!

Most people know that Skyland is a great place to own a home because of the location – homes are in close proximity to the Club at Crested Butte Clubhouse, Championship Golf, Tennis, Pickleball, Fitness, Dining and all the benefits of the social benefits of the club… But you may not know everything – so here are the Skyland Crested Butte TOP 10 Things List!

Skyland Crested Butte TOP 10 Things List

#10:  The Skyland Community was originally the Ruland Ranch. The Ranch was purchased in the 1970’s, the Skyland Initial Filing was recorded October 2, 1981, and the Special District was formed in 1982.

#9: Grant Lake is approximately 22 Acres in size, and the perimeter is about 3/4 of a mile. Fishing is permitted – Ten (10) fish per property owner is the annual limit; Barbless hooks, flies and lures only; Children under 12 years of age may use bait. There is also fishing access for Skyland owners on approximately 1 mile of the Slate River. Owners can keep a small boat at Grant Lake. There is a very nice pavilion that owners can reserve for special occasions.

#8: There is a visible shaft in the Skyland Community on the hillside that can be seen by those with an eagle eye from Skyland Drive. This was coal storage and “refrigeration” for the Ruland Ranch.

#7: The “Skyland Camp” in Crested Butte on the land you know now as the Skyland Community and golf course land. It was operated by the Dorsett family for 30 years starting in 1949. For many years campers slept in “covered wagons”, and swam in the cold spring fed Lake Grant that had abundant lily pads and frogs.

#6: The Skyland Community is home to The Club at Crested Butte golf course – and this is a great club to be a member of. The golf course was designed by world renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. The area is sometimes referred to as the “Golf Course Community”.  Robert Trent Jones, Jr. has designed more than 270 golf courses in more than 40 countries on six continents.  RTJ II courses have won countless awards and accolades, been ranked among the best layouts throughout the world, and hosted tournaments on every major golf tour. 

#5: In addition to golf, The Clubhouse facility is great – enjoy tennis and pickleball, and there is a Fitness Center and pool and hot tub. The Fitness Center offers different types of classes for you to enjoy. My wife Francene’s favorite class is Kick Boxing (I think she is just telling me that so I stay in line…). The club also offers seasonal bar and dining at both the clubhouse and Ski Club. The Club at Crested Butte allows a great place for friends and neighbors to get together and enjoy the social aspect of life in the community.

#4: The Club at Crested Butte Memberships are currently not available as of this writing – but General Manager Brad Bogard said that they hope to begin selling memberships again by the end of May 2024, there is a group of investors who have the Club under contract that was supposed to close October 2023.  Evidently it is still in “negotiations”… For Membership Inquiries Contact membership@clubatcrestedbutte.com, 970.349.8610.

#3: The initial plans for Skyland included 761 dwelling units and an 18-hole golf course, with a total estimated population of 2,309 people. There are approximately 450 lots in the Skyland Community with a current build out of approximately 50%. There are numerous condo and townhome developments in Skyland including: Skyland Lodge Condos, Golf Villas, Powderview at the Greens, Trophy Club Condos, The Links, Fairway Condos, Boulders Condos, Mountain Horizons, Teocalli Townhomes, Owls Nest, Fairway Park, and The Greens at Fairway Park.

#2: The Upper Loop Trail starts/finishes on Country Club Drive just down the street from the Clubhouse. Enjoy the trail in summer by hike or bike, and by ski in the winter.

#1: Summer wildflowers are abundant! You can view the magnificent bloom in the open space of Skyland, adjacent to the fairways on the golf course (you may find many of my lost golf balls in there), and along the Upper Loop Trail, the Upper Upper Loop, or up Brush Creek.

Is it okay if I overdeliver… how about 2 more Skyland things…  🙂

#1 BONUS: Nordic Skiing in Skyland gets you to the other Nordic Center trails – start on the North side of the Club house – groomed trail goes down the 18th fairway – then heads North -across the Slate River (via a temporary bridge)…

#2 BONUS:  Paddle Boarding on Grant Lake for Skyland owners, and the Slate River is a popular and fun recreational activity for appropriate ages and offers outstanding views (be respectful of adjacent land owners and those fishing along the Slate River).