Selecting a Mountain Town that Fits You and Your Family – What Amenities are Important to You (and Your Spouse, and Your Family)?
Do you think you will spend more time in your mountain town in the winter or summer? What do you like to do during those seasons, and what do you think you would like to learn to do? If skiing is part of the allure, does the mountain offer you the terrain you enjoy skiing, or do you think you (and your family and friends) will tire of the lack of challenging ski runs, or be dissatisfied with long lift lines? Your skills will likely improve, so consider the more advanced terrain you may not be comfortable skiing today but will be excited to ski in the future. Ditto for your spouse and family.
Most people are drawn to a mountain town because they want to get away from the hustle bustle of their jobs, traffic, and people. Some popular mountain towns may be similarly crowded but in a different way: people on trails, at secluded lakes, fly fishing in rivers, parking in town, or getting into restaurants. Some glitzy mountain towns fill up with the Hollywood jet set, and the social page is filled with those looking to be seen. There are many mountain towns and resorts “just two hours from Denver” off I-70.
The reality is that I-70 is jam-packed with cars getting to and from the resorts, especially on the weekends. There are some spectacular facilities, amenities and terrain at some of these resorts, and they can handle world-class ski races and mega events. Many people are okay with the long lift lines and enjoy the electricity of the hustle and bustle of lots of people. Other mountain towns are more laid back with shorter lift lines and fewer people, and while there may be many affluent and even famous people, glitz and glamour are not the focus. There are also some neat mountain towns that have a small ski area that primarily serves the local community. These can be diamonds in the rough, because they offer a much lower price point for real estate, and may allow you to get more home than you thought you could afford. Realize that operating a ski area is expensive, and even well managed resorts are dependent on real estate sales as a component of their annual income. If skiing is important to you, it’s important to understand that the real estate economy in the town affects the ski area. There are many examples of ski areas that have shut down, leaving ski homes sitting adjacent to a ski lift that may never start spinning again.
The nice thing about buying a vacation home in the mountains vs. the beach is that there is a change of seasons. This makes it fun to visit and spend more time experiencing all the activities, events and adventures the full year has to offer. Owning a mountain home is sort of like having two homes; there are big differences in the activities and events when visiting your “ski home” in the winter, and then your “mountain home” in the summer.
Why Crested Butte?
There are many mountain town choices and Crested Butte Colorado is a great option. Crested Butte is a special place, appropriately called “The last great Colorado ski town” with a fun vibe and a welcoming community. While many other mountain towns blossomed as a result of gold and silver mining, Crested Butte’s roots stem from a long history of coal mining, which transcends the decades of time.
Crested Butte is a destination for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golfing and a variety of other outdoor activities. It is a welcoming community made up of transplanted locals and second homeowners, with a permanent population in downtown of about 1,500. Some have boasted there are more restaurants in Crested Butte per capita than anywhere else. Crested Butte is home to many local artists and shops. There are three churches, a movie theater, a performing arts center, a grocery store, and a museum. The Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce and Crested Butte Visitors Center is located at Elk Avenue and 6th Street in the heart of downtown. The primary winter activity in Crested Butte is alpine skiing or snowboarding at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR). The mountain, Crested Butte, rises to 12,162 feet above sea level. The ski area base is at 9,375 feet. Sixteen lifts serve 1,547 acres of terrain, with 121 trails (27 percent beginner, 57 percent intermediate, 16 percent advanced). The longest run on Mt. Crested Butte is 2.6 miles long. The large amount of extreme skiing terrain at Crested Butte has attracted the US Extreme Skiing Championships and the original X-Games. However, for others, the allure of backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, or ice fishing is just as appealing.
Additional information on Visiting Crested Butte available via the Gunnison Crested Butte Travel Association website.
How Can I Help You?
See all the big picture and all the details of the Crested Butte Real Estate Market in my monthly Crested Butte Co Real Estate market reports – the level of detail is representative of what you can expect from me as your Crested Butte Real Estate Agent.
Call me to help you navigate the various options in condos, town homes and single family homes here in Crested Butte. There is a wide variety of options, in location, amenities, and price point. I appreciate the opportunity to help you find the perfect mountain home for you and your family!
If you have an interest in Crested Butte Real Estate and would like to start a conversation about homes, condos or land in the Crested Butte CO real estate market, give me a call.
Visit www.chriskopf.com. Phone: (970) 209-5405, or chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
Thanks,
Chris Kopf
Previews® Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty
(970) 209-5405
chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
#1 Crested Butte Real Estate Agent 2014
based on Total Volume
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