Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Time for, a cool change

7-17-2007

Weather.

It can make a difference in one's state of mind.

Yesterday it was a high of 94 in Tulsa,
with a low of 71.

Yesterday it was a high of 85 in Crested Butte,
with a low of 48.

That's a nice difference. The difference will be
even more pronounced in August.

However, even today, the difference between here
in the mountains, and the temperatures in eastern
Colorado / far western Oklahoma is significant,
as today's forecast for those areas are for near
100 already.

About Crested Butte
Find out more about our town.
Ball Bash 2006 Folks have been skiing in Crested Butte longer than they’ve been driving cars, flushing toilets or turning on light switches. Thank goodness today we can do all of the above.

Crested Butte today is a marvel of contrasts. High-speed lifts whisk skiers to the top of an expansive ski mountain abuzz with youthful energy, flanked by a modern resort with state-of-the-art services and amenities. Yet, just a few minutes away lies the old town of Crested Butte, one of Colorado’s largest National Historic Districts, looking much like it did a century ago when burly gold miners skied in from their mountain claims for supplies, good food and warm companionship. The historic town, bathed in antique lamplight, still knows how to welcome, entertain and pamper its guests.

Far from urban crowds, Crested Butte has preserved the best of its heritage-a sense of history, community and hospitality-while creating the best of the new-exceptional skiing, diverse recreational amenities, and fine dining and lodging.

In the town of Crested Butte, guests feel warmly welcomed by both its friendly locals and its old Victorian storefronts. Yet this is no sleepy backwoods burg; Crested Butte boasts an impressive cultural slate-art galleries, musical entertainment, dance, theater-and, as Michael Carlton wrote in the Denver Post, "Crested Butte has more fine restaurants per capita than any other town in the U.S."

The modern ski resort is a separate world of luxury conference facilities, shopping, dining and recreational amenities. Accommodations range from the plush, slope-side Club Med resort to lodges, bed and breakfast inns and condominiums-more than 5,000 beds in the valley. Historic town and contemporary resort are connected by a free shuttle bus.

Among avid skiers, Crested Butte is known as a place where anyone can find the right challenge - whether it’s the resort’s innovative QuickStart beginners’ program, inviting intermediate bowls and non-threatening glades, or the double-black diamond Extreme Limits, the finest adventure skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Crested Butte leads the state in teaching first-time skiers; the country’s best and boldest skiers and snowboarders also gather in Crested Butte each year for national extreme skiing and snowboarding championships.

Though Crested Butte feels like a world removed-nestled in a valley at the road’s end, surrounded by towering peaks-it is as accessible by air as any ski resort in America. Skiers can easily fly into the Gunnison/Crested Butte airport from anywhere in the United States, with convenient international connections as well.

Crested Butte offers guests accessibility, amenities and skiing to rival the largest ski resorts in America, but it has what they can’t buy, build or imitate-authentic Old West charm, small-town hospitality and a "real skier’s mountain." Crested Butte is truly "the last great Colorado ski town."

Skiing on Mt. Crested  Butte               photo Tom Stillo
Skiing on Mt. Crested Butte photo Tom Stillo
Visitor Information

Crested Butte has a lot to offer...whether
it’s summer, winter or in-between.

Our mountain scenery is spectacular
and recreational opportunities are
almost endless. Crested Butte is known
as "Colorado’s Last Great Ski Town"
and "The Wildflower Capital of Colorado.
We’re a town with spunk,energy and
friendly, fun-loving locals.

Stroll down our streets and alleys and
enjoy the historic buildings, most of
which date back to the late 1800’s
when Crested Butte was a bustling coal
mining town.
Crested Butte offers just
about everything an outdoor enthusiast
desires:

Wildflower viewing                  photo Chris Ladoulis
Wildflower viewing photo Chris Ladoulis

skiing, mountain biking, hiking, wildflower

viewing, kayaking, fly-fishing and more.
Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort is
just minutes from town on the free shuttle
bus. Our town also boasts music festivals,
great restaurants, art galleries and shops.
Crested Butte hosts numerous special
events and festivities such as the Wildflower
Festival, Arts Fair, Winter Carnival and
The Crested Butte Summer Music Festival.
Whether you visit in summer, winter or
in-between, you’re sure to enjoy the
Town of Crested Butte. And while you’re
here stop by Town Hall and say hello.

Location: Southwest Colorado, 231
miles southwest of Denver and 28
miles North of Gunnison.

Altitude:

Mardi Gras Fun on Elk Ave.         photo Chris Ladoulis
Mardi Gras Fun on Elk Ave. photo Chris Ladoulis
8,885 feet
Population: 1,537
Number of Housing Units: 961 (2003)



"Denver is near the mountains, not in them.
Denver
might not be in the mountains, but the mountains dominate
Denver. There are 200 named peaks visible from Denver,
including 32 that soar to 13,000 feet and above. The mountain
panorama visible from Denver is 140 miles long. State law
prohibits building any structure that would block the view
from the State Capitol. To penetrate the mountains west of
Denver, required building the highest auto tunnel in the world
(Eisenhower Tunnel) and the longest railroad tunnel in North
America (the Moffat Tunnel)


Denver really is exactly one mile high. By incredible
good luck, there is a step on the State Capitol Building that
is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. In Denver’s rarified air,
golf balls go ten percent farther. So do cocktails. Alcoholic
drinks pack more of a wallop than at sea level. The sun feels
warmer, because you’re closer to it, but your coffee is cooler,
because water boils at 202 degrees. Mile High Denver is also
extremely dry, so it is good idea to drink more water than
normal. With less water vapor in the air at this altitude, the
sky really is bluer in Colorado. But there’s 25 percent less
protection from the sun, so sunscreen is a must."

(the prior 2 paragraphs borrowed from the website of the
Denver Metro Convention And Visitors Bureau)