Crested Butte Mountain Resort
CO · 12,162 ft summit · GUC
NWS Grade
2025–26 Season Snapshot
Storms This Season
74
storms tracked
Season Snowfall
13"
calibrated total
Best Storm
13/100
Tracked
Current Snowpack
0"
580:CO:SNTL
Avg Daily Rate
0.2"/day
storms with data
Season SWE
0.2"
snow water equivalent
NWS Forecast Accuracy
NWS overpredicts by 100% at Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Our calibrated estimates are based on 2 verified storms. When NWS says 12 inches, reality is closer to 0 inches. Don't book flights based on NWS numbers alone.
With only 2 storms, both from the same date (2026-03-15) with nearly identical parameters and 100% forecast error, confidence in rules is low. Pattern suggests NWS marginal forecasts (< 0.5 in) at high snow levels and warm temperatures are unreliable. Recommend collecting more spring storm cases before operationalizing adjustments.
Based on 2 verified storms · SNOTEL ground truth (580:CO:SNTL)
Storm History — 2025–26 Season
Apr 17 – Apr 17
NWS Forecast
1.1"
Calibrated
0.1"
Actual (SNOTEL)
Pending
Density: Average
Rate: 0.1"/day
Apr 17 – Apr 17
NWS Forecast
0.9"
Calibrated
0.1"
Actual (SNOTEL)
Pending
Density: Average
Rate: 0.1"/day
Apr 15 – Apr 15
NWS Forecast
0.1"
Calibrated
—
Actual (SNOTEL)
Pending
Density: Ultra-Light
Show 71 more storms
Apr 15 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 15 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 15 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 14 – Apr 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 13 – Apr 14
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 13 – Apr 13
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 3 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 2 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 3
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 1" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 1" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 1" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 1" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 2
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Apr 1 – Apr 1
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Mar 15 – Mar 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Mar 15 – Mar 15
Level 1 · 0" calibrated
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelStorm Day Strategy
Crested Butte receives inconsistent snowfall from major storms due to geographic positioning between storm tracks. Storm warnings often overestimate actual totals. When zonal atmospheric patterns align, CB performs as well as other Colorado resorts. Schofield/Lake Irwin area and backcountry/snowmachine access becomes primary powder objective during storms. Plan for base building rather than deep powder conditions; 40-inch storms are not the norm.
Terrain Opening Patterns
East River
Opens: Late December
Promised opening at Christmas 2017, didn't open until around Dec 28th. New Year crowds affected availability.
High lift (upper mountain terrain)
Opens: Variable - delayed during low snowpack seasons
2021-02-04 post notes one of better openings after rope drop on high lift. Timing depends on snowpack stability and avy cycle completion.
Powder Stashes
Rabbit Ears
CB terrain
Popular for hammering runs; maintains snow quality
Trees/Backcountry
Thicker tree areas
Needs 20+ inches to clear downfall accumulation; compared favorably to Wolf Creek BC conditions
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Based on 109 community reports · 2018-01-04 → 2026-03-11
Road & Access
CO-135 / Crested Butte
OpenHistorical Patterns
Temperature effect: Both storms occurred near the marginal freezing threshold (avg 28.8°F, max 37.2°F). High daytime temperatures appear to suppress accumulation despite NWS forecasts; possible rain-on-snow or melting of fresh precipitation.
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