“We’ve concentrated our efforts on enhancements that will resonate with our guests,” said Ethan Mueller, vice president and general manager of CBMR. “The new Zipline Tour is a great example; it has been a huge hit this summer and we have no doubt it will offer a memorable winter adventure opportunity.”

The new Crested Butte Zipline Tour opened June 28 after much anticipation and more spring snow than anticipated. The guided tour includes five zip lines and three suspended bridges that have been uniquely adapted to accommodate winter operations. The Crested Butte Zipline Tour is available during the summer, fall and winter seasons; the resort will offer the only guided zipline tour at a Colorado ski resort, and one of the only winter canopy tour operations in the state.

Renovations to the Paradise Warming House, CBMR’s mid-mountain cafeteria-style on-mountain restaurant, include a food line redesign and an updated look and feel. The remodel will improve service and use of space, while preserving the casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere that Crested Butte is famous for. CBMR will update its rental fleet with new high-end demo skis and snowboards, featuring brands such as Rossignol, Salomon, RAMP, Nordica, Atomic, and 4-frnt. The resort is also purchasing new Burton Learn-to-Ride (LTR) snowboards, to enhance the women’s and children’s fleets.

And, thanks to the resort’s new partnership with Patagonia, CBMR retail outlets will carry an entire line from this stand-out outdoor apparel manufacturer and staff will be outfitted in new uniforms featuring Gore-Tex® throughout the next two years.

In addition to all of the capital improvements that have taken place since the Muellers joined the resort, CBMR has made great strides in becoming a “greener” resort. In 2010, CBMR joined the Colorado Industrial Energy Challenge (CIEC), as one of 13 charter members in the state. By signing on, the resort committed to reducing energy consumption by two percent each year for five consecutive years, using 2008 as the base year. In June of 2011, CBMR won the Excellence in Energy Efficiency award from Governor John Hickenlooper and the Governor’s Energy Office for reducing energy use by 18.9 percent in the first year.

USA Pro Cycling Challenge a Huge Success
“Crested Butte was unbelievable. It was a home run,” said Sean Petty, the chief operating officer of USA Cycling, the governing body for the sport in the United States. “To see this on a Tuesday afternoon and experience the finish was great for a first-year event. It felt like a stage in the Tour de France.”

“Everyone had a smile. Everyone had a blast. Everyone was screaming at the finish line. That in itself says success,” said local organizing committee co-chair Aaron Huckstep.  His counterpart, Dave Ochs, seconded the sentiment. “Hot damn. It happened and it happened well,” he said. “The production guys say we get a 99.9, and they said they never give out accolades that high.”

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Paragon People’s Fair – Sept. 3rd and 4th
If you haven’t been to Crested Butte to experience the homespun cultural experience of People’s Fair then you haven’t seen this awesome town at it’s finest! For the past 20 years the Paragon Gallery artists have hosted the this annual event, an eclectic mix of 70 booths selling unique regional arts and crafts, collectibles and antiques, preserved food from local gardens, music, and more in a fun, family oriented environment. Reasonably priced items make this fair affordable for everyone and a must for treasure hunters!

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Mt. Crested Butte Fall Festival of Beers and Chili Cook-Off – Sept. 10th

With 15+ breweries expected to attend and former Widespread Panic guitarist Sam Holt and his all star band on tap, the Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte Chamber is gearing up for another awesome Mt.Crested Butte Fall Festival of Beers and Chili Cook-off. Gates open at noon on Saturday, September 10th,  and the festivities go until 6PM. Admission is only $25 for chili sampling (from noon-2, while supplies last), an unlimited beer tasting from noon-3, and music from Better Late Than Never, The Springdale Quartet, and the Sam Holt Band!

Do you have a first-rate or unusual chili recipe?  If so, participate in the chili contest, which is free to enter. All you need to do is make up 3 gallons of your best and bring it to the festival where attendees will vote on their favorite chili in the following categories: International Chili Society Red (No Beans or Fillers), Anything Goes, Professionals Only (Restaurant Owners and Chefs) Vegetarian, and Green. Winners of each category will receive great prizes, and the overall winner gets $150. Chili participants get two free and two 1/2 price entries to the Festival. Be safe and take Mountain Express or utilize the free Safe Ride service. If you are interested in participating in the Chili Cook-off, or if you would like to volunteer and receive free admittance to the event, then please stop by the Chamber or call Scott at 349-6438.

22nd Annual Superfly 2011 – Sept. 9th and 10th

Join the Gunnison Chapter of Trout Unlimited for the 22nd Annual SUPERFLY 2011! September 9-10
Teams of 2 anglers each will fish private and public water to compete for the most inches of trout. A classic 2-fly contest, which includes a commemorative shirt & hat, reception Friday night, breakfast, lunch and a barbeque dinner Saturday night. Entry fee is $500 per team.

If you are not fishing in Superfly but would like to attend for the barbeque 6:30 Saturday night at The Almont Resort, tickets are available for $20 each. Following the banquet will be the awards ceremony, prizes for the winners then the raffle & auction items will be awarded. Partial proceeds from Superfly will fund the Colorado Trout Unlimited Youth Conservation Camp in 2012.

All the details, rules and schedule for Superfly are on our web site at GunnisonTU.org. But please don’t hesitate to contact Mark Day at 970-641-7404 with any questions you may have.

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Vinotok – Sept. 24th

The community puts the Grump on trial with harvest maiden dances, and a play of the Harvest Mother, Dragon, Knight and Green Man. The performance is amplified and lit so the community can hear and see the tale on the temporary stage located at Elk Avenue in front of the Eldo at 7:30 p.m.

For a complete list of Crested Butte and Gunnison activities please click here.