Gunnison/Crested Butte Colorado Family Activity
Guide Winter 2006
Kid Friendly Activities in the Valley
We take every chance we can to celebrate, and usually in crazy costumes. From the holidays to ski races to Mardi Gras, it's all a party. Don't be surprised when the skier or boarder who wins the Big Air Competition at Winter Carnival is wearing a pink tutu.
Sugar Plum Arts Festival
This event will feature a display of handmade arts and crafts in the County
Multipurpose Building in Gunnison from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on 11/18.
The Holiday Bazaar
Head over to the CB Community School on 12/2 and support local artists
and craftsmen while you do a little holiday shopping. Enjoy delicious
refreshments and get pictures taken with Santa.
10K Classic and 10K Skate Citizens Race
These timed races in a relaxing
atmosphere are offered for visitors and locals by the Crested Butte Nordic
Center (CBNC) on 12/2 (classic) and 12/9 (skate). Children's races begin
at 9:30 a.m. with a fee of $5. Adult races begin at 10 a.m. with a fee
of $12, or $10 for pass holders. Call 970-349-1707 for more information.
Mountain Kids Magazine photo. © 2006
Click for larger photo.
Rocky Mountain Holidays
This Crested Butte holiday celebration offers a variety of festive activities
taking place 12/7-23. A few events include A Treasure Hunt, pictures with
Santa, the tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas parade, best snowman contest,
story time, and cookies and cocoa with Father Christmas at the Heritage
Museum. Activities that will allow parents a little time to do some holiday
shopping include chaperoned kids
matinee viewings of Rudolph and Frosty at the Majestic Theatre and Parents
Night Out. As dates and times for these activities are still tentative,
please call the CB Chamber of Commerce at 970-349-6438 or visit www.cbchamber.com
closer to the holiday season.
Gunnison Night of Lights
This celebration brings downtown Gunnison alive with music, beautiful
light sculptures, and a visit from Santa. The festivities begin at 5:30
p.m. on 12/1. Make sure your kids get there in time to help Santa light
the giant Christmas tree.
Skiathalon
Held by the CBNC on 12/16, this race combines classic and skate skiing.
Race times and fees are the same as the Citizen Races. Call 970-349-1707
for details.
Lobar's First Annual Baby + Toddler
Holiday Disco, 12/17, 2-5 p.m.
Dress up in your holiday hip/disco chic clothes
and come dance with the family at the Lobar in downtown Crested Butte.
"DJ-Diaper" will be spinning the hottest disco and holiday favorites.
There will be six plasma screens showing holiday cartoons, candy, nibble
and small bites for the whole family, free kiddie cocktails, dance floor
open for the children, cash bar for adults, and a private "VIP"
lounge for discreet bottle service. Mom and Dad - enjoy a holiday dance
with the kids! Crawling kids get in free! Adults $7, Kids $4. For more
information and advance ticket sales call Kai at 970-209-5159.
CB Youth Holiday Hockey Camp
This great early season training tool, sponsored by the Wooden Nickel,
is free for all junior participants from CB and Gunnison. Held 12/18-20
at 4-5 p.m. for Mites/Squirts, 5-6:15 p.m. for Peewees/Bantams, and 6:15-7:30
p.m. for Midgets.
Torchlight Parade
Head up to the ski base area before dusk on Christmas Eve to view this
beautiful spectacle of lights. CB Mountain Schools take part and lead
from the top of the Silver Queen lift down to the base area.
New Year's Eve celebration and fireworks
A fun-filled evening at CBMR includes a torchlight parade, spectacular
fireworks display with a mountain backdrop, and tons of fun!
Sports Illustrated For Kids Next Snow Search
Everyone competes together in this single-class race in which personality,
attitude, and style play an important role. Held 1/6 Male and female skiers
and snowboarders as well as adaptive athletes ages 9-13 are welcome to
compete.
Rocky Mountain Division Age Class Race
This open-age class race (ages 8-13) takes place on 1/7. For more information
call the Crested Butte Ski and Snowboard Club at 970-349-2996.
21st Annual Alley Loop Cross Country Ski Race
Join the locals' favorite Nordic race of the year on 2/3 and wind through
Crested Butte's historic alleyways in a 5, 10, 21 or 42K marathon. Open
to racers of all ages and abilities, this is also a great spectators event.
A Winter Carnival is tentative at this point, but is held the same weekend
as the Alley Loop. Call the CB Chamber for more information at 970-349-6438
or visit www.cbchamber.com.
Mardi Gras
The next best thing to NOLA'S original is Crested Butte's family-friendly
five-day bash from 2/16-20. Festivities include a Fat Tuesday Parade on
Elk Ave., the Masquerade Ball, as well as lots of live music. So break
out your beads, masks, and green, purple and gold, and head downtown for
a jazz'n good time!
USSA Race-Dan Prater Memorial Cup
Athletes ages 11-12 compete in this three-event, five-race series to qualify
for the Junior Olympics. The Central/Rocky Mountain Division is held at
CBMR 2/22-25.
Wendi Fisher's "Fishski" Camp for Girls
A wonderful opportunity for girls ages 12-17 to attend this freeskiing
camp hosted by Wendi Fisher; former US Ski Team Member, 2005 Freeskiing
Champion, 1992 Olympian, and two time World Freeskiing champion. Held
on 12/23-24 and 2/17-18. Call 970-209-0256 or visit www.fishski.com
for more information.
Bonfire Dinner
At this CBNC hosted event, participants can ski or snowshoe from course
to course in this unique dining experience. Seating times are 5, 5:30,
6 and 6:30 p.m. on Friday 3/16 at the Town Ranch Trails (behind the CB
Community School). Proceeds benefit CB Junior Nordic Team. $35 for adults
and $15 for children.
Mountain Kids Magazine, LLC, P.O. Box 1442,
Crested Butte, CO 81224