Travel tips for crested butte

GETTING THERE: The best way to reach Crested Butte is by flying into Gunnison Airport. From there, Alpine Express shuttle buses are available for less than $20 each way and will take you to the door of the house, condo or hotel where you're staying. The drive from Gunnison follows Colo. 135, which ends in Crested Butte. It takes about half an hour. From Denver, the drive takes more than four hours. Take I-70 west to state Route 470 East. Then take U.S. Route 285 south to U.S. 50 west, which runs through Gunnison. From Colorado Springs, pick up U.S. 285 south via U.S. 24 west and the rest is the same as from Denver.

DINING: Crested Butte may have the best selection of restaurants for a town of its size anywhere. Higher-priced places, running from about $60-$80 for two, include Timberline (Italian-Continental), Soucon (French) and Le Bosquet (French), Buffalo Grille and Saloon (big game and steak). Medium range, from about $35-$60 for two, include The Idle Spur (big game, steak, brew pub), The Wooden Nickel (steaks and burgers), The Power House Bar y Grill (Mexican), Swiss Chalet, Slogar (Southern), Bacchanale (Italian), Lil's Land and Sea, The Black Whale (seafood). Lower-priced, from $15-$35 for two, include Teocali Tamale (Mexican), Pitas in Paradise (Mediterranean), The Last Steep (Sandwich-Salad), Brick Oven Pizza, Donita's Cantina (Mexican), The Fire House Grill (pizza's, calzones, wings).

For breakfast and lunch, there's The Ruby Mountain Bakery, Paradise Cafe, The Forest Queen, The Bakery at Mount Crested Butte and Butte Bagels.

LODGING: There are more than a dozen hotels, from full-service places like the Sheraton and Club Med to the Elk Mountain Lodge, a historic, fully renovated miner's hotel in town. Prices vary depending on season and availability. Condominium rentals also are available. For details on lodging, call (800) 810-SNOW.