About The Lodge

Historic lobby at Elk Mountain Lodge with a grand piano and hardwood floors in downtown Crested Butte, Colorado
About Us

A Quaint Jewel in the Heart of Crested Butte

The Elk Mountain Lodge is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood surrounded by historic residences, yet only two blocks from Crested Butte’s “main street,” Elk Avenue. We are perfectly positioned just two blocks from the shuttle to Mt. Crested Butte Ski Area and four blocks from groomed Nordic ski trails.
Deluxe Continental Breakfast
Rotating menu of scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, or French toast. Includes breads, bagels, fresh fruit, homemade granola, yogurt, and fresh baked goods.
Social Spaces
Integrated lobby, bar, and dining area. Includes a well-stocked game room and library for cozy mountain evenings.
Local Expertise
Our staff is available from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM to provide "local's" knowledge on "off the beaten path" spots for skiing, biking, hiking, and fishing.
History of the Lodge

From Miner’s Boardinghouse to Historic Landmark

Erected in 1919 as a hotel and boardinghouse for miners working for the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I), this building originally housed up to 65 boarders. It was constructed of cinderblocks made using cinders from local mine slag piles.
Elk Mountain Lodge in the 1950s
Preserved Heritage
The original coal stove used to heat the miner’s lodge still exists in the basement, and the original buttresses are visible in the lobby near the guest computer.
1919
Construction completed; featured a full-width front porch where miners gathered after meals.
1952
Following the closure of the Big Mine, Austin Yarnel purchased the building and reopened it as the Elk Mountain Lodge.
1970s
The front of the building was occupied by the restaurant Donita’s, followed briefly by a Chinese restaurant.
1980s
Major renovations added the third floor, private bathrooms for each room, the sunroom (breakfast area), and the TV room.
Owners of Elk Mountain Lodge
Meet the Owners

Locally Owned & Operated Since 2000

Mike and Amy Nolan are the proud owners of the Elk Mountain Lodge. Mike purchased the lodge in December, 2000 after managing it for 2 years and working the front desk for a year. Mike lived in the lodge for 7 years and now lives down the street in the town of Crested Butte with Amy and sons, Eli and Ty, and daughter, Finley.
Mike shares his local knowledge and enthusiasm for mountain biking, hiking, and skiing with guests of the Elk Mountain Lodge and is always happy to make suggestions for trails for you to explore.
Contact Us

Your Choice for
Crested Butte Lodging

Located one block from Elk Ave and Crested Butte's finest restaurants — ranked #1 of 11 B&Bs in the historic district on TripAdvisor.
Historic Elk Avenue shops in downtown Crested Butte, one block from Elk Mountain Lodge
Elk Mountain Lodge hotel entrance on a snowy winter evening in Crested Butte, Colorado
Cross-country skiing below Mt. Crested Butte at sunrise near Elk Mountain Lodge
Complimentary full breakfast with fresh croissants and fruit at Elk Mountain Lodge, Crested Butte
Summer wildflowers on a hiking trail in the Elk Mountains near Crested Butte, Colorado
Third-floor king room with vaulted ceiling and private balcony door at Elk Mountain Lodge, Crested Butte
Non-Profits That We Support

Supporting Our Community

The Elk Mountain Lodge is a proud supporter of local non-profits and community organizations that make Crested Butte a unique place to live and visit.
Gunnison TrailsCB DevoCBMBALiving JourneysCrested Butte Nordic CenterCBAC
Testimonials

What Our Guests Are Saying

“We love CB & Elk Mountain Lodge!Thank you so much for a wonderful stay. We love EML and will make it our place of choice when we return to CB. The staff were all friendly and helpful. Room was cozy with an incredible view. We cannot express how much we enjoyed our visit. Can’t wait to come back!”
Chris & Traci - El Paso, TX
“Don’t change anything!We love our stays at Elk Mountain. You guys are so accommodating and friendly. Thank you for being so flexible. Food’s wonderful (including afternoon cookies).”
Dan & Denise
“We had a great time! This lodge is the BEST! The location to town is perfect. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Loved the mountain biking and hiking!We’ll be back for some nordic skiing! Thank you!”
Karen & Linnea Denver, CO
“It was just great. Loved the friendliness of your staff. We’ll definitely come back.”
Ann - Colorado
“What is there to say! Everything was perfect. Your lovely lodge feels like a miniature Crested Butte – the atmosphere is the same – friendly – cozy. Thank you!”
Cynthia
“What could be sweeter than arriving to the welcome of “home” after hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte? Cookies in a jar, tea for me, and beer for my friend. We relaxed with the owners as if we were company in their living room.”
Don & Carrie - Silver Springs, FL
“We loved our sty here. It’s difficult to leave. The food is delicious. Everyone is so friendly and helpful.”
Lisa - Boulder, CO
“The improvements to this building are lovely – and in keeping with the beauty of the town. Thank you for allowing us to share in the “Beauty” of your town.”
Lee’s Summit, MO
“A Brief note to thank everyone for an amazingly, relaxing stay.The “sitting” room, breakfast, hot tea, computer, and cozy room allowed us ample opportunity to decompress.Thank you for a lovely visit and keep up the hard work – it IS noticed!”
The Kelley’s - Oakland, CA
“This is our fourth year at the Elk Mountain. We love it here and will continue to return until our hiking and biking legs give out.The rooms here are comfortable but not too fussy, and the breakfasts are tasty. Keep up the good work!”
Barry and Christine Miller - Bellvue, CO
“We will try our best to come back!The staff was charming and helpful, the bed linens were comfortableand breakfast was a treat. Thank you!”
The Popes- Lubbock, TX
“What a wonderful lodge! We enjoyed our stay and will come back!Everyone was so helpful… Mike – Thanks for helping with our reservations. Xochitl – Our room was very well kept. Kitchen Staff – breakfast was delicious. Brian – Thanks for all your help at arrival and for the extra cooking of a plain old scrambled egg for my ailing spouse – she loved it! We’ll see you again next year!”
Marcia & Phil Smith
“Thanks again for making our reservation so far in advance.The room is perfect for our family and The Lodge is great in every way. Staff took good care, breakfast was all that we needed and hot tub was what we needed after a day on the mountain.”
Doug Gertner and Maggie Miller - Denver, CO
“We enjoyed our stay and hope to return sometime.”
John and Nancy Merck - Charlotte, NC
“What a charming hotel. Thanks for the breakfast too!Tank you so much. It’s great! The young man named “Brian” at the front desk was wonderful! He is a nice guy!P.S. Thanks for the computer and piano.”
Brian & Lori - Grass Valley, CA
“As always, Elk Mountain Lodge provided us with an inviting, friendly atmosphere and happy memories.”
The Morris Family
“Our stay was great. The staff was wonderful.Erin was so happy and sweet that it was infectious!”
Debbie - Asheville, NC
“Great stay – love your lodgeWill definitely be back again!”
Kruse
“Thank you for a wonderful stay. Everyone was very helpful and nice.”
Ellen Hughes - Fortmill, SC
“The Guest Room was perfect. The pillows divine. And the bed. Felt like it was mine!”
M. Richardson
“This was a great B&B. Thanks for your great gift of hospitality down to the last detail. We love the balcony and view! Breakfasts were delicious.”
The Tyrees - Wilm, DE
“Everything was great here. We will be back. The gentleman at the front desk was / is a great addition to your establishment – very cordial and helpful.”
M. Anders - Highlands Ranch, CO
“A great stay! From the entrance with Brian (delightful) to our exit – Great beds, shower, etc. We’d love to come again.”
Nick & Sharon
“Great Place! We will come back and also recommend to friends.”
Marcos
“The Elk Mountain Lodge is simply a gem in one of the prettiest towns in The US.” It provides a rare combination of old world charm with modern convenience. The staff are friendly and the breakfast is the kind that is normally reserved for upmarket hotels. Tucked just away from the town’s main street in a quiet locale, yet only a minute’s walk to great shopping and the bus that takes you straight to the ski resort. There are lots of surprises inside too. Sit in front of the fire in the big cozy chairs or enjoy the quiet of the ‘library room’. There is plenty here for everyone. It is one of the town’s best kept secrets. If you want to avoid a “sterile, zero charm” hotel but still be in great surrounds then the Elk Mountain Lodge is the place. Having travelled all over the world this is highly recommended.”
Brendan Nichols, Australia
“The Elk Mountain Lodge was simply a great place to visit! Located just off the main street running through historic Crested Butte, the Lodge offered easy access to trails, dining, shopping and more. We enjoyed the comfortable rooms, took advantage of the on-site hot tub, sipped hot tea next to the fireplace and borrowed the Lodge’s townie bikes to cruise through the streets. The Lodge was warm and inviting on the cool, crisp days.”
The Scrempf’s , Topeka, KS
“My husband and I spent our 5th wedding anniversary in Crested Butte, CO. We chose to stay at the Elk Mountain Lodge for two nights. We wanted something more personal than a large hotel but less personal than a small B&B. The Elk Mountain Lodge is the perfect combination of intimacy and anonymity. We had a third floor room with a balcony and amazing view of the mountains. Our queen bed was quite possibly the most comfortable hotel bed I have ever slept on (and I was at the Broadmoor two weeks before!), The proprietor was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the town and bike trails for my mountain biking loving husband. The breakfast was plentiful, delicious and offered a wide variety of choices. The evening fire in the main room warmed us after a frosty walk home from town. (It snowed that night.) Location: ideal. We were only three blocks from the main street. We didn’t have to drive our car at all. In a nutshell, the Elk Mountain Lodge offers a historic, comfortable, cozy home away from home. If you like rustic charm and mountaintown friendliness this is the place to stay.”
RLKetchman, Boulder, CO
“Your service was outstanding and we loved the true charm. We’ll be back and recommend this place to our friends!”
THANKS AGAIN, TX
“Loved the Elk Mountain Lodge It is a great spot to enjoy breakfast in the sun in the morning or sit by the fireside at night with a glass of wine after a long day of recreating. The historical nature of the building and decor adds to the quintessential Crested Butte experience.”
We’ll be back – San Juans