Lodge Overview
The Elk Mountain Lodge is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood surrounded by historic residences, yet only two blocks from the Crested Butte’s “main street,” Elk Avenue, two blocks from the shuttle to Mt. Crested Butte Ski Area, and four blocks from the groomed Nordic ski trails.
Most guests who fly in for their stay at the lodge don’t bother with car rentals because everything is so convenient.
The Elk Mountain Lodge B&B is a jewel, one of those quiet little inns that’s perfect for small groups, and has become a favorite of ski and bicycle clubs looking for a modest yet elegant mountain trip.
A Deluxe Continental breakfast is served including rotating scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles or French toast. An assortment of breads, bagels, jam, fresh fruit, homemade granola, yogurt, fresh juice, tea, cocoa, coffee, fresh baked goods and homemade snacks are served daily.
Occasionally, you may be treated to an impromptu concert from one of the music festival events, which the lodge hosts from time to time. The lobby and social area are conveniently integrated with the bar and dining area. A well-stocked game room and library are available for those “cozy, cool mountain evenings”.
We’re Here to Help
The staff at the lodge is always available to give guests suggestions for the best local “off the beaten path” special places in the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Innkeepers are available from 7:00am to 11:00pm to assist guests in planning their high country activities. The lodge staff has a wealth of knowledge of Gunnison County. They are accustomed to going out of their way to provide guests with that “local’s” view of downhill and backcountry skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and hiking trails, and fishing holes.
A stay at The Elk Mountain Lodge is like being a member of the Innkeeper’s extended family. The recent renovation of this historic miner’s hotel still leaves the old charm of the turn of the century. For directions to the lodge and to make reservations please visit our reservations page.
View Photos or Take a Virtual Tour
A Brief History of the Lodge
This building was erected as a hotel and boardinghouse for miners working for the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company in 1919. The building was constructed of cinderblocks made using cinders from the mine slag piles and locally pressed. The building housed up to 65 boarders. A.E. Strangfeld recalls that the front porch extended across the entire width of the building and contained bench-type seats where the boarders would sit after their evening meal in the summer. Meals were served family-style in big bowls placed on the table.
The hotel then contained the only public telephone in that part of Crested Butte. Anyone in the area of the hotel who needed to make a call placed it from the hotel and incoming calls for people in that part of town were transferred to the hotel. When the Big Mine closed in 1952, CF&I began to sell off its property in Crested Butte. In 1952, Austin Yarnel bought the building from CF&I and reopened it as the Elk Mountain Lodge.
The old coal stove that was once used to heat the miner’s lodge still exists in the basement of the Elk Mountain Lodge. The original buttresses, which added support for the building, can be seen near the guest computer in the lobby. Back when miners inhabited the lodge, 2nd Street was considered Main Street and the miners walked to and from the Big Mine located on the bench behind where the Crested Butte Nordic Center exists today. Since the closing of the mine a large home has been built right on top of where many lives were lost.
In the mid-70’s the restaurant Donita’s occupied the front of the building, which is how the liquor license was acquired. During that time the front entrance was for restaurant patrons and the back entrance was used for guests to check in at the Elk Mountain Lodge. After Donita’s moved to their current location on Elk Avenue, a Chinese restaurant briefly took over the front space of the lodge.
During the early-80’s, the Elk Mountain Lodge underwent a great deal of change. The third floor of the building was added along with each room getting a private bathroom. The sunroom, where guests now enjoy breakfast, the tv room and first floor rooms were also added during this time.
We hope you enjoyed this piece of history. Thank you for staying with us and please let us know if there is anything you need.
Warmly,
Elk Mountain Lodge Staff
Guest Comments
WHAT OUR GUEST’S ARE SAYING
Don’t take our word for it,
read some of our reviews of our past guests below.
“We had a great stay at Elk Mountain Lodge! Very cozy and inviting inside…love the decor and all the plants. Friendly and welcoming staff; we appreciated the afternoon cookies, tea, and conversation. The secured bike room and outside bike wash station also made things easy. Hot tub was amazing (it’s always nice when they are functional)! Excellent location, close to everything. We will absolutely be back.”
“This is the sweetest bed and breakfast. It’s so homey and clean the service is excellent. Breakfast is delicious and was delightful to wake up to. Highly recommend staying here if you’re in the area!!”
“Nice place. Just far enough of elk street to be quiet.”
“We absolutely loved our stay here. The staff, in particular Mark, were absolutely top notch and such nice people. The breakfast was always very good and we loved all of the amenities this lodge had to offer. When we visit again, we will definitely be staying here again”
“Wonderful place to stay! Everyone is so nice and accomodating. Already booked my 2019 stay!”
“This place immediately felt like home! With its comfy couches, classy decor, piano, many plants, and the wonderful staff, I couldn’t imagine a better place to stay.”
“The Elk Mountain Lodge is a wonderful place to stay if you find yourself in the Crested Butte area. It’s location, mere blocks from the historic downtown area, is ideal for exploring Crested Butte’s restaurants and coffee shops. The hotel itself definitely retains the historic feel, while still having comfortable beds and clean rooms. The staff were also extraordinarily helpful and knowledgeable about the area. Would definitely stay again!”
Meet the Owners
Locally Owned and Operated
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.
Business Supporters
Non-profits that we support.
Chris & Traci - El Paso, TX
“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!”
Dan & Denise
Karen & Linnea Denver, CO
“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!”
Ann - Colorado
Cynthia
Don & Carrie - Silver Springs, FL
“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.”
Lisa - Boulder, CO
Lee’s Summit, MO
“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.”
The Kelley’s - Oakland, CA
Barry and Christine Miller - Bellvue, CO
The Popes- Lubbock, TX
Marcia & Phil Smith
“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!”
Doug Gertner and Maggie Miller - Denver, CO
John and Nancy Merck - Charlotte, NC
Brian & Lori - Grass Valley, CA
The Morris Family
Debbie - Asheville, NC
Kruse
Ellen Hughes - Fortmill, SC
M. Richardson
The Tyrees - Wilm, DE
M. Anders - Highlands Ranch, CO
Nick & Sharon
Marcos
Brendan Nichols, Australia
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.””
The Scrempf’s , Topeka, KS
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.”
RLKetchman, Boulder, CO
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.”
THANKS AGAIN, TX
We’ll be back – San Juans
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.”