Scarp Ridge Lodge
In Crested Butte, a historic Victorian with a colorful past reopens its doors to guests who seek the ultimate in luxury and adventure
The site of Polka Parties and Bar Brawls might seem like an unlikely venue for an ultra-luxe inn, but hardly anything about Scarp Ridge Lodge in Crested Butte, Colorado, is typical.
The two-story Victorian structure—which had previous incarnations as a miners’ club, dance hall and saloon—was completely remodeled to add modern amenities while keeping its historical character intact. Glass-inlaid oak doors from the 1880s open into the 13,000-square-foot inn’s main living area, where the décor is a surprisingly urban mix of luxurious fabrics and soft neutrals with rustic wood and stone.
The lodge is the flagship property of Eleven Experience, a Colorado-based travel company that caters to guests who want road-less-traveled excursions by day and five-star-hotel pampering by night—all delivered with a personal touch. Located in the heart of historic downtown Crested Butte, it includes five king suites, a bunkroom that sleeps seven, a nanny’s room, an indoor saltwater lap pool, steam room, sauna, rooftop hot tub, an oxygen enrichment system (great for keeping altitude sickness at bay), a media room and commercial-grade kitchen. Guests rent the entire property and have the run of the whole house, with a staff on hand to take care of every need—and the occasional whim.
“We try to take care of every single detail so our guests can focus on family and the adventures at hand,” says marketing director Jenny Jeffery. From the moment guests arrive at the Gunnison airport, a private staff attends to everything from toting luggage to arranging unforgettable adventures. This level of luxury comes with a price tag to match, but virtually everything is included.
Guests who come to ski, for instance, are outfitted with high-tech equipment, then whisked off to the company’s private ski area (which offers more than 1,000 acres of pristine terrain) on a snowcat decked out with leather seats, surround-sound and a flat-screen television. On the slopes, private guides offer pointers on navigating deep powder, and a gourmet lunch and après-ski cocktails are served mountainside.
The lodge’s affable guides are happy to arrange whatever adventures guests want to try—from fly-fishing on the Taylor River or rock climbing in summertime to a snowshoeing expedition or dog-sledding trek in the winter. “We create bespoke travel itineraries,” Jeffery says.
If you go:
Price Point $12,500 a night may sound steep, but the rate is
all-inclusive, based on 10-person occupancy, and includes a personal
lodge manager, transportation, all activities, guide service, equipment
and gear, personal chef and daily made-to-order breakfast, snacks
and lunch; dinner not included.
Contact 866-479-4677, elevenexperience.com/scarp-ridge-lodge
