Madi in the Wild

With the sky still dark, I followed the flickering lights of a rickety old truck parked outside my accommodation. The side of the car read “Birding Trips - Quetzal.” Perfect!  I’m off to a great start. The truck looked like a budget safari ride. Metal poles jutting from the bed, more Mad Max than National Geographic. I climbed in, trying to ignore the slightly terrifying vibe, thankful for my tetanus shot, and hopeful for the journey ahead. The goal? Finding quetzals in Guate

This guide is for anyone planning a winter weekend in Crested Butte, whether you’re chasing powder, traveling with non-skiers, or want a cozy mountain town that still feels real. Maybe it’s the snow-covered mountain pass you cross to get there, or the locals casually training for Olympic-level competitions before grabbing coffee downtown. Whatever it is, Crested Butte has a kind of quiet magic that’s hard to explain until you experience it for yourself.