About Irwin Guides
Irwin Guides is the Crested Butte area's most respected backcountry adventure company, specializing in guided skiing, snowboarding, and summer alpine experiences in the spectacular Elk Mountains and Ruby Range surrounding the Gunnison Valley. Founded by professional mountain guides, the company has set the standard for backcountry access in one of Colorado's most dramatic mountain landscapes.
Their winter lineup includes backcountry ski touring, splitboard tours, avalanche education courses, and snowcat skiing in the legendary Irwin Basin — a massive powder stash that receives some of the deepest snowfall in Colorado. In summer, they pivot to guided hiking, rock climbing, peak ascents of nearby 14ers and 13ers, and wildflower hikes through the famous Crested Butte wildflower meadows. All trips are led by certified guides with extensive local knowledge and wilderness medical training.
Irwin Guides' reputation is built on access to terrain that most visitors would never find on their own. The Irwin Basin snowcat skiing operation, in particular, offers a powder experience that rivals heli-skiing at a fraction of the cost. Their guides are among the most credentialed in Colorado, and the company's commitment to small group sizes ensures a personalized, immersive mountain experience.
