The Alley Loop Guide

Due to low snow in town, the Alley Loop course has been slightly modified and the following changes will take place.  Check cbnordic.org for the latest details. Please note, the skiing on the trails is as good as it gets and there will be plenty of skiing through the streets and alleys of town!
The Nordic Marathon will start and finish at the Crested Butte Nordic Center and the course will still go through several of the streets and alleys of town continuing out onto Magic Meadows. Modified maps are available at cbnordic.org. The skiing on the trail system itself is as good as it gets.

Thursday, February 5, all day: Ski Go Wax Service
The Nordic Center will be providing a professional wax service for 50 pairs of skis. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Options include Basic LF ($29), Racer HF ($45), and Pro Service ($75). Pro Service will be provided from a Boulder Nordic Sport wax tech. To reserve your spot, call the front desk at (970) 349-1707 or email [email protected]. Ski drop-off is at the Crested Butte Nordic Center located at Second and Whiterock on Thursday, February 5.

Friday, February 6: Fat Bike Race
Same-day registration for the Fat Bike race starts at the Brick Oven Pizzeria at 2 p.m. The solo race ($15 entry) will begin at 3 p.m. and will be 90 minutes plus one lap. The team/relay race ($30 entry) begins at 3:10 p.m. and is 80 minutes plus one lap. In the team/relay race, teams of two, three or four can share one bike. To reserve a fat bike rental email [email protected]. For more information and to register, visit cbchamber.com. Stay up to date by following Gunnison Crested Butte Fat Bikers on Facebook.

Pub Ski
The Pub Ski will be a crawl as there will not be snow on Elk Avenue, but don’t think that we will just let you walk around. The route will be on Elk between Second and Third and will be pre-assigned. Do this in a group of four or do it on your own. You will play a game, do something nutty, or answer a trivia question at six of the 10 bars to earn points. The person or group with the highest points will win a special prize! Wear a costume to receive additional pub points!
Entry is $20 per person. Event space is limited to 200—ensure your entry by pre-registering online. Pub Ski bib pick up on Friday will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Queen of All Saints–Parish Hall, located at 401 Sopris Avenue. The crawl will then kick off at Montanya Distillers at 5 p.m. The pub-ski ends at 7 p.m., with awards to follow.

Nordic Marathon bib pick-up and last minute registration
Nordic Marathon bib pick-up and last minute registration will be at the Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall from 3 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 7: Alley Loop Nordic Race
There will be a Nordic Marathon bib pickup at the Nordic Center from 8 to 10 a.m. The Alley Loop Nordic Marathon is part of the American Ski Marathon Series and an American Birkebeiner qualifying race, and the Alley Loop is also Crested Butte’s largest costume party and biggest Nordic event of the year. The Alley Loop’s unique course starts and finishes at the Crested Butte Nordic Center. In between it meanders through snow-lined alleys, behind false-fronted stores and restaurants, over footbridges and alongside residences. The course then heads out to the expertly groomed Nordic trails on the pristine outskirts of Crested Butte. And, don’t forget your costumes as the best Alley Loop costumes will be rewarded by Montanya Distillers, the Last Steep, the Brick Oven and the Boomerang.

Start times
9:30 a.m., 3 km Kids’ Race
9:31 a.m., 1.5 km Kids’ Race
9:40 a.m., 42 km Classic Race
10 a.m., 42 km Skate Race
10:05 a.m., 21 km Freestyle Race
10:05 a.m., 21 km Classic Race
10:15 a.m., 10 km Freestyle Race
10:20 a.m., 5 km Freestyle Race
11:30 a.m., Kids’ awards at Nordic Center
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Elevation Beer Garden at the Nordic Center
12:45 p.m., 42k Classic 3rd lap cutoff
1 p.m., 42k
3 p.m. Race cutoff time
4 p.m., Nordic Marathon Awards Ceremony and Raffle at Bonez

Volunteer
Not interested in skiing? We need volunteers! It takes numerous folks to put on this funky classic Crested Butte race. Positions range from pre-race organization to day-of-race course marshals, aid stations, start, finish, awards, etc. We need you! Sign up to volunteer online at cbnordic.org.