Alley Loop is just around the corner

An American Birkebeiner qualifier, with a twist: The Alley Loop is also Crested Butte’s largest costume party and one of the biggest Nordic ski races in Colorado. The Alley Loop is on Saturday, February 6 and has everything for Nordic skiers both classic and skate, from competitive racers to never-evers. The unique course starts and finishes in the heart of downtown Crested Butte and meanders through snow-lined alleys, behind false-fronted stores and restaurants, over footbridges and alongside residences. The course then heads out to the immaculately groomed Nordic trails around the town of Crested Butte.

Volunteers needed

It takes a ton of people to put on a major ski race in the middle of town. Visit cbnordic.org to sign up and volunteer. We’ll take care of you and you’ll get into the Crested Butte Nordic year-end volunteer party!

$5,000 prize purse

For the 42K skate race—men and women

1st: $1000

2nd: $500

3rd: $300

4th: $200

5th: $100

King and Queen of the Loop (First 42k Skate Lap): $400

Best costume

Awarded by Montanya Distillers.

SkiGo wax service

Alley Loop SkiGo wax service is on a first-come, first-served basis. This service is provided by Crested Butte Nordic in partnership with Boulder Nordic Sport. For the fastest skis, sign up for the pro service. We will be servicing a maximum of 50 pairs of skis. To reserve your spot, call the front desk at (970) 349-1707 or email [email protected].

Please try to drop your skis off at the Crested Butte Nordic Center located at Second and Whiterock on Thursday afternoon or on Friday morning if you must. All skis must be dropped off by noon on Friday, January 6. Any skis not received by this time will be crossed off the list.

Wax service offerings are as follows:

Basic LF: For recreational skiers; $29. An application of the low fluorocarbon wax of the day.

Racer HF: $45. An application of low fluorocarbon graphite with a topcoat of the high fluorocarbon wax of the day.

Pro Service: For the fastest skis out there, $75. A hydrocarbon base layer, an application of the high fluorocarbon wax of the day, and a top coat of pure fluorocarbon powder.

The Alley Loop Pub Ski

Pre-registration $20; walk-up registration $25. The Pub-Ski is a pub crawl on skis! With Crested Butte’s main drag, Elk Avenue, shut down and full of snow, competitors ski between participating drinking establishments in this novel “ski” competition.

You’ll answer trivia, undertake a challenge, or do something plain nutty to earn points at the various venues. Be sure to wear a costume to receive bonus pub points! The group with the highest points will be awarded with illustrious Pub Ski Champion prizes.

The crawl will kick off at Montanya Distillers beginning at 5 p.m. Pub-ski wraps up at 7 p.m. with an awards presentation at Montanya Distillers. Pub Ski participation is limited to 200 competitors. Ensure your entry by pre-registering online.