Al Johnson Race back to full strength

Let ‘em run!

[  by Stan Cola  ]

The AJ is back! Dust off those Telemark skis just one more time as the 48th Annual Al Johnson Memorial Uphill/Downhill Telemark Ski Race is slated for Saturday, March 19. 

Racers will climb 660 vertical feet, followed by a 1,200-foot descent through Crested Butte’s infamous Extreme Terrain, all while sporting their best costumes and Telemark gear. There will be sweat, screams, hoots, hollers, prizes, glory and costumes you’ll never forget. Come to the race or come to watch, just make sure you’re there on March 19!

Registration is $40 and available online at eventbrite.com (just search Al Johnson race) or the day of the race during check in and bib pick up in the Adventure Center in Mountaineer Square from 8-10 a.m. A portion of race proceeds to benefit the Crested Butte Avalanche Center.

The tag team race starts at noon with the individual race starting at 1 p.m. 

Don’t have a pass? CBMR is offering $50 lift tickets for competitors that will be available at the Adventure Center during check-in and bib pick-up. Awards ceremony and raffle will take place at the after-party 3-5 p.m. on the Butte 66 deck with DJ David Vorhees. There are prizes for first and second place in both the tag team and individual races as well as best costume 60th anniversary theme and best costume overall.

But before all of that, take the time to remember how Al Johnson got so famous as the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum presents the play Let ‘Em Run, The Great Ski Race of 1886 Friday and Saturday, March 11-12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 for museum members and will unlock the story of how Al Johnson gained notoriety and continues to be remembered with the annual Al Johnson race. Tickets and information available online at crestedbuttemusem.com.

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