The Nordic News

A promising start to the season quickly fell flat as the burst of productive storm cycles diminished to a trickle. Nevertheless, we are keeping our eyes on the season ahead with faith that snow will be here the near future. By now many of you have gone for a cruise or two up around Lily Lake, an option we’re so grateful to have. Coverage has been holding well up there, and we were recently granted a USFS permit for grooming! See details below for the latest on trail conditions

This past Saturday marked our opening for the winter season of 2022/2023. We do not have trails in town open just yet, but that doesn’t stop us from getting excited for the good times to come. Join us by getting ready for snow! Please note, we are currently only renting snowshoes until town trails are ready to ski.

What can you do to get ready for skiing?

• Pick up your Season Pass – or bring in the old one! The Nordic Center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and there are no lines. We can have you in and out in a jiffy, ready to ski the second we have trails. In keeping with our effort to reduce plastic waste, if you bring in your old pass, we will update it with a 2022-2023 sticker. Save the plastic; save the planet!
• Clean out your old wax kit. Toss out those random bits of wax and ski parts! Start the season right with a fresh kit. Use kick wax and glide wax that suits the skiing you do these days. Make the switch to fluoro-free wax to help keep toxins out of the clean water in our ecosystems. Get yourself a pocket rub-on wax to help with the variable early-season conditions (reduces globbing on your skis).
• Run with poles. Maybe not your go-to activity, but running with poles is great for engaging your upper body and core. Find yourself a mountain and “ski walk” up it, using your poles to help propel you forward.
• Do balance exercises. Waiting in line at the post office? Stand on one foot. Picking up after your kids? Do it on one foot! Balance is essential to nordic skiing, so find creative ways to build balance by standing (or jumping) on one foot. The more you can balance in motion the better!
• Plan your winter. Book your yurt dinners, lessons, tours, & race registrations now so things don’t fill up. Most of our programs and events (that are not yet full) are currently accepting reservations.

Read on for more suggestions on how to get more out of winter while we’re playing the waiting game for more snow!

• Dogs are welcome, but not all people love your dog as much as you do. Remember to bring a leash to avoid any conflicts and bring poo bags to keep the trails clean.
• Parking is tight up there and may require 4-wheel drive capabilities. DO park at the Y and walk rather than parking on the roadway. Parking on the road inhibits essential road work activity and is illegal.
• Early season conditions exist. This is USFS land and we are grooming, but that doesn’t mean that off-trail exploring is encouraged. Dormant vegetation is fragile under the snow and there are still plenty of unburied rocks and logs that can cause damage to skis, knees, and ankles. Please keep yourself safe and steward our beautiful outdoors by sticking to groomed trails.

The incredible Alley Loop is set for February 4, 2023. This year, we will be continuing with the original one day format with the newly adjusted 5K start time to allow distance racers to enjoy a costume-round with family and friends in the afternoon. Check out the schedule online and be sure to register soon for 25% off! Prices go up to full price on Nov. 25.

Join us for the best learn-to-ski weekend in the country! Our annual Thanksgiving Camp is open for registration and we’re feeling positive about our potential to host clinics up around Lily Lake if we’re not blessed with enough snow to ski the Bench. Whether you’re an advanced skier with a lifetime of experience or completely new to the sport, we’ve got something for everyone who wants to develop their skills in nordic skiing. Check out our schedule online or click the link below to register.

You can wax your skis yourself or drop them off at the Nordic Center for a wax or hot box service ($15 off until Dec. 12). If you would like to learn to do this yourself, our staff can help you choose the appropriate wax and tools. If that sounds like too much, keep it simple, let us do it for you. Skis can be dropped off at the Nordic Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m, seven days a week.

Colorado Gives Day enables your gift to do more for the nonprofits you love. The $1.4 million Incentive Fund boosts your gift, adding to the total each nonprofit receives. You can schedule your gift now and it still counts towards our share of the fund. If you’re planning a year-end gift to CB Nordic or you’re ready to contribute to The Outpost (our new building!), please give via Colorado Gives Day. You’re doing good, and that good gets magnified!

In continuing our long partnership with Montanya Rum, we’re happy to announce another season of sponsorship from our local rum distillers. Women owned, sustainability motivated, and locally crafted, Montanya invests in their community in a number of ways, not least of which is supporting your community Nordic Center. Visit their tasting room at 204 Elk Ave. or check them out online. You can also enjoy Montanya Rum cocktails at every one of our yurt dinners!

Set your alarms for 12/01 at 12:01 a.m. to claim a spot in the Grand Traverse Ski 2023. Need more incentive? If you’re one of the first 100 teams to register, you’ll be entered in our Dyanfit Set for Success Giveaway! That’s a full ski kit including skis, boots, and bindings. Plus, you’ll win 2-nights lodging at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base Area over race weekend. All the more reason to step into this iconic race and start your preparations now.

The Crested Butte Nordic Team is looking for volunteers and paid coaches for our afterschool programs. We need folks to ski with our 1st through 5th grade groups on Mondays (3:45 – 5:30 p.m.) and Wednesdays (2:15-4 p.m.) starting in early December and running through mid-March. 

Volunteer two days/week and receive a season pass for your efforts. If you already have a season pass we will refund you! Volunteering with our junior programs is a fun way to get outside all winter long. Our coaches and athletes are dedicated, fun-loving, and geared towards learning! Contact [email protected] if interested or learn more about job opportunities.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Crested Butte Nordic depends on your support to keep our trails world-class and our programs top-notch. Thank you for all the time, energy, and money you donate to make us a true community nordic center.