The Nordic News

Almost as if on cue, a generous end of November storm blessed us with enough snow to begin grooming and laying classic track on Ruthie’s Run up on the bench. The continued storm front helped us open Pooch’s and Mike’s Mile over the weekend. After a spectacular Thanksgiving Camp opener up at Lily Lake, winter is officially upon us.

December marks not only the fun and festive holiday season, but also our season of giving. A HUGE thank you to all who donated on Colorado Gives Day! Your generosity and support mean the world to us, literally. We could not do what we do without the support of our community, and we are feeling the love.

Speaking of snow, our cat drivers would like to thank you for your patience as they do their best to make a lot happen with a little. We are currently down one snow cat, as we wait for our new cat to make its way to Colorado (yes, supply chain delays are still a thing). Keep your fingers crossed that “Matilda’s” partner in grooming arrives sooner than later so our operations can get back up to their regular grooming standards.

On the home front, the Warming House is currently open from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., seven days a week and we are offering our full array of rentals: skis, boots, poles, snowshoes, and ice skates. Looking forward, we’ve got Masters clinics rolling, Junior Teams learning and training, yurt dinners on deck, and our iconic events coming together to keep you engaged and entertained all winter long. Read on for more.

The second event in our Pinnacles Orthopedics Community Race Series is coming up this Saturday, Dec. 10. Races will be held on Ruthie’s Run; kids 1K and 3K races begin at 9:30 a.m. with a 5K adults classic starting at 10 a.m. Bib pickup is at 8:30 a.m. at the CB Nordic warming house. For more information or to register, visit the Community Race Series page on our website. Hope to see you there!

Crested Butte Nordic Team Head Coach Ben Theyerl will be sharing the fine art of waxing nordic skis in a Community Waxing Clinic. This session will be informative, fun, and include hints of Northwoods humor. Join the nordic community at Crested Butte Nordic Cat Barn, Thursday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. No pre-registration necessary for this event, just come by at the scheduled time to glean some waxing wisdom.  A suggested donation of $20 per adult will go to the Crested Butte Nordic Team.

If you haven’t yet dropped off your skis for a pre-season deep conditioning, now is the time. For just one more week, we are offering $15 off our regular Hot Box rate, giving you the jump on good glide from day one. With this service option, skis spend two rounds in a warm, insulated, dry sauna like container that helps open the pores in ski bases to allow wax to soak in more deeply than with a regular waxing. Think of it as a cozy burrito for your skis that won’t be available at this price for much longer. This special ends on Dec.12, drop your dry skis off today!

Looking for one more way to support Crested Butte Nordic? Sport our team apparel while out on the trails. Adults jackets and vests as well as youth jackets and pants will be available for purchase online until Dec. 14. This nordic specific apparel makes a great addition to any athletic wardrobe and helps to support this organization that you know and love. They make great Christmas gifts too! Check out Jakroo’s offerings today.

Tis the season of snowy mornings, joyful get togethers, and giving back to the organizations that make our community an amazing place to be. With programs for kids of all ages and athletes of all levels, lessons, tours, clinics, and a myriad of fun events to tantalize all comers, we aim to bring joy and wellbeing to as many locals and visitors as possible. Without the support of our amazing community, we would be scrambling to meet that need. Please consider making an end of year gift to Crested Butte Nordic as part of your holiday tradition and help us give back to the community we love so much.

The U16 Junior National Qualifier event is returning to Crested Butte. This will be a two day event held over the weekend of Dec. 17-18 up on Ruthie’s Run. Due to the unique nature of this event, the bench trails will be closed to the public for the weekend to accommodate the specific grooming needs of the race. Spectators are welcome, come on out to cheer on our team. Skiers are encouraged to plan their outings on other trail systems until regular grooming returns on Monday, Dec. 19. Thank you for your understanding, we are so thrilled to be hosting an event of this magnitude for our youth.

Looking for a cozy, rustic place to stay while visiting Crested Butte? Or perhaps you’re looking for lodging for family and friends. Whatever you lodging needs, be sure to check out the Pioneer Guest Cabins located up Cement Creek. Pioneer is close enough to town to enjoy all the delights Crested Butte has to offer, but removed enough to enjoy the quiet and peace of winter in a mountain canyon. For more information or to book a stay, explore the Pioneer Guest Cabins online.

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.