The Nordic News

We’ve been planning for months, prepping for weeks, and finally the collage of costumes and competition is here. For the most part, it will be the traditional looping of the alleys that you know and love, but there are a few things new or different, so please dig through all resources thoroughly to make sure you know what to expect and when. In addition to the resources found in this newsletter and on our website, be sure to read through the Racer Manual for full details on how to Alley Loop in style and in the know.

Racing the Alley Loop? Please Register Online in advance. Walk-up registration on the day of the event is not an option this year, so sign up before Friday, Feb. 3, if you’re planning to loop some alleys.

Not racing the Alley Loop? If you’re hoping to get in a good ski, your best bet is to ski on the East Side or on the Bench this Saturday. While it’s fun to cheer for racers and check out the costumes on the West Side, it can be pretty chaotic with the sheer number of folks on the course plus all the added flare of the costume ensembles. If you do go to the West Side trails, please be conscious to keep your dog on a leash so that everyone gets along.

While Alley Loop may be the highlight of the nordic season, the fun doesn’t stop there. Here’s a list of all our fun events in February:

• Bistros on Sunday, including after race day if you need a casual ski the day after the race to decompress.
• Yurt Trivia, second in a series of three coming up on Feb. 15.
• The fifth and final Community Race on Saturday, Feb. 11 followed by a fun after party at the yurt.
• Yoga at the Yurt brought to you by Thrive Yoga, beginning on Feb. 18.
• Historic Skis with the Museum to the Yurt beginning Thursday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Gothic Mountain Tour on Feb. 19, volunteers needed!

Read on for more updates on what’s happening this weekend and beyond!

All races will be starting between 9 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at the traditional start location, 2nd and Elk. If you’re not sure when your race begins, double check the schedule posted on our website. Walk up registration and bib pick-up available from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 at Queen of All Saints Parish Hall. No day-of registration this year, but Bib Pick-Up will continue on race day morning, Feb. 4, from 7:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Queen of All Saints Parish Hall.

Post-race awards will be at Elk and 2nd starting with the 42k Flower Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. followed by 1k and 3k Podium Awards. The Awards Banquet & Giveaway will be at Center for the Arts starting at 3 p.m.

Join us for a race day pre-game on Elk Avenue the evening before for our first ever Alley Loop Fat Bike Race presented by CBMBA and The Eldo. On Friday, Feb. 3, fat bikers will start and finish in front of the Eldo on a special Alley Loop style course. Registration at 3 p.m., race begins at 4:30 p.m., lights required while on course. The Eldo will be generously supplying beer for contestants at the finish line. For more information, visit the Alley Loop event page on our website. Come pedal the Red Lady Loops in this one-time special before the trails go back to skiers only!

Check out the parking restrictions for this weekend so you don’t end up with a stuck or towed car. Some parking restrictions start on Thursday (tomorrow!) night. Help us get the word out by sharing this information with your friends and neighbors.

Not Alley Looping? Join us on race day as a volunteer. We are looking for folks to help with post-race clean up, start line set up, finish support, and more. Volunteering for your community not only brings you the good feels, but also gets you a front row seat to all the Alley Loop action. Peruse available jobs and sign up below.

Snowshoe or Ski Tours are 20% off for the month of February. Our experienced and friendly guides will take you safely into the backcountry around Crested Butte. Half and full-day tours available. All tours are private and rental equipment is included. Register online via the lessons and tours tab with discount code “sweetheart” to receive the discount.

Join us to experience the bliss of yoga in a unique, rustic-chic setting. Starting Saturday, Feb. 18, Thrive Yoga will be offering classes out at the Magic Meadows Yurt from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. This is part of an eight class series that runs through Apr. 8. $40 per person includes the Fireside Yoga class, use of a travel mat provided by Thrive, tea, and a trail pass to get to and from the yurt. Fee does not include ski gear, which can be rented from CB Nordic. Sign up online at the Thrive website at thriveyogacrestedbutte.com/event-listing.

Most of CB Nordic’s trails are on private land, made possible by willing landowners and conservation easements. So, it’s essential you stay ON the trail to ensure trail access in the future. As enticing as it may be to ski off trail for some fresh, it could mean the difference between continued grooming and losing our trails. Additional sidetracks attract other skiers, snowshoers, dogs, and walkers, which then reinforces that new track. These new tracks put us at risk of losing access to our trails. Please stay on the groomed trail and follow all posted signage. This includes where you can bring bikes and where you cannot. Thank you for protecting our trails now and into the future!

We are delighted to have Sage Transformations and the myriad talents of Helen T. Sage as one of our generous business partners this season. Offering massage therapy, energy work, classes, workshops, and yoga, you can find what what you’re need for self care at Sage Transformation. A special for our season passholders, receive $10 off massage when you book with Helen.

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.