The Nordic News

All this heat has us thinking about . . . you guessed it . . . snow. Of course we’re enjoying the wildflowers and the long days, but we’re also daydreaming about a break from the heat and all the fun that snow brings.

Since we can’t ski quite yet, we are focused on getting ready for winter. The Grin & Bear It Trail Run Races are this weekend and provide an excellent opportunity to work on your fitness. For inspiration, check out the photos below of the Junior Team out training! In the office, we’re getting ready for Season Passes to go on sale September 1. We’re also cooking up new program guides for our Masters Community and Junior Team, due to come out in September. Additionally, we’ve been pursuing grant funds so that we can continue to make nordic skiing and snowshoeing more accessible to more folks. And of course, we’re getting psyched for The Grand Traverse Mountain Run & Bike races, coming up Labor Day weekend.

Winter may be a ways off just yet, but in the meantime, join us for a summer event to help get you in shape and meet new folks so that you’re ready when the fluffy white stuff really does start to fall.

A huge thank you to the Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club for a grant to buy much-needed supplies for our CB Nordic Team. Their gift will enable the Team to wax and race more successfully!

Thank you to the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley for an operating grant to help us continue to provide high-quality programming for modest prices. We believe all people should have access to the life-giving benefits of winter outdoor recreation, and this grant makes it possible to expand our programs into new communities.

There’s still time to join us for the Grin & Bear It this Saturday, July 24. Jump into the 15K out-and-back to Green Lake or the 25K loop that includes the Baxter Gulch Trail. Registration is available online now or in-person the day-of. All events start and finish at the Crested Butte Nordic Center (620 2nd Street, Crested Butte).

BIB PICK-UP

7:00 AM to 8:45 a.m.

RACE START TIMES

25k Loop – 8:00 a.m.
15k Classic – 9:00 a.m.

POST RACE BRUNCH

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Not ready to race? Volunteer with us! We have a couple volunteer slots left for this Saturday’s race. If you can help us with bib pick-up, directing traffic, or serving up delicious breakfast at the Finish Line Party, please sign up! This is a great way to meet new folks and give back to our community.

That’s right, friends–Yurt Dinners are back! The new 2021-2022 dates are online now. Join us for a magic ski/snowshoe to the yurt, a gourmet 5-course dinner, festive libations, and the unparalleled majesty of the Elk Mountains. We’ll open reservations on August 1 and dinners do sell out, so plan ahead now!

Want to be part of the most iconic race series in the Gunnison Valley? The Grand Traverse Mountain Run & Bike are unlike any other events. Two towns, two races, one epic mountain range . . . you can experience all the magic without all of the suffer-fest by volunteering. We have positions open at aid stations, registration, start lines, finish lines, and more.

Believe it or not, season passes go on sale in just over a month. A season pass is your ticket to a season of unlimited skiing and snowshoeing, unlimited laughter with friends amid the pines, unlimited learning and growing in a new hobby, unlimited sunsets over the snow-capped peaks. Get ready to buy your season pass so you can access all of this and more as soon as winter arrives. Early bird pricing (20% off) will be available until Nov. 1.

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.