The Nordic News

The view out the window screams winter is here! We hope you found time to get out and enjoy this last storm in whatever way you get the most joy out of winter. For us, that means chasing the freshly groomed forested trails on the Bench when the wind is howling and stretching our legs out in the open of the East Side when the sun peeks through the clouds.

We’re working hard to get all of our trails open. Don’t forget to check the Trail Report each morning before you head out to see where the best skiing can be found. Thank you for being mindful of trail closures, as CBAC helps keep us safe while snow conditions settle down.

It’s officially event season at CB Nordic. We have two more Pinnacle Community Race Series events on tap, the Alley Loop, and Gothic Mountain Tour. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re racing, cheering, or want to come out and volunteer.

Don’t forget we’re offering Learn to Skate Ski for Free clinics every Wednesday at noon until the end of February. Sign up and let our instructors help you and your friends find your balance and glide on skinny skis.

See you on the trails!

Do you ever find yourself turned around in the Magic Meadows loops? Or have you ever missed your turn out of The Maze? Us too! We’ve been using Nordic Pulse for real-time grooming updates for a little over a year now. This is the map you see when you scroll down on the Daily Trail Report. And they’ve just rolled out their skier version.

When you download the app, you can access grooming updates, trail difficulty ratings, and weather forecasts. But best of all, when you hit the navigation button in the bottom right corner, your skier dot will appear on the map! No more wrong turns. You can download the app for free from the Apple Store or on Google Play.

Let us know what you think!

Join us for two more Community Race Series events leading up to the Alley Loop.

The first one is on Saturday, January 20th. The youth 3k race starts at 9:30 a.m., an adult 10k freestyle race at 10:00 a.m., and a 5k Burley Buster immediately following the 10k mass start. All races will start and end in the Stadium on the Bench. Bib pick-up starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Nordic Center.

Can’t make that one, we’ve got one more coming your way on Saturday, January 27th. Put your legs and lungs to the test with a 20k freestyle race. As always, we’ll offer a youth 3k race first. Location TBD.

The Junior Biathlon program is several years strong, and we’re excited to see multiple kids coming back for their second and even third seasons. These kids are passionate skiers who love to mix things up and integrate target shooting.  But what about the rest of us?

New this season! We’ve added Adult Biathlon programming. Come hone your skate skiing skills, learn breath control techniques, and improve your target accuracy. Our biathlon athletes use infrared laser rifles to dial in skill and precision. The rifles are the newest technology for biathlon training. Biathlon sessions meet on Wednesday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. and/or Saturdays at noon. Get more information on the Masters Community Page.

A “Try-It” Event will be held pre-Alley Loop on Friday, February 2nd. Join us from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m on Elk Avenue. In conjunction with Fischer Skis, we’re inviting the public to come skate ski and shoot “just like a pro” utilizing the infrared rifles.

We’ve got the regular Yurt Dinner and Sunday Yurt Bistro, but don’t forget about Yurt Trivia. The first one is happening tonight, but there are two more coming up on February 13th and March 13th. Tickets are $40 and include pizza, veggies, one alcoholic drink, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, and one ticket for our prize giveaway. Additional beer and wine will be available for sale. Choose your team wisely!

Yoga at the Yurt is coming back! Join Thrive Yoga Teachers for four Saturday classes from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. – February 24th, March 9th, March 23rd, and April 6th. Classes are limited to 10 students and cost $45, which includes fireside yoga, a mat, tea, and a Nordic trail day pass.

Just two short weeks after the Alley Loop, we’re hosting the Gothic Mountain Tour. The race is full, but we’re looking for volunteers. We’re in need of check-in help, course marshalls, race dispatch, finish line volunteers, and shuttle drivers. There’s something for everyone! Pick your shift here.

P.S. All CB Nordic event volunteers receive awesome swag, like the GMT sticker above. Recognize that racer? We love working with Sticker Mule to create fun custom stickers for all our events throughout the year. Volunteer for the Grand Traverse for more stickers (sneak peek coming soon). Or jump into Adult Biathlon for our new club sticker. You can create your own custom stickers, too!

Yep! You read that right. Kikkan Randall will be in CB on Alley Loop weekend.

Olympic Champion, Cancer Survivor, and Active Mom

From her debut in Salt Lake City to a decisive sprint finish in Pyeongchang, Kikkan Randall defined her career through Olympic aspirations. Straight from her gold-medal performance to a cancer diagnosis, she barely had a chance to catch her breath before finding herself navigating life as a single mother. The film, KIKKAN, chronicles the life of the 5-time Olympian from childhood through her US Ski career to her return to Alaska.

Crested Butte will be hosting the American premiere of this documentary on Saturday, February 3rd, at 7 p.m., followed by a Q+A with Kikkan Randall after the film. Brought to you by Fischer Skis.

Rumor has it she’ll be toeing the line at the Alley Loop 21k skate!
Will you be racing alongside an Olympian this year?

And to round out Alley Loop weekend, there’s even more. Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance is bringing the 5 Point Adventure Film Festival to the Gunnison Valley. Join us for screenings in Gunnison on February 1st and in Crested Butte on February 2nd.

The 5 Point Film Festival believes that stories of adventure have the power to ignite positive change in our communities and our world. We find our best selves through adventure and encourage those around us to do the same. The festival curates and shares meaningful stories that inspire communities to live by their 5 guiding points: Purpose, Respect, Commitment, Humility, and Balance – all qualities you can take into your Alley Loop race weekend!

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.