WARNING:
The Alley Loop is not your typical Nordic Marathon. Not only a premier nordic race and an American Birkebeiner Qualifier, it’s also Crested Butte’s best costume party of the year. The course winds its way through snow-laden streets, alleyways and narrow bridges through the heart of downtown Crested Butte. At any given time you may be cheered-on by town revelers, find yourself surrounded by Oompa Loompas, or navigating a crazy costume train assemblage… Racers are sometimes forced into making daring passes and depending on their luck, may even get waylaid on a bridge for a brief moment. Once you make it through town, you are rewarded by pristine tracks and exhilarating vistas throughout the Crested Butte Nordic trail network. If you like normal, you may want to look for another race.
If you are up for anything, this is right up your alley!
- This event has passed.
Alley Loop Nordic Marathon
February 1, 2020
Presented by
THURSDAY – 1/30/20
8 a.m. – 8 p.m – Ski Go Wax Service drop off at the Crested Butte Nordic Center
FRIDAY – 1/31/20
8 a.m. – Noon – SkiGo Wax Service drop off at the Crested Butte Nordic Center
3 to 4:30 p.m. – Pub Ski Bib Pick-Up at Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall
3 to 7:00 p.m. – Bib Pick-Up at Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall
3 to 7:00 p.m. – Walk-Up Registration at Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall
5 to 7:00 p.m. – Pub Ski Kick Off – The Eldo, aka Elk Avenue Brewing Company
7:30 p.m. Pub Ski Awards – The Eldo, aka Elk Avenue Brewing Company
SATURDAY – 2/1/20
7:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Late Registration at Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall
7:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Race Day Bib Pick-Up at Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall
9:00 to 9:40 a.m. – Race Wave Starts – 2nd Street @ Elk Avenue
10:30 to Noon 1k/3k Late Bib Pick-Up – Crested Butte Nordic Center
12:15 p.m. 1k & 3k Wave Starts – 2nd Street @ Elk Avenue
1:00 p.m – 42k Flower Ceremony – Finish Line Expo
1:15 p.m – 1k & 3k Podium Ceremony – Finish Line Expo
3:00 p.m. – Awards Banquet & Raffle – Mallardi Cabaret Theatre aka the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre
SUNDAY – 2/2/20
8:00 a.m. to Noon – USCSA Collegiate 5k Classic, hosted by Western State Colorado University
9:00 a.m. – 42K CLASSIC : 3rd Lap CUT-OFF 12:00 p.m
9:05 a.m. – 21K CLASSIC
9:20 a.m. – 42K SKATE : 3rd Lap CUT-OFF 12:20 p.m
9:25 a.m. – 21K COLLEGIATE
9:26 a.m. – 21K SKATE
9:35 a.m. – 10K
9:40 a.m. – 5K
12:15 p.m. – 3K & 1K
*** NOTICE ***
Study these maps carefully
There are several branching intersections throughout the course.
It is your responsibility as a racer to know your specific course.
Critical intersections are signed and have course marshals.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the racer to proceed correctly on course.
Lap 3 CUT-OFFs:
42K CLASSIC – 12:00 p.m.
42K SKATE – 12:20 p.m.
The Awards Party & Raffle will be held on Saturday, February 1 at 3 p.m. at Mallardi Cabaret Theatre (aka the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre)
All racers receive a commemorative poster and Alley Loop swag item at bib pickup. Top finisher prizes are awarded to both male & female divisions. You must be present to claim prizes. Awards are not mailed.
42K Freestyle
Cash Purse
1st – $1000
2nd – $500
3rd – $300
4th – $200
5th – $100
King & Queen of the Loop (winners of the first lap) – $400
42k Classic
Top 3 Male & Female – Prize Packages
All 42k’s finishing in under 3 hours receive
Sub 3-Hour Marathon Achievement Bell
21k, 10k & 5k
Top 3 Male & Female – Prize Packages
Presented by
1k & 3k Youth
Every finisher awarded with a metal!
Age Class Awards
Winners receive a commemorative Pint Glass
42k, 21k, 10k & 5k:
8 – 15
Winners receive a commemorative Wax Scraper
Wax Service
Limited SkiGo Wax Service is available on a reservation basis.
The SkiGo Wax Service is SOLD OUT!
Reservations can be made through online Race Registration, or by contacting the Nordic Center Front Desk at 970-349-1707. This service is provided in partnership with
Boulder Nordic Sport.
Ski Drop-Off:
Skis should be dropped off at the Crested Butte Nordic Center
Deadline to drop skis for wax service – NOON Friday, JANUARY 31st
Any skis not received by this time will NOT be serviced.
Service Grades:
Recreational Basic LF – $29
- An application of low fluorocarbon wax of the day
Racer HF – $45
- An application of low fluorocarbon graphite with a topcoat of the high fluorocarbon wax of the day.
Pro Pure Fluoro – $75
- A hydrocarbon base layer, an application of the high fluorocarbon wax of the day, and a top coat of pure fluorocarbon powder.
Wax Recommendations
We depend on close to 100 volunteers to pull together this very
atypical nordic ski race…
To ensure Alley Loop success, we’re seeking Course Marshals, Registration Receptionist, Start & Finish Line Assistants, Pub Ski Operatives, and many other support roles.
Every volunteer receives a commemorative 2020 Alley Loop Soft Flask, in addition a beer voucher from Ska Brewing at the finish expo!
Link below to browse volunteer duty times & locations.
Alley Loop
Street Closures & Parking Restrictions
Lodging Partners
Choose custom lodging that’s right for you. Our Lodging Partners support CB Nordic in myriad ways; we encourage you to support them, too! Email marketing@cbnordic.org to get your discount code after you register.
Pub Ski
Friday, January 31st
5:oo – 7:30 PM
Tickets – $25
