La Grande Course De Crested Butte
February 22, 2025
A beautiful circumnavigation of Gothic Mountain.
The Gothic Mountain Tour features a 23.5-mile competitive race and a 17.85-mile recreational race around the majestic Gothic Mountain. This race is unique, tough, and beautiful. The perfect place to test your Grand Traverse systems.
The Gothic Mountain Tour is operated as a fundraising event for Crested Butte Nordic, a 501(c)(3) recreational non-profit organization.
Registration opens October 15th.
Questions? Contact events@cbnordic.org.
REGISTRATION
Registration opens on October 15th. Per our Forest Service permits, the race is capped at 200 individuals. Historically, it sells out in January. Though we will maintain a waitlist, we recommend registering promptly if you wish to race in 2025.
POLICIES, DATES, and DEADLINES
We do not offer race entry refunds or transfers between participants.
We strongly recommend purchasing Racer Protection at registration. Racer Protection covers your registration purchase in the event that you cannot attend the event due to unforeseen circumstances (injury, illness, loss of a job, etc.). You can find more information on Racer Protection on the Run Sign Up registration page.
We will operate a traditional waitlist. As numbers allow, the Race Director will contact waitlisted teams with an event registration link. The waitlist and registration will close a couple of weeks before the race.
THE COURSE
The competitive course begins in Crested Butte behind the Crested Butte Community School. The recreational course begins in Mt. Crested Butte at the Snodgrass Trailhead. Both races circumnavigate Gothic Mountain and end on the CB Nordic trail system at the Magic Meadows Yurt.
MANDATORY GEAR
The listed gear are the essentials required to race. However, every athlete should exercise their own backcountry sense as to what supplementary gear they may wish to pack.
Avalanche Rescue Gear:
Beacon
Shovel
Probe
Personal Protection Gear:
Helmet
Neck gaiter or Balaclava
Jacket & Pant - Emergency Insulation Layers (Warm Down or Synthetic)
A Colorado Outdoor Search and Rescue Card (or a current Colorado hunting/fishing license) is required to participate in any Grand Traverse race. You will have to show proof of purchase at bib pick-up. Do this ahead of time and save yourself the headache. This $5 supports Colorado Search and Rescue and offers excellent protection in the unlikely case of a backcountry rescue.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Bib Pick-Up | Crested Butte Nordic
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.Mandatory Racer Meeting | Crested Butte Nordic or ZOOM
7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025
Competitive Check-In & Beacon Check | Town Ranch Trailhead
5:30 a.m.
*NO race bibs will be distributed at the Start.Competitive Mass Start | Town Ranch Trailhead
6:00 a.m.Recreational Check-In & Beacon Check | Snodgrass Trailhead
7:45 a.m.Recreational Mass Start | Snodgrass Trailhead
8:00 a.m.Finish Party Race Finish & Raffle | The Magic Meadows Yurt
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Information is subject to change. For the safety of racers and volunteers, weather and snow conditions may require a change in the race start time or location, the official course, or race rules – or may lead to cancellation.
AID STATIONS & FINISH LINE BAGS
This is a minimally supported event. Aid stations at Gothic Townsite, Top of the World, and Pittsburgh Townsite will have hydration and some nutrition. See the racer manual for more details.Race staff will transport one small finish line bag to the Magic Meadows Yurt
SHUTTLES
The race finishes about a mile from the trailhead. Racers must ski to the trailhead where free shuttles will circulate to give racers a ride back to parking areas.
PRIZES
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Top 3 - Male & Female Competitive Category:
Winners will receive product prize packages.
Top-of-the-World Premium
The first racer to arrive at the Top-of-the-World will be offered a $100 premium to carry the “awkward load” to the finish. The “awkward load” must be delivered to the race official at the finish to receive the premium payout.
“Raffle Roulette”
Randomly selected finishers will receive product prizes. Upon completing the race, review the results board to see if your finish was identified as a raffle roulette winner.
RESULTS
VOLUNTEER
This race takes a village. We rely on our amazing community of volunteers. Volunteer roles will be posted early winter.
Interested in or training for the Grand Traverse or Triple Crown?
March 30, 2025
The Grand Traverse is a point-to-point ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen. Racers travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountain range, climbing over 6,800 vertical feet. To ensure competitor safety, racers must have a partner, carry mandatory gear, and begin the race at midnight when avalanche hazard is decreased.
