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This year, we made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2025 Grand Traverse Ski. Our snow safety and field teams worked diligently throughout the week to prepare the course and monitor the conditions. During the 8 a.m. field teams meeting on Saturday morning, we reached a consensus that conditions would support safe passage that night. However, at noon, we received word that the East River crossing at the base of CBMR was impassable. We worked quickly to create a reroute using Upper Upper on the southeast side of Mt. CB to ensure racers could safely reach the Brush Creek corridor. This update was shared at the racer meeting, and we began course marking and necessary preparations to facilitate the reroute. In the 4 p.m. field teams meeting, teams shared observations of an isothermic snowpack, with snow penetration up to three feet on skis and waist-deep in boots. Daytime temperatures and weather had created unprecedented and dangerous conditions that were no longer safe for race travel. We brainstormed every possible workaround, but race permits and risk management plans require safe evacuation routes that were no longer feasible. For these reasons, our staff, snow safety, medical, and evacuation teams came to the conclusion that sending racers into the field safely in any capacity was no longer possible. No Grand Traverse has ever been the same. From minor course reroutes to reverses and morning starts, this race keeps us on our toes. However, this was the first time that snow and weather conditions have forced a full race cancellation. We did not reach this decision lightly. The Grand Traverse requires seven permits, starts in Gunnison County and finishes in Pitkin County, starts at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and finishes at Aspen Mountain, and traverses through two towns and miles of National Forest Service land. It is truly a unique event for both race organizers and participants. This race is made possible each year with the incredible support of the CB Nordic and Grand Traverse community. And this community runs deep - from veteran racers to volunteers returning decade after decade, from business sponsors to willing land owners and government entities, from snow safety and medical professionals to a small but mighty race staff, this is truly a community race. Racer safety will always be our top priority, and this year, that meant cancellation was the only option. Thank you all for your understanding and support.
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