The Nordic News

Settling into Winter!

Although January is just the beginning of the calendar winter, it feels like mid-winter in Crested Butte. We’re back to negative morning temperatures, which, though painful, are great for the snowpack. We’re settled into our routines, the nordic fitness is coming back, and the trails are in prime condition. Check out the new openings on the East Side - Rudy’s Rollers, Gulch Connector, Old Ditch Trail, and Middle Earth. Be on the lookout for Mordor soon!

There’s another Pinnacle Orthopedics Community Race Series - ‘Oop is Around the Corner - coming up this Saturday, January 18th. Get ready for the Alley Loop in the 20km classic or skate race. The 20km starts at 9:30 a.m., with the youth 1km and 3km at 9:00 a.m. All races start at the Town Ranch Trailhead.

If you haven’t registered for the Alley Loop yet, it’s not too late. The race is Saturday, February 1st this year. Whether you’re racing the 1km with the kids or doing all three loops in the 42km, we’re excited to host you at the 39th annual most unique nordic marathon there is.

And, there are only 33 spots left in the 2025 Gothic Mountain Tour. Claim yours before it’s too late!

Racing or not, it’s time to get out and ski.

See you on the trails.

Fat Bike Worlds

January 25th on the East Side Trails

The Fat Bike Worlds are coming back to Crested Butte! Hosted by CBMBA, the race will take place on January 25th.

Though not closed to the public, you can expect the East Side Trails to be busy that day. If you’re looking for a serene nordic experience, The Bench and The West Side will be your best skiing that day.

The race starts and ends at Town Ranch, heads out Teocalli Connector, up the Rec Path, loops through Rudy’s Rollers, comes down the Gulch Connector, through the maze, and returns to Town Ranch on Tony’s Trail.

Participants are aware that the majority of these trails are not open to fat bikes outside of this organized event.

If you want to join in the fun, it’s not too late to register! The full course is five laps, and the fun race is three laps.

If you’re looking for a little pre-Alley Loop costume excitement, head to the start/finish area or cheer the racers on with cowbells on the course. Of course, spectator costumes are encouraged!

Calling All Volunteers

Alley Loop is Two Weeks Away!

When you fill the alleys with snow and invite over a thousand racers to town, it takes the whole village to pull this unique race off.

We’re looking for volunteers on Friday, January 31st and Saturday, February 1st.

We have a volunteer job for everyone, whether it’s distributing bibs and timing chips, being a course marshal at an alley intersection, helping with race start waves, or cleaning up afterward.

Volunteers will be thanked with snacks, discounts at the Brühaus, and a 2025 Alley Loop Hat (for shifts over 3 hours).

Madshus Demo Day

Courtesy of All Sports Replay

All Sports Replay will be hosting a Madshus demo day on January 26th.  Madshus is sending out a selection of their premier skate and classic skis, as well as entry-level skis, including the Active MGV, Active Skate, and a touring skin ski, the Fjelltech M50. 

Bring your standard NNN boots or borrow some of ours to get a feel for what the Norwegians have been cooking up.  

Swing by the Gronk Trailhead on Sunday, January 26th, between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to try out some new skis!

The Tracked Tacoma - T2

Working tirelessly for CB Nordic.

This otherworldly vehicle has been spotted around Nordic and has become quite the topic of conversation. So, what’s the deal with the tracked vehicle?

The need for another vehicle in the summer and fall and a more efficient way to transport food and supplies to Yurt Dinners and the Bistro meant we had to get creative. This versatile solution has worked wonders so far this season.

The tracks leave minimal impact on the trails compared to the many snowmobile trips a Yurt event requires. And by swapping them back out for tires in the summer, we have another vehicle for team transportation and the Summer Grand Traverse!

T2 was identified as a need in the CB Nordic Strategic Plan. Want to learn more about our goals through 2028? You can find our strategic plan on the website!

Skate Pop-Up Clinic

Exploring V2 and V2 Alternate

This pop-up will dive deep into the differences and similarities between these two techniques. Curious how to time the poling? How the techniques differ? When to use each technique? Come with your questions and a desire to be more efficient in your skating. 

When: Saturday, January 18th | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Where: Town Ranch Trailhead

Cost: $20

Who: Intermediate Skate Skiers (limited to 10 participants)

Deadline to Register: Friday, January 17th at 6 p.m. (online or in person at the Nordic Center)

Yurt Happenings

Brunch, Dinner, and Yoga

It’s Yurt season at CB Nordic, and there’s something for everyone.

Yurt Dinners

We have availability at the March 15th, March 21st, and March 22nd dinners! If you’d like to join a waitlist for a sold-out dinner, email amanda@cbnordic.org.

Private Rentals

Did you know the Yurt is available for private rentals? We have availability for private events in January and February. Find out more here. To get a reservation started, email amanda@cbnordic.org.

Yoga at the Yurt

Yoga at the Yurt is back, courtesy of Thrive Yoga. Join their talented instructors on four Saturdays this season: January 25th, February 8th, March 1st, and March 8th. Register with Thrive Yoga.

Yurt Bistro

Sunday Bistro is here for the season. Join us every Sunday through March 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bonus - Free History Talk by the Crested Butte Museum at the January 26th Bistro from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

You Make All the Difference

Be Part of Our Community

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Crested Butte Nordic depends on your support to keep our trails world-class and our programs top-notch. Please consider making a gift to help us get more people outside, having life-changing experiences in the outdoors, all year long.

Interested in making a legacy gift to CB Nordic? Contact Executive Director Hedda Peterson, hedda@cbnordic.org, to learn more about how to make a gift that sustains CB Nordic so that future generations can experience the beauty and wonder of winter.