Registration for the 2025 Grand Traverse opens on Sunday, December 1st at midnight. The race is capped at 500 individuals (250 teams) per our Forest Service permits. Historically, the race sells out in under an hour. Though we will maintain a waitlist, we recommend registering promptly if you wish to race in 2025.

Individuals wishing to enter 2025 Grand Traverse Triple Crown competition may gain guaranteed entry into the Ski event through priority pre-registration beginning November 17, 2024. See the Triple Crown page for more details.

This is a partner event. One partner will complete the initial registration, and the second partner will have until December 15th to complete their half of the registration. Incomplete teams after December 15th will forfeit their entry.

If one partner is injured or cannot race, an individual may register a new teammate between December 15th and March 9th. The new teammate must register and pay a 1/2 ski team entry.

We will operate a traditional waitlist. As numbers allow, the Race Director will contact waitlisted teams with an event registration link. The last day we will pull teams from the waitlist is March 16th. After March 16th, registration will be closed.

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.

This is a 40 mile point-to-point, minimally supported event. If you preview any part of the course, backcountry knowledge, preparation, and equipment is absolutely necessary. Please note that the section between Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Brush Creek through the East River Valley travels through private property. This part of the course is closed except for race night. Additionally, the use of the Friends Hut must be booked through the 10th Mountain Hut Division. The hut is not accessible or open for day visitors.

The mandatory gear racers carry into the backcountry is critical.  Due to the distance traveled with the potential for rapidly changing weather, each team must be independently prepared for a 24-hour bivouac if conditions dictate.

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.

Review the mandatory gear list carefully. Crested Butte is a small town. We cannot guarantee that local stores will have mandatory items available. Check out the gear series videos below with Grand Traverse Champion and Cripple Creek Backcountry for tips and tricks.

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 great protection in the unlikely case of a backcountry rescue.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025

• Athlete Clearance & Vendor Expo | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
  2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2025

• Athlete Clearance & Vendor Expo | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
  8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

• Athlete Lunch | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
  12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Mandatory Race Meeting | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
  1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Coffee Lab Open for Race Night | Mountaineer Square
  9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

• GPS Tracker Distribution | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
  10:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.

• Mandatory Beacon Check | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
  11:30 p.m. – 11:55 p.m.

• Mandatory Bib Check | Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base
  11:30 p.m. – 11:55 p.m.

• Blessing of the Freeheelers | Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base
  11:55 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025

• Race Start | Crested Butte Mountain Resort Base
  12:00 a.m.

• Race Finish | Aspen Mountain Gondola Plaza
  6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Podium Ceremony and Awards | Aspen Mountain Gondola Plaza
  2:00 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

This race takes a village. We rely on our amazing community of volunteers. Volunteer roles will be posted starting December 1st.