Elk Mountain Grand Traverse

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Elk Mountain Grand Traverse Challenges Back Country Athletic Skills & Smarts

30.03.2006

Crested Butte's Elk Mountain Grand Traverse is a one-of-a-kind event in the United States. The backcountry ski race is a test of endurance and smarts, following the mail routes that connected the Colorado mining towns of Crested Butte and Aspen in the 1880s and requiring avalanche awareness, backcountry athleticism, winter camping knowledge and map reading skills all wrapped in one. "The Grand Traverse is not a Nordic or downhill race, but instead tests skiers overall skills and goes from town-to-town, covering 40 miles of rugged trails in the Elk Mountains. When Grand Traverse began eight years ago, it was fashioned after similar events in Europe that connect various villages," says Jan Runge, race organizer.

At the stroke of midnight on April 1, 2005, approximately 240 racers (120 teams of two racers each) will depart from the traditional starting line at the Crested Butte Community School in town, catch the old Upper Loop Trail, skirt along Hunter Hill Road and drop into the T-bar hill at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Mt. Crested Butte. Cheering crowds, torches and a firework display will greet the racers as they pass through the base area just below the Silver Queen lift.

After the parade review, the teams will begin the climb up and over Crested Butte Mountain Resort terrain, exiting just below the East River lift, crossing the East River valley, turning down stream and rejoining the course on Brush Creek Road before climbing over two mountain passes. Several hours later, on April 2, racers arrive in Aspen tired, sore, bleary-eyed and exultant in their accomplishment.See All Event Posts