If you want to wax them yourself, check out the waxing recommendations below.

Boulder Nordic Sport Alley Loop Recommendations:

Forecast Based Recommendation – BNS does not have anyone testing wax on-site.

Base Layer:  SkiGo LF Graphite

Race Paraffin:  SkiGo HF Green or LF Green, Start HF80 or Toko HF Blue.  Start SG8 Green could also be good.

Fluoro Powder: SkiGo C105 or Holmenkol Cold Powder

Topcoat:SkiGo C105 Solid or Holmenkol Speedblock Cold

Structure:Fine Grind such as S1.3/CV0 or S0.1/LS00

Kick: Iron in a base layer of Toko Green Base, cool, cork and then top with the wax of the day.  Possible options we would try:

• Guru Green
• SkiGo XC Green
• Rode Green Special
• Rode Green.

Conclusionary Notes – Toko HF Blue has historically run well in these conditions in Crested Butte.

Toko Alley Loop Recommendations:

Dinner starts at 6:30 and doors open at 6.  The cost is $65 including a trail pass and rental equipment, which can be picked up any time the day of the event. Dinner only is $45. Beer and wine are available for additional purchase at the yurt. This Tuesday’s dinner menu features veal parmesan as the entree, along with a tomato bruschetta appetizer, white bean and sausage soup, mesclun salad, and tiramisu.

Brunch runs from 10:30 to 12:30 on Sunday morning and is a great event for families. Cost is $25 for adults and $10 for kids. Check out the brunch menu here, featuring home-made caramelized onion and vegetable frittata, pastries, and assorted fruits, among other delectable offerings.

So I pulled my classic skis off the rack, corked in some kick wax, and tucked them in my ski-tube on my bike to ride to the trailhead across town. At mid-day there were only a few cars in the parking lot. The corduroy was untracked. I set out down the trail between the tunnel of willows and wound my way through the lowlands to the Magic Meadows. I climbed through the woods, Paradise Divide in the distance. The track was solid, the snow glimmering, and I only saw a few other skiers, all of whom were as happy as I was to be out. Headed back to the trailhead, Mt. CB stood out stark and bold against the horizon. Town looked like a frosted fairy-tale hamlet.  I felt my body settle onto my skis and my heart settle into winter. For the fist time this year, I was glad winter was here–glad deep down in my bones. Also, content. Peaceful. So happy to have this wonderland outside my back door.

Thanks to Rick Murray for this great photo!

The Alley Loop is on!  After a few weeks of worry, Mother Nature solved all of our problems with 31 inches of new snow last week! The Magic Meadows and West side trails used by the longer Alley Loop races have been open since mid-December. With a bit of hard-work weed-whacking and snow-shoveling they were actually skiing quite well, even before the new snow.  Now, with this week’s fresh trails are in world-class shape! The snow also means that the full in-town course for the Alley Loop Nordic Marathon, to be held on Saturday, February 4, is viable, including the Start/Finish on Elk Ave.

Some changes to this year’s Alley Loop schedule are that the awards will get separate billing. Kids’ awards will be handed out at the Brick Oven Pizzeria, right by the Start/Finish at 11:30 am. The adults’ awards will be at 4 p.m. at Montanya Rum Distillery, Crested Butte’s new rum distillery, located in the historic powerhouse building on Elk Ave.

Also new this year is the Sunday “morning after” Yurt Brunch.  The yurt is located in the heart of the Magic Meadows, so you can ski your recovery laps in between savoring fine foods prepared by private chef Tim Egelhoff. Only a mile from the trailhead, the yurt is a family friendly destination and a unique experience to round out your Alley Loop weekend. Cost is $25 adults, $10 for kids, and reservations are required by calling 970-349-1707, ext. 2.

Registration for the 26^th Annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon is online until 10 p.m. on February 2, and in person at the CB Chamber of Commerce from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 3. There is no day-of registration. The first race goes off at 9 on Saturday, followed by the other races at intervals.

With 35 kilometers of trail open today, and new trails opening all the time, the Nordic skiing in Crested Butte is terrific these days, especially when contrasted with the lack of snow and available terrain in other places. Plus, more snow is forecasted for the weekend, which always helps. At this point, we’re mostly just surprised there aren’t more people out there!

More information about the race can be found online, at www.cbnordic.org, or by emailing Events Director Janelle Smiley, at janelle@cbnordic.org. For more information about the trails, check out the website or call the CBNC at 970/349-1707.

Happy Skiing!

We’re blessed with amazing landscapes and amazing artists in this Valley. In partnership with the Center for the Arts, we’re combining both in a series of Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Photography workshops, taught by Xavier Fane and Raynor Czerwinski.  Each workshop is $55, and the CBNC is offering 20% off rental equipment for participants that need skis or snowshoes. Check out all the class information on our site or at the Center for the Arts. Register online for Xavi’s class, for Raynor’s class, or by calling (970) 349-7487 ext. 6 or emailing classes@crestedbuttearts.org.

Keep in mind our 20 km Classic Race will be held next Saturday, January 14.  The location is to be decided, so check back during the week for updates.  Happy snow day!

January 7 Skiathalon Results