The Alley Loop!

The most unique nordic marathon and costume party around.
January 31, 2026

A tropical parade skis through the alleys of Crested Butte.

The Alley Loop is not your typical Nordic Marathon. It is both a premier American Birkebeiner Qualifying event and Crested Butte’s most outrageous costume party of the year! The course winds through snowy streets, alleyways, and narrow bridges through the heart of downtown Crested Butte. Once you make it through town, you are rewarded with pristine tracks and exhilarating vistas throughout the Crested Butte Nordic trail network.

If you like normal, you may want to look for another race. If you are up for anything… this is right up your alley!

Registration will open fall of 2025!

Register!

Questions? Contact events@cbnordic.org.

Skiers make their way up the first big hill and onto the West Side trails.

Find all the details in the Alley Loop racer manual.

2025 Racer Manual

2026 RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026

Wax Service Drop-Off | Crested Butte Nordic Center
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Registration & Bib Pick-Up | Center for the Arts
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026

Wax Service Ski Pick-up | Crested Butte Nordic Center in the “Outpost”
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Late Bib Pick-Up & Day of Registration (1k, 3k and 5k only) | Crested Butte Nordic Center in the “Outpost”
7:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
42k / 21k / 10k Race Starts | Elk Avenue
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
5k Race Start, Competitive Division | Elk Avenue
1:00 p.m.
5k Race Start, Recreational Division | Elk Avenue
1:05 p.m.
1.5k & 3k Youth Race Start | Elk Avenue
1:15 p.m.
Award Ceremonies | Elk Avenue
2:30 p.m.
*Costume Contest Winners will be announced at 2:30 as well!
Finish Line Cut-Off | Elk Avenue
3:00 p.m.
- Elk Ave and all impacted Alleys will be cleaned up starting promptly at 3 p.m. Please help our operations department and clear these areas.

START TIMES

9:00 a.m. – 42K Classic (3rd Lap CUT-OFF 12:00 p.m.)

9:05 a.m. – 21K Classic

9:15 a.m. – 42K Skate (3rd Lap CUT-OFF 12:05 p.m.)

9:25 a.m. – 21K Skate Wave Starts

9:20 a.m. - Collegiate Wave
9:25 a.m. – Wave A: Under 1:35
9:30 a.m. – Wave B: 1:35-2:00
9:35 a.m. – Wave C: 2:01-3:30

9:45 a.m. – 10K Competitive Division

10:30 a.m. – 10K Recreational Division & Sit Ski

1:00 p.m. – 5K Competitive Division

1:05 p.m. – 5k Recreational Division

1:15 p.m. – 1.5K & 3K Youth Race

3:00 p.m. – Finish Line Cut-Off

RACE DISTANCE TRANSFER

If you wish to switch race distances, you may do so in the registration profile you created in SkiSignUp. The deadline to transfer events is January 24th.

Course Maps

WAX SERVICE

Limited quantity of Wax Service Reservations are offered by Boulder Nordic Sport. Reservations can be made on Ski Sign Up, where you registered.

Non-Fluoro Race Wax – $75
Application of base layer glide wax + liquid race glide wax (non-fluoro).

*Kick wax will not be applied to classic skis.

Skis should be dropped off at the CB Nordic Center Front Desk during Alley Loop week between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The deadline to drop skis for service is Friday (1/30) at 8 a.m.

Finished skis will be available for pick-up on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. in the CB Nordic Outpost.

Race weekend wax recommendations will be posted the week of the race.

RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Those wishing to reserve equipment for the Alley Loop may do so through online through CB Nordic.

Anyone who has reserved equipment for the Alley Loop may pick up their equipment the evening before their race from 4:30 – 8:00 pm.

If you’d like to take advantage of this, please indicate your desire in the notes on your online reservation. Day-of event pick up is also allowed.

Equipment must be returned the day of your race by 5:00 p.m.

Serious youth competition on Elk Avenue.

AWARDS

42k SKATE PURSE
– Top 3 Male & Female –
1st- $800
2nd- $500
3rd- $200
42k CLASSIC
– Top 3 Male & Female –
1st- $500
2nd- $250
3rd- $100
*All 42k finishers under 3 hours receive a Sub 3-Hour Marathon Achievement Bell
21k Skate Podium
– Top 3 Male & Female –
1st - $500
2nd - Fischer Prize Package
3rd - Fischer Prize Package
21k Classic Podium
– Top 3 Male & Female –
1st - $200
2nd - Fischer Prize Package
3rd - Fischer Prize Package
10k & 5k Podium
– Top 3 Male & Female –
1st - Fischer Prize Package
2nd - Fischer Prize Package
3rd - Fischer Prize Package
1k & 3k Youth
Every participant awarded a Alley Loop Vinyl Sticker
Top 3 Male & Female - Certificate
Age Class Awards
42k, 21k, 10k & 5k
Winners receive a Commemorative Pint Glass
Age Categories (5k-42k)
8 – 15
16 – 19
20 – 29
30 – 39
40 – 49
50 – 59
60 – 69
70 – 79
80+
Costume Awards
An official panel of judges will document costumes displayed on course. Curated prize packages from local businesses will be presented to outstanding group and individual costumes.