The Nordic News

2025’s Final Tracks

We hope you’ve had an amazing 2025, and we really hope you’re able to get outside and ski today. We’ll be the first to admit that this year has presented its challenges, but it has also led to significant growth at CB Nordic. While we close this chapter and look ahead to 2026, we’re really excited about everything going on in the coming months:

• Want to learn to ski, improve your technique, or explore the area surrounding CB? Book a lesson or tour for yourself or the family. Sign up for a Masters Clinic.

• Need a little friendly competition in your life? Sign up for the Pinnacle Orthopedic Community Race Series. The next race is this Saturday, January 17.

• Planning your costume for the Alley Loop? Race day is exactly one month away. Register today, prices go up tomorrow!

• Thinking of skiing the Gothic Mountain Tour on February 15? Sign up soon. Prices also go up tomorrow. It’s your favorite local’s favorite tour for a reason.

Here’s to a 2026 filled with many nordic adventures.

See you on the trails!

Yurt Trivia

The most fun you can have on a Wednesday night

Yurt Trivia kicks off on January 14. Whether you're a local whiz-kid or just looking for a unique combination of skiing and knowledge, Yurt Trivia is the ultimate way to break up your winter week. Hosted at the Magic Meadows Yurt, this series offers a one-of-a-kind blend of competitive fun and cozy backcountry vibes.

Alley Loop 2026

We’re looking for volunteers!

The 40th Annual Alley Loop will be held on Saturday, January 31. We’re only a month away, so start prepping that costume. Bring the whole family and sign up for races ranging from a 1.5km alley tour to the 42km course through town and out onto the CB Nordic trail system. Registration prices increase tomorrow!

As always, this race takes a lot of commitment. If you’re not racing, we’d love your help as a volunteer. Come help with bib pick-up, be a course marshal, work an aid station, help with start lines, or help us clean up afterward.

January Masters

Sign up by January 2 at 5 p.m.

Is your New Year’s resolution to be a better skier? How about simply going skiing? Masters Community classes are your ticket to either. It’s also a great way to meet new people, break up your day, and get some fresh air. Classes start January 6, and the deadline to register is Friday, January 2, at 5 p.m.

We’ll see you out there!

Learn to Skate

Free clinics in January and February

We’re thrilled to offer another season of Learn to Skate free lessons. Our favorite thing in the world is helping people get out on snow to enjoy the magical world of nordic skiing, and we know that a little bit of instruction is the best way to get you gliding and loving this sport as much as we do.

We’re offering five sessions in 2026:

January 8 | January 15 | January 22 | February 5 | February 19

All sessions are Thursdays at noon.

Register today!

Please limit your participation to two sessions to allow room for everyone.

Holidays + Snow = Busier

Keep the smiles coming!

This year’s snowpack is definitely challenging, but we are super fortunate in the Gunnison Valley to have skiing available to us. Make sure when you’re out on the trails to smile, say hi, and keep your dogs under control around other skiers. And please pick up that poop.

Fewer trail openings means more people per kilometer of trail. Consider a break from your routine to ski early or ski late if a trip to Mike’s Mile is suddenly feeling like City Market on a Sunday afternoon.

Valley Housing Fund

A valuable partner for CB Nordic

The mission of the Valley Housing Fund is to work collaboratively to create and support affordable and accessible housing opportunities to strengthen the Gunnison Valley community.

As CB Nordic’s Executive Director, Hedda Peterson, frames their importance, “Each winter, Crested Butte Nordic grows to more than 75 staff members, many of whom fill multiple critical roles. These are often younger community members juggling several jobs to make life in the Gunnison Valley work. When affordable, long-term housing isn’t available, we lose talented people - not just to our organization, but to the valley as a whole. The Valley Housing Fund plays a vital role in helping employers like CB Nordic retain the workforce our community depends on.”

Pioneer Guest Cabins

Sponsor of the Month!

Looking for a cozy place to stay while visiting Crested Butte? Need a place while training for the Alley Loop or Grand Traverse? Whatever your lodging needs, be sure to check out the Pioneer Guest Cabins located up Cement Creek. Pioneer is close enough to town to enjoy all the delights Crested Butte has to offer but removed enough to enjoy the peace of winter in the mountains. For more information or to book a stay, explore the Pioneer Guest Cabins online.

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.