The Nordic News

It’s CB Nordic Season!

There’s snow on the ground and more in the forecast. Our season is back!

The arrival of winter this year feels right on schedule as we prepare for opening day on November 16th and the return of Thanksgiving Camp at the end of the month.

While we wait patiently for winter to settle in and stay, we’re busy preparing for the season ahead.

You may notice a few changes as you return to nordic life this year.

Things look a little different online as we’ve updated our website and newsletter platforms. We hope you find the new look easier to navigate. If you rent skis this year, we’ve switched to a platform called Booqable. This new system promises to be a more user-friendly interface for you and more efficient for the front desk staff. That means we’ll get you out on snow faster. When you sign up for a race, we’re now using SkiSignUp. This platform offers lower processing fees, making it more beneficial for participants.

More than anything, we’re looking forward to another wonderful winter with the CB Nordic community.

See you on the trails.

State of Operations

Trail Updates and Grooming Forecast

Early-season snow is exciting. We’re all itching to get out on the snow and enjoy a change of pace in the shoulder season.

The Lily Lake trails are snowmobile-packed and beautiful. Coverage is fantastic, even on the road leading to the upper meadows. Once the Forest Service gives us the OK for snow depth and we start to lay the corduroy, you will be the first to know! We are anticipating grooming after the next snowfall.

New this year, UGRWCD has generously sponsored a Porta Potty at the Lily Lake Trailhead.

Please remember, there is no parking on Kebler Pass Road.

After November 16th, we will prioritize grooming CB Nordic town trails as snow allows. Please be advised that town trails will not open to the public until November 16th (at the earliest). Our trails pass through private and conserved land. Access is not permitted until our opening day.

Check the CB Nordic Trail Report for updates.

If you're heading out, be aware of early-season conditions, check the latest forecast from CBAC, always practice safe backcountry travel, and wear orange for the remainder of hunting season.

Enjoy the peace of that beautiful backcountry snow.

Nordic Center Updates

Welcome to the Warming House!

With the completion of The Outpost, our layout has changed a bit. The most exciting change is that the upstairs of the Nordic Center will be returned to its original purpose as a Community Warming House.

As you enter the Nordic Center, head immediately left and upstairs. Store your boots and jacket while you ski, plot your outing on the giant wall map, gather with friends for coffee and tea after a lap on the Bench, and warm up with the kids in our new cozy space.

Here’s where you can find everything this winter:

Nordic Center

• cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals

• CB Nordic retail store

• ice skate rentals

• community wax bench

• meeting location for Masters clinics, lessons, and tours

• Ski School Room

• meeting location for Yurt Dinners

• bathrooms

• Warming House (upstairs)

The Outpost

• Murray Banks Team Room for Comp and Devo Teams

• youth coaches office

• team wax room

• admin offices (upstairs)

Ski Swap

Gear and Early-Bird Season Passes

Are you looking for a winter setup? You’re in luck. The Ski Swap is happening this weekend. CB Nordic will be there with great deals on nordic skis, boots, and poles to help get you gliding this winter.

Shop for gear Friday, November 8th from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the members-only kick-off, or join on Saturday, November 9th at the public swap from 9 a.m. - noon at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte. 

Looking to drop off gear? Here’s the schedule.

Plus, we’re offering one more chance to purchase a CB Nordic season pass at early-bird pricing. In-person only!

Youth Programs

Get the kids outside this winter.

As we return to winter at the Nordic Center. We’re anxiously awaiting the return of the after school youth programs. Nothing beats a practice area full of happy kids on cross-country skis.

We’ve got a few spots left in 2nd-5th grade nordic groups on Tuesdays and Thursday. These groups prioritize buildling nordic technique, general fitness, agility, balance, and coordination that will benefit them in all the sports they play.

We’ve also got a few spots left in our backcountry groups. These groups focus on backcountry safety, winter travel techniques, avalanche awareness, and camaraderie in a backcountry setting.

Programs begin in December. Questions? Reach out the Youth Programs Coordinator, Alex Riedman - alex@cbnordic.org.

Jakroo CB Nordic Team Store

Order by November 24th

Get your CB Nordic warm-ups! Once again, we’re partnering with Jakroo to bring you adult and youth CB Nordic gear.

Find the offerings on the Jakroo CB Nordic Team site. Use password: CBNordic.

The Jakroo store pricing works on bulk orders. The more items we order as a community, the lower the price. Place orders until November 24th. Final prices will be calculated after the store closes, and credit cards will be charged accordingly.

Orders will ship on December 9th.

Events

Register or Volunteer

Registrations for most events are open, and prices increase each month. Register today for the best deal. If you can’t participate, we’re always looking for volunteers.

Alley Loop | February 1, 2025
The iconic nordic marathon (plus every distance down to 1.5 km) is open. Register today for an unforgettable race through downtown CB and the West Side trails. Or volunteer with us and get front-row seats to the best costume party of the year.

Gothic Mountain Tour | February 22, 2025
This beautiful circumnavigation of Gothic Mountain is a mid-winter classic whether you’re training for the Grand Traverse or just looking for a challenge. Register for the 17-mile recreational race or the 23-mile competitive division. Or volunteer and help us put on this fun, local event.

Grand Traverse Race Series
Ski - March 30, 2025 | Run - August 31, 2025 | Bike - August 31, 2025
The one and only Grand Traverse Triple Crown race series is back. Register for the ski with your favorite backcountry partner and/or test yourself on the run or bike next summer. Triple Crown registration opens on November 17th. General registration opens at midnight on December 1st. Don’t miss out. As always, we’re looking for a village of volunteers for the winter event.

Grin and Bear It | July 12, 2025
Last but not least, if you’re already longing for summer singletrack. Register for the Grin & Bear It 15 km or 25 km races. Or volunteer for a mellow, local trail race.

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.