MT. CRESTED BUTTE TO ASPEN
March 29, 2026
An extraordinary Colorado ski route!
The Grand Traverse is a point-to-point ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen. Racers travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountain range, climbing over 6,800 vertical feet. To ensure competitor safety, racers must have a partner, carry mandatory gear, and begin the race at midnight when avalanche hazard is decreased.
The Grand Traverse is operated as a fundraising event for Crested Butte Nordic, a 501(c)(3) recreational non-profit organization.
Check out the GT Q&A Session with Doug Stenclik, Cam Smith, and Eric Poore.
Thank you, Cripple Creek Backcountry and Dynafit!
REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2027 Grand Traverse opens on December 1, 2026 at midnight. The race is capped at 500 individuals (250 teams) per our Forest Service permits. Historically, the race sells out in under an hour. Although we will maintain a waitlist, we recommend registering promptly if you wish to participate in the 2027 race.
Individuals wishing to enter the 2027 Grand Traverse Triple Crown competition may gain guaranteed entry into the Ski event through priority pre-registration beginning November 17, 2026. See the Triple Crown page for more details.
POLICIES, DATES, and DEADLINES
This is a partner event. One partner will complete the initial registration, and the second partner will have until December 14th to complete their half of the registration. Incomplete teams after December 14th will forfeit their entry.
If one partner is injured or cannot race, an individual may register a new teammate between December 15th and March 8th. The new teammate must register and pay a 1/2 ski team entry.
We will operate a traditional waitlist. As numbers allow, the Race Director will contact waitlisted teams with an event registration link.
We do not offer race entry refunds or transfers between participants.
We strongly recommend purchasing Racer Protection at registration. Racer Protection covers your registration purchase in the event that you cannot attend the event due to unforeseen circumstances (injury, illness, loss of a job, etc.). You can find more information on Racer Protection on the Run Sign Up registration page.
THE COURSE
This is a 40 mile point-to-point, minimally supported event. If you preview any part of the course, backcountry knowledge, preparation, and equipment is absolutely necessary. Please note that the section between Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Brush Creek through the East River Valley travels through private property. This part of the course is closed except for race night. Additionally, the use of the Friends Hut must be booked through the 10th Mountain Hut Division. The hut is not accessible or open for day visitors.
*This 2026 .gpx is intended to give racers an idea of the new start in Town of CB. It should not be used for navigation on course. Some parts may change based on field team route setting.
MANDATORY GEAR
The mandatory gear racers carry into the backcountry is critical. Due to the distance traveled with the potential for rapidly changing weather, each team must be independently prepared for a 24-hour bivouac if conditions dictate.
The listed gear are the essentials required to race. However, every athlete should exercise their own backcountry sense as to what supplementary gear they may wish to pack.
Review the mandatory gear list carefully. Crested Butte is a small town. We cannot guarantee that local stores will have mandatory items available. Check out the gear series videos below with Grand Traverse Champion and Cripple Creek Backcountry for tips and tricks.
A Colorado Outdoor Search and Rescue Card (or a current Colorado hunting/fishing license) is required to participate in any Grand Traverse race. You will have to show proof of purchase at bib pick-up. Do this ahead of time and save yourself the headache. This $5 supports Colorado Search and Rescue and offers great protection in the unlikely case of a backcountry rescue.
2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026
Athlete Clearance & Vendor Expo | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026
Athlete Clearance & Vendor Expo | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Athlete Lunch | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.Mandatory Race Meeting | Lodge at Mountaineer Square Ballroom
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.Coffee Lab Open for Race Night | Mountaineer Square
9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.GPS Tracker Distribution | Crested Butte Community School
10:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.Mandatory Beacon Check | Crested Butte Community School
11:30 p.m. – 11:55 p.m.Mandatory Bib Check | Crested Butte Community School
11:30 p.m. – 11:55 p.m.Blessing of the Freeheelers | Town Ranch Trailhead
11:55 p.m.
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026
Race Start | Town Ranch Trailhead
12:00 a.m.Race Finish | Aspen Mountain Gondola Plaza
6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Podium Ceremony and Awards | Aspen Mountain Gondola Plaza
2:00 p.m.
Information is subject to change. For the safety of racers and volunteers, weather and snow conditions may require a change in the race start time or location, the official course, or race rules – or may lead to cancellation
DROP BAGS & AID STATIONS
There are three aid stops on the run course. Finish line bags will be transported to Aspen.
Gnarly Nutrition is the official hydration sponsor of the Grand Traverse.
SHUTTLES
We offer a post-race shuttle from Aspen back to Crested Butte. Spots are limited. The shuttle leaves Gondola Plaza at 6 p.m.
Shuttles will be available to book on Run Sign Up at registration.
PRIZE PURSE
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Male, Female, Co-Ed Podium Cash Awards:
1st Place - $1,000
2nd Place - $700
3rd Place - $400
Podium winners, age group winners, and randomly selected finishers will receive product awards.
RESULTS
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* Denotes “Reverse” Course
**Denotes “Town of CB Start” Course
2012
Male – Bryan Wickenhauser / Brian Smith 7:32:23
Female - Mary Lewis / Colette Newell 12:01:52
2011
Male – Travis Scheefer / Ethan Passant 9:14:50
Female - Casey Wilson / Brynn O’Connell 11:51:40
2010*
Male – Bryan Wickenhauser / Brian Smith 6:28:16
Female - Emma Lohr / Emma Catmur 9:05:45
2009
Male – Jay Henry / Mike Kloser 9:17:40
Female - Maile Wade / Jenny Hamilton 11:12:10
2008
Male – Jay Henry / Mike Kloser 9:04:05
Female - Rebecca Dussault / Jari Kirkland 10:58:10
2007
Male – Mike Kloser / Steven White 8:46:50
Female - Tina Biddle / Foster Alayne 13:28:00
2006
Male – Jon Brown / Brian Smith 7:52:30
Female - Carol Quinn / Rebecca Dussault 10:30:55
2005
Male – Mike Kloser / Dan Weiland 7:48:30
Female - Sarah Fuld / Janae Pritchett 11:41:25
2004
Male – Jimmy Faust / Pat O’Neill 7:55:50
Female - Carol Quinn / Ingrid Butts 10:26:20
2003
Male – Mike Kloser / Dan Weiland 8:32:30
Female - Elizabeth Becker / Susan Sherman 12:49:20
2002
Male – Dave Penny / Geo Bullock 7:10:24
Female – Carol Quinn / Ingrid Butts 10:08:00
2001
Male – Dave Penny / Geo Bullock 8:17:00
Female - Carol Quinn / Rebecca Dussault 11:25:10
2000
Male – Jimmy Faust / Pat O’Neill 8:32:00
Female - Niki O’Connor / Erica Montgomery 11:31:03
1999*
Male – Jimmy Faust / Pat O’Neill 6:51:33
Female - Virginia Bullock / Niki O’Connor 9:19:02
1998
Male – Travis Moore / Pierre Willie 8:31:50
Female - Virginia Bullock / Deb Curtis 13:19:12
VOLUNTEER
This race takes a village. We rely on our amazing community of volunteers. Volunteer roles will be posted starting October 1st. Thanks for your support!
All volunteer positions have been filled for the 2026 Grand Traverse Ski. Thank you!
Book a room with our preferred lodging partner:
Elevation Hotel and Spa
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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No. Race registration is used to pay contractors and support organizations like Crested Butte Nordic, Crested Butte Avalanche Center, Crested Butte Search and Rescue, Gunnison Valley O.H.V Alliance of Trailriders, Central Colorado Mountain Riders, and Western Search and Rescue.
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No. We understand that life happens and things come up that could impact your ability to race with us. We highly recommend purchasing the racer protection which refunds your registration in the event of job loss, COVID, injury, etc. Learn more about racer protection here.
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Yes. The ski gear list can be found here (be sure to read through all five pages). The run requires a waterproof windshield with hood, hat or buff, gloves, and a CORSAR card or current CO hunting or fishing license. The bike requires the same gear as the run and a bike helmet. Every athlete should exercise their own backcountry sense as to what supplementary gear they may wish to pack.
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Yes. A Colorado Outdoor Search and Rescue Card (or a current Colorado hunting/fishing license) is required to participate in any Grand Traverse race. You will have to show proof of purchase at bib pick-up. Do this ahead of time and save yourself the headache. This $5 supports Colorado Search and Rescue and offers great protection in the unlikely case of a backcountry rescue.
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One partner will complete the initial registration and create a team name (which will need to be shared with their partner), and the second partner will have until December 15th to complete their half of the registration. Incomplete teams after December 15th will forfeit their entry. If one partner is injured or cannot race, an individual may register a new teammate between December 15th and March 9th. The new teammate must register and pay a 1/2 ski team entry.
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We will operate a traditional waitlist. As numbers allow, the Race Director will waitlisted members in the order they registered. The last day we will pull teams from the waitlist is two weeks before the race itself.
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Yes. The Grand Traverse will allocate up to 5 competitive entries per gender in the Trail Run and Mountain Bike events to create a competitive field in each event. Athletes must submit the Summer Grand Traverse Elite Entry Application by Friday, August 15th at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (submit your application early). Entries are at the sole discretion of the Race Director, and athletes will be notified of all decisions by Tuesday, August 19th at 5 p.m.
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Yes, but we do expect our racers to have a good understanding of the route because portions of the course will be done in the dark, and trail markings are hard to see. You can access course maps and descriptions on our website and in the racer manual.
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Please see the racer manuals for full descriptions of aid locations and details.
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We contract with MAProgress to provide live tracking for the Ski event. Each team is required to have a tracking device (either owned or rented) for use during the race. New for 2026: tracking will also be available for the Run and Bike events. Tracking is mandatory and is implemented for racer safety.
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Yes. Each of the three races has different cut-off times and locations. Please see the racer manuals for more details.
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Yes. Shuttles will be available for purchase during registration. The following shuttles are offered (registration cost varies on the contractor providing the service):
GT Ski- Aspen → CB
GT Run- Aspen → CB
Dual Sport Bike Transport - CB→ Aspen
GT Bike- CB→ Aspen
Looking for a training race. Join us for the Gothic Mountain Tour!
February 15, 2026
The Gothic Mountain Tour features a 23.5-mile loop around the majestic Gothic Mountain. This race is unique, tough, and beautiful. The perfect place to test your Grand Traverse systems.
The Grand Traverse is made possible with the generous support of our partners.
