What to Know: Alley Loop Schedules & Road Closures
A Crested Butte tradition is back for the 29th year, the Alley Loop Ski Marathon will take skiers through town alleys and on some of the most pristine groomed track in all of Colorado. There is much more then just a nordic ski race, below is the information you need to know whether you are participating or trying to avoid road closures.
Friday, February 6th
The festivities kick off on Friday at 3:00pm with the 3rd annual Alley Loop Fat Bike Race Presented by Oskar Blues. Not many places can say they have a fat bike race on their main street, especially with the sport bing so young. Same day registration for all races up to one hour before start, or you can register today here. $25 dollars for a solo racer, or $35 for a team. You are required to run 3.5″ + tires and no more then 10 PSI (to ensure proper flotation.) The race is in lap format lasting 90 minutes + 1 lap and is sure to be fun if you are a spectator or participant.
Pub Crawl
Friday night is host to the pub crawl. 10 bars will be participating and you will play a game at each. The person or group with the highest points at the end will win a special prize! Costume are encouraged and you may even receive additional pub points! Registration is capped at 200 people, register here.
| 2:00pm | Fat Bike Race registration at the Brick Oven Pizzeria |
| 3:00 - 4:30 | Pub Ski bib pickup and registration |
| 3:00 | Fat Bike Solo Race start |
| 3:00 - 7:00 | Nordic Marathon bib pickup at Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall |
| 3:00 - 7:00 | Nordic Marathon last minute registration at Queen of All Saints, Parish Hall |
| 3:10 | Fat Bike Team/Relay Race start |
| 5:00 - 7:00 | Pub Ski |
| 7:00 | Pub Ski Awards |
Saturday, February 7th
Saturday is the main event with a number of different ski disciplines racing for through Crested Butte’s Historic Downtown and beyond. While some come out to dress up and have fun others will be trying to qualify for the American Birkebeiner one of the premier nordic events in the United States. Below are the start times for all of the 8 races taking place.
| 8:00 - 10:00am | Nordic Marathon day of race bib pickup at the Visitors Center (Chamber of Commerce) |
| 9:30 | 3 km Kids Race |
| 9:31 | 1.5 km Kids Race |
| 9:40 | 42 km Classic Race |
| 10:00 | 42 km Skate Race |
| 10:05 | 21 km Freestyle Race |
| 10:05 | 21 km Classic Race |
| 10:15 | 10 km Freestyle Race |
| 10:20 | 5 km Freestyle Race |
| 11:30 | Kids awards at Nordic Center |
| 10:00 - 2:00pm | Elevation Beer Garden at Nordic Center |
| 12:45 | 42k Classic 3rd lap cutoff |
| 1:00 | 42k Skate 3rd lap Cutoff |
| 2:30 | Race cutoff time |
| 4:00 | Nordic Marathon Awards Ceremony and Raffle at Bonez |
Road Closures
To make this event possible there are some road closures to look out for. Unfortunately this years lack of snow has narrowed down the closures and has also relocated the start of the Nordic Marathon to the Crested Butte Nordic Center, not Elk Avenue like previous years.
Important Notices for Locals:
Please plan to move your car before parking restrictions go into effect. We apologize for the inconvenience. We appreciate the community support of this festive event. Please call us with any questions.
Streets Closed from midnight Thursday February 5th until 3 p.m. Saturday February 7th:
Elk Avenue both sides, from Old Kebler to First
Elk/Maroon Alley: between First and Second
Streets Closed from midnight Friday February 6th until 3 p.m. Saturday February 7th
Maroon Ave: North side of street from the bridge East to entrance of Totem Pole Park (cars will be able to cross the bridge but might have to wait for race traffic to pass – please obey course marshals there)
Butte Ave: South side of street from Third to Kapushion Alley Entrance
First Street: Entire street between Beckwith and Maroon/Elk Alley
First Street: Both sides of street between Elk & Maroon
Third Street: East side of street (one lane) between Totem Pole Park and Butte Avenue
