2027 Winter Grand Traverse

Name: 2027 Winter Grand Traverse
Start: 2027-03-28T00:00:00-06:00
End: 2027-03-28T18:00:00-06:00
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Tickets

Registration

March 28, 2027

12:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

in 159 days

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The Grand Traverse is a point-to-point ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen: 40 miles across the Elk Mountains with more than 6,800 feet of climbing. Racers go in teams of two, carry mandatory gear, and start at midnight, when avalanche hazard is lowest. It is the valley’s signature endurance event and one of the great backcountry races anywhere.

Starts at midnight, Saturday night into Sunday, March 28, 2027, from Mt. Crested Butte. Registration, gear list, and the route at thegrandtraverse.org.

Outdoor Event RSVP Required Shuttle Available

What to bring: The full mandatory gear list from the racer manual, a tracking device (owned or rented), and a Colorado CORSAR card or hunting or fishing license.

Schedule

12:00 AM

Race start

Crested Butte

Teams leave at midnight, when avalanche hazard is lowest.
Morning

Course cutoffs

Elk Mountains

Each checkpoint has a cutoff; see the racer manual.
Afternoon

Finish

Aspen

Finish line bags are transported to Aspen.
6:00 PM

Post-race shuttle to Crested Butte

Gondola Plaza, Aspen

Limited seats, booked through RunSignUp during registration.

Photos

Grand Traverse teams crossing Taylor Flats, photo courtesy Crested Butte Nordic

Grand Traverse racer on top of Star Pass at sunrise, photo courtesy Crested Butte Nordic

Grand Traverse skiers at night, photo courtesy Crested Butte Nordic

Grand Traverse headlamps heading up Brush Creek, photo courtesy Crested Butte Nordic

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Grand Traverse?

40 miles point to point from Crested Butte to Aspen across the Elk Mountains, with more than 6,800 feet of climbing.

Why does it start at midnight?

Avalanche hazard is lowest overnight, and the midnight start puts teams over the high passes before the sun gets to the snow.

Do I need a partner?

Yes. Teams of two register together: one partner creates the team and the second completes their half of the registration by mid-December. Incomplete teams forfeit the entry. If a partner drops out, a replacement can be added for a half team entry through early March.

When does registration open?

December 1, 2026 at midnight, and it has historically sold out in under an hour. The field is capped at 250 teams under the Forest Service permit, with a traditional waitlist after that. Triple Crown finishers get priority pre-registration starting November 17.

What gear is required?

The mandatory gear list is published with the racer manual. Expect to carry everything for a 24-hour bivouac if conditions demand it, plus a tracking device, which is required, and a Colorado CORSAR card or current hunting or fishing license, checked at bib pickup.

How do I get back from Aspen?

A post-race shuttle leaves Gondola Plaza at 6 PM for Crested Butte. Seats are limited and booked through RunSignUp when you register.

Can spectators follow the race?

Live tracking runs through MAProgress, which is the best way to follow a team overnight. The Aspen finish is the place to be in person.

Are refunds available?

No. Registration fees are not refunded, so CB Nordic strongly recommends Racer Protection to cover injury or illness.