Grand Traverse

Grand Traverse Founded in 1998, three legendary backcountry races across the Elk Mountains. The event benefits Crested Butte Nordic and other non-profits.

The Grand Traverse is a series of legendary backcountry races over the Elk Mountains between the towns of Crested Butte and Aspen, CO. The Winter Grand Traverse is a backcountry ski race that starts at midnight from Crested Butte. In this extreme endurance event, racers climb more than 7,800 vertical feet and navigate in a self-supported backcountry race that tests them physically and mentally. To

maintain safety in the backcountry, racers compete in teams of two and are required to carry mandatory gear. Held annually since 1998, it’s earned a reputation as a true test of toughness for elite local, national and international athletes. The Summer Grand Traverse which started in 2014 features a Mountain Bike and Running Race held over two days.

😅 & 🧸ItDo you need a training race for the Summer GT? Or a dip in Green Lake? The Grin & Bear It is a perfect testing gr...
05/04/2026

😅 & 🧸It

Do you need a training race for the Summer GT? Or a dip in Green Lake? The Grin & Bear It is a perfect testing ground for your fitness on July 11.

Choose the classic 15km out-and-back to Green Lake or the 25km run or bike loop. Both are classic from-town adventures here in Crested Butte.

Sign up: https://www.cbnordic.org/grin-bear-it

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Every year, the Grand Traverse enlists the help of 25+ dedicated avalanche, backcountry, and SAR professionals to staff ...
04/06/2026

Every year, the Grand Traverse enlists the help of 25+ dedicated avalanche, backcountry, and SAR professionals to staff our field teams.

These teams spend the week leading up to the race managing a wide variety of risks and probabilities. They set up and troubleshoot complex radio systems. They conduct snow safety research in places where there's little human traffic. They establish and mark the race route and any needed evacuation routes. They meet every night to talk safety and contingencies.

And then its race day, and they spend all night and all day keeping an eye on every facet of the course and the racers traveling through it.

While it's occasionally a glamorous pow lap (not this year), more often than not it's long hours in the cold doing back-breaking work. We cannot thank these teams enough, and without them the GT simply couldn't happen.
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Every Grand Traverse enlists 25+ avalanche
04/06/2026

Every Grand Traverse enlists 25+ avalanche

This past weekend's 40-mile journey between Crested Butte and Aspen for the 28th evileye.eyewear Grand Traverse was a tr...
04/02/2026

This past weekend's 40-mile journey between Crested Butte and Aspen for the 28th evileye.eyewear Grand Traverse was a true test of grit, perfectly capturing the legendary spirit of the race.

With the worst snowpack in Colorado's history this year, the race seemed to be anything but a sure bet. Veteran field teams began observations and made route adjustments the week of the race to account for warm temperatures and avalanche conditions, and racers began their trek from Crested Butte with 12 miles of dirt before hitting snow. Despite the running start and challenging skiing, over 110 teams completed the journey and earned their place as finishers of one of the ultimate ski mountaineering adventures in the world.

Linking the two mountain towns via skis takes tenacity, resolve, and sheer determination, and the Grand Traverse couldn't make it happen if the two towns that are connected didn't share in those same principles. We can't wait to make it all happen again next year!

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03/29/2026

and Bari Beasely are your Women's Team winners this year with a time of 10:27:41. Great job from this Crested Butte duo!
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03/29/2026

and are the overall winners of this year's .eyewear Winter Grand Traverse with a time of 7:23:53.

Female, Co-Ed, and Male 1st-3rd winners at this year's .eyewear Winter Grand Traverse! Congratulations teams on a hard-f...
03/29/2026

Female, Co-Ed, and Male 1st-3rd winners at this year's .eyewear Winter Grand Traverse! Congratulations teams on a hard-fought podium in this year's race.

.eyewear

03/29/2026

2nd place Co-Ed team Leavin It Up To The Cosmo had a scrappy time out on course, as most teams did, but leveraged their great teamwork to bring the silver.

Address

620 2nd Street
Crested Butte, CO
81224

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+19703491707

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