8th Annual Crested Butte Snocross Blazing Trails for Jan. 27 & 28

Snocross will return to Crested Butte, Colo., for the eighth year and offer heart-pumping action on Jan. 27 - 28. Racers from the western United States will compete for prizes and cash in this Mountain States Snowmobile Racing (MSSR) event that is coordinated by Gunnison County Sno-Trackers.

On both Jan. 27 and 28, the qualifying rounds kick off at 9 a.m., with races to follow at 10 a.m. at the Crested Butte Town Ranch. In all, spectators can enjoy more than 50 races and five hours of excitement over two days. Admission to the races is free, and food will be available.

Snocross is today’s most popular form of snowmobile racing with its high-flying aerial displays and short-track, which makes it both spectator and television friendly. A Snocross track features tight turns, banked corners and a variety of bumps allowing racers to catch "big air" in full view of spectators.

MSSR offers race classes for all ages and skill levels from four years old and up. The four Pro categories include Pro Open (up to 800cc liquid-cooled machines), Pro Stock (440cc), Pro Am Women (600cc), and Pro Am Plus 35 (600cc). In the Semi-Pro category, there will be Open, Performance and Stock classes with machines ranging from 500 cc to 800 cc.

The Sports class will have four categories: Open, Performance, Stock and Stock Fan. Three Novice and two Women’s classes also will race. The Junior class will feature racers between the ages of 10 and 16, while the 120 class is open to children ages 4 – 12.

Bring your snowmobile and get in on the excitement! Racers and non-racers alike can enjoy more than 55 miles of groomed and marked trails and 170 miles of single-track in Gunnison-Crested Butte. For the advanced snowmobiler, try riding the area’s bottomless powder fields, many at 10,000 feet or higher.


For more information about Crested Butte’s SnoCross or to register for the event, visit www.mssrracing.com, call MSSR Race Director Phil Vallem at (970) 326-7305 or call Phil Chamberland of Gunnison County Sno-Trackers at (970) 349-5398.

Location of Gunnison-Crested Butte Snowmobile Trails

Kebler Parking Area: From Gunnison, go north 28 miles, on Highway 135 to Crested Butte. Go straight at the three-way stop in Crested Butte to the next left. This is the first left at the gas station. This is County Road 12, also known as Whiterock Avenue. Follow County Road 12 about 3 miles to the parking area.

Ohio Pass Parking Area: From Gunnison, go north about 4 miles and make a left on Ohio Creek Road. Follow Ohio Creek Road about 12 miles, then take the left at the “Y” in the road. The trail head is about 4 miles ahead. There is limited parking at this trail head.

Erickson Springs Trail Head: From Paonia, take Highway 133 about 15 miles to County Road 12. Take County Road 12 south about 12 miles to the Trail Head.