Elk Mountains Grand Traverse

One of the most interesting and challenging backcountry ski races on the planet celebrates 11 years of memorable moments and amazing athletic feats on March 28 – 29, 2008. Registration for the 11th annual Elk Mountains Grand Traverse, a backcountry ski race that follows mail routes that connected the Colorado mining towns of Crested Butte and Aspen in the 1880s, began Dec. 1. Act quickly as the quota of 125 teams fills very quickly.
Race Overview

At midnight, approximately 250 racers (125 teams of two racers each) will depart from the traditional starting line at the Crested Butte Community School in town, catch the old Upper Loop Trail, skirt along Hunter Hill Road and drop into Crested Butte Mountain Resort ski area in Mt. Crested Butte. Cheering crowds, torches and a firework display will greet the racers as they pass through the base area just below the Silver Queen lift.

After the parade review, the teams climb up and over Crested Butte Mountain Resort terrain, exiting just below the East River lift, crossing the East River valley, turning down stream and rejoining the course on Brush Creek Road before climbing over two mountain passes. Several hours later, on March 29, racers arrive in Aspen bleary-eyed and exultant at the finish line.