Each year, the Colorado towns of Crested Butte and Aspen welcome hundreds of Grand Traverse participants, volunteers and spectators. Sharing a long history, these distinctive towns offer some of the best winter and summer recreation in Colorado.
Many racers enhance their Grand Traverse experience with stays in Crested Butte or Aspen before or after the race. In addition to great downhill and Nordic skiing, these very different towns over a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife. The Grand Traverse also features a number of events that let participants and their guests meet enthusiastic backcountry skiers from around the world, test the newest equipment, relax before the race and celebrate afterward.
GRAND TRAVERSE EVENTS
Crested Butte – All Events Open to the Public
Nachtspektakel 5:00PM Tuesday March 26, 2013
Join other racers and sponsors at the Elevation Hotel outdoor fire pit to skin up to the Ten Peaks restaurant for a dinner at sunset. Located at the top of Painter Boy lift, Ten Peaks has a stunning view of the valley. Dress warm to sit outside at the firepit and enjoy chili, cornbread, salad, dessert and a choice of beer, wine, or soda for just $30 person. To register, go to Rock n Roll Sports, the Alpineer or on-line at http://dynafitnachtspektakel.zapevent.com. For questions, please email wick@elkmountainstraverse.com
Vendor Expo: Come check out the latest gear. 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Thursday, March 28 and from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Friday, March 29 in the Grand Ballroom at Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte.
Dynafit “Skin with the Pros”: Here’s your chance to get tips from pro randonee racers and past Grand Traverse winners. Sponsored by Dynafit. 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 28. Meet at the base of Red Lady Lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Up-hill pass required, available free at CBMR ticket office.
Extreme Adventure Film Festival: Join racers and their guests for an evening of adventure films from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM on Thursday March 28 in the Grand Ballroom at Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte. Cost is $5 for all non-racers.
Mountaineer Square is situated at the base of the ski hill in Mt. Crested Butte, about a 15 minute drive from the Town of Crested Butte. Mountain Express runs free shuttle buses from town to the mountain. Please visit www.mtnexp.org or call 970-349-5616 for the schedule.
Aspen – All Events Open to the Public
Finish Line Party: Welcome the racers to Aspen! 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday March 30 at the base of Aspen Mountain.
Check out the latest gear and cheer on the finishers. Podium ceremony will take place at 2:00 PM for the top 3 finishers of Men, Women, and Coed.
Grand Traverse Party & Raffle at The Ute Mountaineer: Join race participants, volunteers and guests to celebrate another great Grand Traverse. 4:00PM – 5:00PM Saturday March 30 at The Ute Mountaineer at 210 South Galena Street (corner of S Galena St and E Hyman Ave).
Awards Ceremony: Recognize the outstanding performance by top finishers in all categories. 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Saturday March 30 at the Aspen Elks Lodge located above the Ute Mountaineer. Cost is $15 for all non-racers.
Free Community Concert: See the winners announced at 7:30PM and enjoy music by DJ Naka G and Grouplove at 8PM.
DINING
Crested Butte restaurants: www.cbchamber.com
Aspen restaurants: www.aspenchamber.org
NIGHTLIFE
Spectator’s can enjoy THE dance party of the year in the Gunnison Valley before the race starts. Local radio station KBUT’s Soul Train will take place on Friday, March 29th at 9pm at Butte 66 in Mt. Crested Butte. As with last year, the disco-clad denizens of Soul Train will be able to cheer on the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse racers as they start from the CBMR base area on their epic journey to Aspen!
Transportation: The Mountain Express Town Shuttle will run late on Friday, March 29 for KBUT’s Soul Train event and the Grand Traverse. From Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte to Crested Butte, the Town Shuttle will run every 15 minutes with its last run from Mountaineer Square to Crested Butte at 2:00 a.m. If you miss the last buses, the Late Night Taxi will be running its regular late-night service and can be reached at (970) 209-0509.
Crested Butte local events: www.skicb.com
Aspen local events: www.aspensnowmass.com
For more information on this great area and all it has to offer, please visit the Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism Association website. www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com
A complete schedule of events can be found under the Event Schedule page under the Athletes tab on this website.
