Those interested in sampling the soul of cross country skiing need look no further than Crested Butte, site of the 24th annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon on Saturday. The highest-altitude nordic marathon in the U.S. starts and finishes on Elk Avenue in the heart of Crested Butte’s National Historic District, winding its way through streets, alleys and the nordic trail system on the outskirts of the Victorian village. The Alley Loop is a Colorado Cup Series race that serves as a qualifier for the American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross country ski marathon, but wouldn’t be complete without the traditional Crested Butte sideshow of deck parties and costumed competitors racing to the Brick Oven beer garden. Course lengths of 1.5K, 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K are offered for all ages, with the 1.5K and 3K races beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the rest starting at intervals beginning at 10 a.m.
Info: Visit for race information and online registration, or call 970-349-1707.
