The Alley Loop is the biggest nordic ski race in Colorado, and it takes place right in downtown Crested Butte. Whether you are coming out to watch, race, or just put on a costume and glide around town, here is everything you need to know.
Today is the last day to save 10%.
The American Birkebeiner Qualifier with a Twist is also Colorado's biggest cross country ski race!
When you have over 700 people skiing through the streets and alleys of town, things can get pretty crazy. At the west end of Elk Avenue, you can watch racers try and make the downhill corner off of Old Kebler Pass as they come back into town for their next lap. Also, narrow bridges and alleys make for good entertainment. Please make sure you don't crowd any of these parts of the course. They are already narrow enough! Don't miss the start of the main event, the 42K Skate, on Elk Avenue at 9:20 and the finish of the Alley Loop Nordic Marathon Champions around 11:15. The flowers ceremony takes place at noon on Elk Avenue, and the Alley Loop Nordic Marathon Champions will be awarded the $5,000 cash purse. Don't miss the kids race at 1:00 p.m. - it makes for some adorable entertainment!
The Alley Loop is a costume party! Don't forget yours!
The SkiGo Wax Service provided by Boulder Nordic Sport is SOLD OUT
Wax Them Yourself: Toko Wax Recommendation for the Alley Loop
Forecast/Conditions: Overnight low 20F, temp at start of 42 & 21 km races, 22F rising to 30F by noon; cloudy with a 30% chance of light snow during race.
Glidewax: Apply LF Black, scrape and brush, then apply HF Blue, scrape and brush. Finish by crayoning JetStream Blue, iron hot (320F) with a layer of fiberlene under the iron, traveling slowly (60 seconds) tip to tail. Brush with a dedicated nylon polishing brush and polish with a thermopad.
Gripwax: Roughen base with 150 grit sandpaper, iron in Nordic Base Wax Green, cork smooth, let cool. Then apply 2-3 alternating layers of Nordic GripWax Red & Blue, corking between layers. Finish with a layer of Blue. For 42K, add 2-3 extra layers of kick wax depending on your technique and/or ski flex.
Structure: A fine linear structure covered by one pass with the Blue Structurite tool (before JetStream application) will best suit these conditions.
Created by Murray Banks, Toko Tech Team member since 2010
Check the Wax Tips page at TokoUS.com before all of your races for the latest waxing information. The Toko Race Wax Tips offer racers precise waxing advice on how to make your skis perform optimally for a given event. For racers who don’t have top end waxes, skip the Fluorocarbon (JetStream) and substitute the LF or NF wax of the same color (Yellow, Red or Blue). To see optimal application procedures for both Glidewax and Gripwax, go to the How To link at TokoUS.com.
Stop by the Toko/Swix tent at the expo area on race morning for wax advice. If you missed the wax, they can help with last-minute adjustments on a first come, first serve basis.
The Pub Ski is SOLD OUT
Fischer Demos
Try out the latest and greatest from Fischer on Sunday after the race from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nordic Center at 2nd and Whiterock.
The Alley Loop Yurt Dinner
There are only a few spots left in our Yurt Dinner on Saturday evening after the Alley Loop!
