Event Series: Birkebeiner Qualifier Series

The Alley Loop 2025

Name: The Alley Loop 2025
Start: 2025-02-01T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-02-01T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Crested Butte, Colorado

February 1, 2025

Picture of racers on course through Crested Butte town from the sidelines

Updated August 12, 2024

For any Nordic skiing enthusiast, The Alley Loop is a race that needs to be on your calendar. This isn’t just a race; it’s an event that perfectly marries the challenge of a premier Nordic marathon with the fun and eccentricity of a Crested Butte costume party. As an official Birkebeiner Qualifier Series event, The Alley Loop attracts serious competitors, but it’s the unique combination of serious skiing and lighthearted revelry that truly sets it apart. Strambecco rates the annual ski event, The Alley Loop in Crested Butte, Colorado as one of the Best Nordic Ski Races in the Rocky Mountains.

Event & Course Info

Picture yourself gliding through the snowy streets and narrow alleyways of downtown Crested Butte, with cheering locals lining the route in outrageous costumes. The Alley Loop course weaves through town, crossing bridges and navigating tight turns, making for a race that’s as unpredictable as it is exhilarating. Once you break free from the town’s bustling streets, you’re rewarded with pristine tracks and stunning views as you ski through the expansive Crested Butte Nordic trail network.

The Alley Loop offers several race distances, ranging from a family-friendly 1.5k to a challenging 42k marathon, ensuring that skiers of all levels can find a race that suits them. The 42k Marathon course features a mix of rolling hills and flat sections, with an overall elevation gain that will test even the most seasoned skiers. Expect to navigate narrow alleyways, snowy bridges, and wide-open trails, all while soaking in some of the best views in the area. A perfect middle-ground race, the 21k Half-Marathon course offers a taste of both the town’s quirky charm and the Nordic trail network’s natural beauty. This distance is ideal for those who want a significant challenge but aren’t quite ready to tackle the full marathon. The course includes many of the same features as the 42k, including those pesky but fun alleys and bridges, before heading out into the more serene parts of the trail network. Aid stations are strategically placed throughout the course, but racers are encouraged to carry their own water and snacks, especially as the race strives to be waste-free—no disposable cups will be provided.

The 10k course is a great option for those looking for a shorter, faster race. This course is perfect for skiers who want to enjoy the atmosphere of The Alley Loop without committing to a longer distance. The 5k, 3k, and 1.5k race options are shorter races designed for families, beginners, and anyone looking to join in the fun without too much of a physical challenge. The 1.5k and 3k courses are especially well-suited for younger skiers and adaptive athletes, as they are sit-skiable and feature gentle terrain without any major elevation changes.

After you’ve crossed the finish line and caught your breath, the festivities are far from over. The awards ceremony takes place where prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each race category, as well as for the best costumes. The celebration continues with the After Party, featuring music, dancing, and plenty of opportunities to swap race stories with fellow participants. So grab your skis, don your wildest costume, and get ready to embrace the fun and challenge of The Alley Loop! Registration for the race will start in October.

Area Accommodations & Things to Do

Coming soon!

Related Events

The Alley Loop is a part of the Birkebeiner Qualifier Series. The American Birkebeiner, often referred to as the “Birkie,” is the largest cross-country ski race in North America. Held annually in late February in northern Wisconsin, it stretches from Cable to Hayward, covering 50 kilometers for skate skiers and 55 kilometers for classic skiers. This iconic race, inspired by the historic Norwegian Birkebeiner, has become a cornerstone of the global cross-country skiing calendar. Qualifying for the Birkie is a goal for many skiers, and there are several key events in the Birkebeiner Qualifier Series.

Multi-sport athletes looking for other premier races and events in Colorado and the broader Rocky Mountain region can take a peek at all of our related Strambecco Best rated event guides: