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The Grand Traverse

Name: The Grand Traverse
Start: 2026-03-29
End: 2026-09-06
Location: Crested Butte, Colorado

location_city Crested Butte

location_on Colorado

flag United States

calendar_today 29 Mar, 2026 – 06 Sep, 2026

directions_bike Cycling

language Official Website

About the Event

The Elk Mountains Grand Traverse was conceived by Jan Runge in the 1990s. The race’s genesis was partially based on the historical mail routes that connected the Colorado mining towns of Crested Butte and Aspen in the 1880s. It also drew inspiration from the Patrouille des Glaciers, a point-to-point ski race in Switzerland which Runge had become familiar with in the 80s. In 1998, with the help of the community, Runge sent a brave field of competitors from Crested Butte, over the Elk Mountains, to Aspen. It worked, and the Extraordinary Backcountry Ski Race was born. In 2012, event ownership was transferred to Crested Butte Nordic. The race is now a major fundraiser for the organization. In 2014 the Grand Traverse summer events were launched. Now the Grand Traverse features a winter ski race, a summer mountain run, and a mountain bike race.

Races Offered

Ski

Mar 29, 2026

straighten

Distance — 40 Miles

terrain

Type — Mountain biking

timer

00:00

Triple Crown

Mar 29, 2026

straighten

Distance — 40 Miles

terrain

Type — Mountain biking

timer

00:00

Dual Sport

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 80 Miles

terrain

Type — Mountain biking

timer

06:00

Run

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 40 Miles

terrain

Type — Mountain biking

timer

06:00

Bike

Sep 06, 2026

straighten

Distance — 40 Miles

terrain

Type — Mountain biking

timer

07:00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for March in Crested Butte.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat -9.5° / 1.5°

wb_sunny -13.9° / -3.2°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 6.9 /

water_drop 64.6%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat -9.5° / 1.5°

wb_sunny -13.9° / -3.2°

air 6.9 km/h

water_drop 64.6%

About Crested Butte

Crested Butte is a ski resort in the Rocky Mountains region of Southwestern Colorado. Crested Butte is a destination for skiing, mountain biking, and outdoor activities.