January 5, 2007 – The 21st Annual Alley Loop Nordic ski race on Feb. 3 is not only the highest-altitude Nordic marathon in the United States, it reflects the fun-spirited and hearty character of Crested Butte, Colo. The American Birkebeiner qualifying race starts and finishes on Elk Avenue, one of Colorado’s largest National Historic Districts, and winds its way through alleyways, streets and the trail system located on the outskirts of this historic mining town. The Alley Loop, also a Colorado Cup Series Race, combines Crested Butte’s laid back atmosphere with the locals’ play-hard nature to create an event that embraces all abilities and ages competing on skate or classic skis. Course lengths of 1.5K, 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K are offered, allowing all skill levels to participate. Organized by the Crested Butte Nordic Center and sponsored by Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty, the races begin at 9:30 a.m.

While the Alley Loop has a serious side as a qualifier for the American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon, locals host parties on their decks to watch racers from across the country and survey the attire of less-serious competitors. During this giant winter costume party, be on the lookout for “Hot Dog Man,” “See-Through Genie,” groups of alley cats and fairies, and plenty of cowboys and cowgirls under 4-feet tall!

Raffle prizes will be awarded to the overall winners, volunteers and the “The Croatian” (the lucky racer who finishes with the exact median race time). Register online at www.cbnordic.org or by calling (970) 349-1707. The cost varies based on race length.

Crested Butte Nordic Center Facts
The Crested Butte Nordic Center is a full-service cross-country center providing lessons and complete rental packages for skate and classical skiing, as well as ice skating, snowshoeing, and sledding. The Nordic Center maintains more than 45 kilometers of groomed trails that meander through and around Crested Butte. For the second season, a Bombardier 180 snowcat with tiller and dual-track setting capabilities will be used for trail grooming.

Located in the heart of town at Second Street and Whiterock, the Nordic Center will be open for the season until April 8 and is connected to Crested Butte Mountain Resort and various stops in Crested Butte by a free shuttle bus. For more information about the Crested Butte Nordic Center and its winter 2006/2007 calendar of events, visit www.cbnordic.org.

Gunnison County is home to a plethora of Nordic talent such as 2006 Olympian Rebecca Dussault; Ingrid Butts, former Olympian and 1991 American Birkebeiner champion; Jeff Banks, former Division I Nordic skier and current Rocky Mountain Division coach; and the Western State College Nordic team.


Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages
For a complete winter calendar of events or to book personalized vacation packages and request visitor information, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association’s reservations center at (800) 814-8893 or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is served year-round by United Airlines and during the winter season by American Airlines.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options – from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.

Recognized as the “Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature, Crested Butte is the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and Crested Butte Academy, a private college preparatory boarding and day school with special emphasis on world-class alpine, snowboarding and high altitude distance running programs. Gunnison, a real western town, is home to the beautiful, high-country campus of Western State College, a four-year institution offering 22 majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields, and the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country’s newest national parks. Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.