The Grand Traverse
The ultimate backcountry ski race, The Grand Traverse was conceived by Jan Runge in the 1990’s. 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. A midnight start and a 40 mile ski course with over 7,000 ft of elevation gain brings over 400 plus racers to the Gunnison Valley and Roaring Fork Valley to race this extraordinary race. Taking place on parcels of land 1% for Open Space helped leverage, part of the registration costs are donated to 1%.