Gothic Mountain Tour

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

The Gothic Mountain Tour race is annually held in mid February. To register, or find more detailed information about the event, click here.

Known locally as the "Little Brother" to the Grand Traverse ski race, the Gothic Mountain Tour provides participants with just about half the distance and half the elevation gain as the more formidable Grand Traverse course. With that said, the GMT delivers arguably more spectacular vistas and longer backcountry descents over its 22 mile race course.

Course Description:

Section 1 - Crested Butte to Painterboy
The race begins at the Crested Butte Community School/Town Ranch trailhead.
The race heads east on Tony’s Trail, a groomed nordic track.
In less then 2 miles the route leaves the Nordic trail system and becomes a climbing traverse heading on the summer Upper Loop trail, leading to the ski resort. From the CBMR boundary, racers will ascend to the top of the Painter Boy Lift. Here a strict 7:45 AM CUTOFF will be enforced. (Mile 4) .

Section 2- Painterboy to Gothic Townsite
After descending the North Pass ski run, racers will begin their climb of Snodgrass (Mile 5.2)
The course climbs approximately 600 vertical feet onto a bench before transitioning to descend to Gothic Road at the Rosy Point bend (Mile 6.2).
The route continues on a gradual descent on the Gothic Road leading to the Gothic
Townsite (Mile 9.2) . 9:00 AM CUTOFF will be enforced.

Section 3 - Gothic Townsite to Magic Meadows Yurt Finish
The route continues on the road past the Townsite until the junction with USFS Trail 403. Turning left, the trail ascends for about 2,000 vertical feet to the "Top of the World" (Mile 13.6)
Passing this check-point, the route descends a ridge a few hundred vertical feet to a saddle, which then ascends back to the top of Anthracite Mesa, roughly 400 vertical feet. After topping this last high point, racers will embark on a 2000 foot descent to the bottom of the Slate River valley.

Once on the valley floor near the Pittsburg Homesteads (Mile 16.3) , the course turns LEFT (south) on the Slate River Road for approximately 4 miles. Once at the Oh‐Be‐Joyful campground
turnoff, the course veers RIGHT (west) leading you to the Gunsight Bridge crossing the Slate River. Beyond the bridge the course connects with Mike’s Mile, a groomed nordic track (Mile 20) .

The course continues south on Mike’s Mile for 1.5 miles to Magic Meadows Yurt, and the finish line, where cold beer, warm soup, music and smiling faces await you!