The Al Johnson Telemark Ski Race Crested Butte

Al Johnson Telemark Ski Race Crested Butte – The 49th Annual Al Johnson Telemark Ski Race is this weekend Saturday March 19th at 1:00pm just below the top of Paradise lift.  By Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Crested Butte Avalanche Center. Proceeds to benefit the Crested Butte Avalanche Center.

Racers will climb 660 vertical feet followed by a 1,200-foot descent through Crested Butte’s infamous Extreme Terrain.

What a fun event this is. This is another ski event you should not miss in Crested Butte with fun costumes, spring weather, a race on Telemark Skis that goes Uphill and Downhill, and Crested Butte people who love to have fun!

The Crested Butte Al Johnson Ski Race includes a small group of athletes who are competing for their best times or to win plus a ton of “racers” who show up, dress up in great costumes, and have a good time here in Crested Butte!

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The Al Johnson Telemark Ski Race Crested Butte Date. Time. Place.

March 19, 2033  – 1:00pm Start Time. Awards party on the deck of Butte 66 — 3:00pm – 5:00pm.

Awards – Fastest Time, Costumes

Registration for the Race – $40 per person. Get tickets here!

The Al Johnson Telemark Ski Race Crested Butte Details

The Crested Butte Al Johnson Ski Race race starts near the base of the North Face Lift with all the competitors grouped together. The racers quickly separate themselves and the creative costumes (and perhaps some pre-race partying) tend to slow down the remainder of the field.

All the competitors will climb approximately 800 feet to the top of the ridge, then they must ski down approximately 1,200 feet of double black diamond extreme terrain and finish skiing (or sliding) down the Last Steep ski run.

Competitors are required to ski using free-heel telemark equipment. Not easy on a normal day, and quite a bit harder with the bulky costumes (some are skiing together in group costumes). There is usually quite a bit of carnage at this point in the race and some competitors are cleaning up their “yard sale” and carrying skis, poles and pieces of their costume as they cross the finish line.

About The Crested Butte Al Johnson Ski Race

The Al Johnson Memorial Uphill/Downhill Telemark Ski Race (commonly referred to as “The Al Johnson”) is named because of a very brave and hearty soul who delivered mail throughout the winter on long wooden skis in these mountains over 100 years ago. This race has a long history in Crested Butte and first started in 1974. The race is a fundraiser for the Crested Butte Avalanche Center.

Video of Al Johnson Telemark Ski Race Crested Butte

This is another fun Crested Butte event. If you’re looking for a good time, check it out!