Nordic skiers gearing up for 15th annual Ski for the Pass race

For one day only each winter, a snow-covered stretch of Colorado Highway 82 is transformed into a groomed cross-country ski course for Ski for the Pass, a 7K classic ski race and tour.

The event, slated for 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, offers skiers a rare chance to traverse the closed section of road from the winter gate east of Aspen to the Lincoln Creek turnoff.

Ute Mountaineer General Manager Paul Perley said all proceeds go to the Independence Pass Foundation, a nonprofit supporting improvements to land around the cherished scenic byway. 

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“Ute Mountaineer does the timing and registration, along with handing out the bibs,” he said. “The Independence Pass Foundation handles all the permits and the portapotty, along with arranging all of the volunteers who help with the event.”

The event has taken place since 2013 and remains the only time this section of Independence Pass is groomed for Nordic skiing. 

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“It’s kind of a one-shot deal every year for skiing in this area, with groomed Nordic trails for classic skiing,” Perley said. “The views are incredible, and it is peaceful up there. It is just a special thing.”

Part of the Ute Cup Nordic Series, the race is capped at 90 participants under a U.S. Forest Service permit. Registration opened Jan. 8, with an entry fee of $20 for adults and $7.50 for skiers under 18, plus processing fees. 

The course is timed, adding a competitive element, but it also serves as a scenic tour for those who prefer a more leisurely pace. 

“It’s a race, but it’s also a scenic tour for people who just want to get outside and enjoy the morning,” Perley said.

Skiers can expect full support along the course, including a warming area at the finish line, a gear shuttle, and an aid station at the Weller Lake trailhead. 

“At the end, there will be a fire pit, along with food and drinks,” Perley said. “Everybody is pretty psyched to make it to the end. My youngest did it when he was six years old, and last year, a five-year-old did. You get people of all different abilities. We’ve had people go up on AT skis, but we ask that they stay out of classic ski tracks.”

The race typically takes between 35 and 45 minutes to complete, with post-race festivities running until noon.

Fat bikes are not permitted on Independence Pass in winter under the current Travel Management Plan, and skate skis are also prohibited for this race. 

“There is just no room for skate skis, and they can damage the classic ski tracks,” Perley said. “We could not have the individuals on skate skis timed either because this is a classic Nordic ski event, and skate skis travel at a much faster pace.

Perley said that his team could not do this race without the City of Aspen Parks and Recreation department.

“They do all the grooming leading up to the race and they also supply a snowmobile and sled to carry everyone’s gear bags to the top and all the race supplies for the top and mid station,” he said. “They are very important for this event.”

More information and registration details are available through Ute Mountaineer at utemountaineer.com.