Winterstart 5km Classic + 5km Freestyle Race
 
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 11am (classic), 12:30pm (freestyle)
Place: Skyway Trailhead on Grand Mesa
Registration: Online here. Race day registration also available (+$5).

 

The GMNC likes to start early and stay late! Join us for another long season of fun ski racing for racers of all types on some of the best snow and terrain in the U.S. Our races are challenging for the top athletes, but also fun for the rest of us who just want to get out and test ourselves against an enjoyable course.

 

The Winterstart is a 5km race with two chances on the same course to test your early season fitness. The first race is classic, the second is freestyle, and one race fee gets you entry to one or both races. It’s a two-for-one opportunity to race yourself into shape! We encourage you to heed tradition and do both races, but we won’t turn you away if you only want to take part in one.
The race course is shown below.
This race is part of the Grand Mesa Nordic Race Series presented by Empowered Energy Systems.

 

Races take place at Skyway Trailhead off of Highway 65 on the Grand Mesa.5k Classic race starts at 11 am (series points will be awarded for the classic race only).
5k Freestyle race starts at 12:30 pm (points and cash prizes will not be awarded for this race)One entry fee gets you entry to both races (but you aren’t required to do both). 
$25 entry fee for current members of the GMNC
$30 entry fee for non-members
$20 entry fee for collegiate racers and racers age 18 or younger
$35 race day entry

ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. Please register on site, starting at 10am. 

NOTE: Road closures do happen on Grand Mesa, and there can be weather so nasty even us nordic stalwarts find it necessary to postpone a race. Please check the website or our Facebook page for late-breaking news regarding races before heading up.
For more info, contact [email protected] or call 970(200)-6337.