Elk Mountain Grand Traverse

Ski Mountaineering is the Newest Olympic Ski Discipline, Nordic skiing is Touchstone for its American Pioneers

Ben TheyerlJuly 8, 2022

“Skimo” will be the newest Olympic ski discipline when it premiers at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games. In 2022, those ready to represent the USA are bringing what they learned from their Nordic skiing background to higher peaks, steeper downhills, and techier technique. The details of ski mountaineering are dizzying. Take the little challenges unique to each discipline of skiing, amalgamate them together into one race, and you’re left with “Skimo,” which may or may not...

Community Nordic Nation Podcasts

Nordic Nation: A Backcountry Ski Race on Skinny Skis – Simi Hamilton and Ben Koons Take Second at the 2022 Montane Grand Traverse

Rachel PerkinsApril 8, 2022

Tucked deep into snowy valleys, the tiny iconic Colorado mountain towns of Aspen and Crested Butte are separated by a mere 40 miles by foot, but roughly 200 miles by car in the winter. Separating the two is the expanse of the rugged Elk Mountain range, which features six of Colorado’s 14’ers, peaks that reach above 14,000’. Now meccas of outdoor recreation, the two towns were historically established as profitable coal and silver mining sites,...

Multimedia Nordic Nation Podcasts

Nordic Nation: Intentional Versatility in the Masters Athlete Lifestyle with Elite Ski Mountaineering Athlete Cam Smith

Rachel PerkinsMarch 29, 2021

If you have the good fortune to spend time in the Gunnison Valley of Colorado, perhaps on Crested Butte Nordic’s extensive trail system, exploring the Elk Mountain backcountry on mountain bike or skis, or taking laps on Mount Crested Butte, you may cross paths with a friendly red-haired resident who is likely moving faster and breathing easier than you are. Known locally as an aerobic machine, 25-year-old Cam Smith embraces all mountain sports as training...

Interviews News US Ski Team

Hamilton Poised for More World Cup Podiums with Same Relaxed Demeanor

Jason AlbertOctober 25, 2016

Over the dryland season, U.S. Ski Team sprinter Simi Hamilton has been working on improving his double poling and as always -- keeping the soul fed with adventure training. “I have been playing around with a much shorter range of motion on the climbs to keep my tempo much higher,” he explains.

Other Racing

Grand Traverse’s Fabled ‘Nordic Guys,’ Koons and Mallory Notch Fifth

Alex KochonApril 4, 20133

While most of the top contenders in the 2013 Elk Mountain Grand Traverse last Saturday ascended the point-to-point trek on backcountry racing gear, Ben Koons and Linden Mallory toughed it out on nordic skis. They finished fifth, the best result by two Aspen skiers in the race's 16-year history.