Boulder, CO – British outdoor clothing brand, Montane, is eager to announce their title sponsorship of Colorado’s legendary Grand Traverse endurance race series from Crested Butte to Aspen. A brand that has become synonymous with light, fast, highly functional gear, Montane aims to bring their mountain ethos and support to US events, starting with one of the most renowned endurance races in the Rocky Mountain West.
Established in 1998 by Jan Runge, The Grand Traverse ski race is a grueling ski traverse from Crested Butte to Aspen, where racers travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountain range and climb over 6,800 vertical feet. The ski race’s inception was partially based on historical mail routes in the area that connected the then mining towns of Crested Butte and Aspen in the 1880s and draws inspiration from the Swiss point-to-point ski race Patrouille des Glaciers. The race annually draws hardcore mountain endurance athletes from across the Rocky Mountains and beyond.
"Montane is the quintessential partner to align with our Grand Traverse race series,” said Grand Traverse race director Andrew Arell, “We're elated to partner with a legacy expedition brand, one which embodies the same ethos of our events intrepid backcountry challenge.” He continues, “Having the backing of an established manufacturer innovating within mountain apparel couldn't be more ideal. This partnership ensures the gritty legacy of Grand Traverse events will continue to thrive, providing endurance athletes with transcendent backcountry race experience.”
With the addition of the Grand Traverse Summer series bike and run race in 2015, the event has rapidly evolved to form what is referred to as “The Grand Traverse Triple Crown”. The ultimate competition for the ultimate mountain athlete, the Triple Crown is Colorado’s preeminent multi-sport, multi-season endurance challenge.
“For over 25 years Montane has worked closely with serious mountain professionals working in hostile conditions across the globe as a proving ground for our garment design,” said Matt Hickman from Montane. “We’ve been proudly sponsoring events like the Dragon’s Back Race, Spine Race, and Yukon Arctic Ultra, and The Grand Traverse is the perfect fit for us. Montane is right at home when it comes to supporting core endurance athletes in some of the harshest environments.”
The 2022 Grand Traverse Ski Race roster filled in under 12 hours this Fall, with the Mountain Run and Mountain Bike races following suit as they near capacity. The partnership between Montane and The Grand Traverse ensures the legacy of the series and will keep the race intact as a space for the true mountain endurance athlete.
About Montane
For more than 25 years, Montane has been providing innovative, lightweight, and breathable clothing and equipment for endurance sports and activities in some of the world’s toughest, most extreme environments. Montane is driven by a love of the wilderness and adventure, and it is this which has positioned them to where they are today as a key component of the outdoor scene. Montane’s kit is the perfect fusion of functionality, durability, and simplicity. Whether it is kit to enjoy the still and reflective moments in nature, through to the exhilaration of adventures that make you feel truly alive, the brand’s goal is to make multi-activity adventures more accessible through an inclusive approach.
Media Contact: Charlotte Eldredge / Denny, ink. / charlotte@dennyink.com / 307.200.6001