Team AVSC News
Owl Creek Chase announces 2026 date, $5,000 cash purse
November 9, 2025
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The legendary Owl Creek Chase returns on January 18th, 2026, inviting skiers to take on one of Colorado's most iconic and beautiful Nordic Races. The 25km point-to-point course links Snowmass to Aspen through winding trails, aspen groves, and snowy meadows with stunning mountain backdrops. Registration is now officially open.
“The Owl Creek Chase is one of the most beloved events in the Nordic community here and a favorite stop for Nordic racers across the state,” said Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Nordic Program Director Sophie Hamilton. “There are few point-to-point races of this length in the United States that cover such beautiful terrain, and it's a race that captures the spirit of Nordic skiing in this valley - challenging, stunning, and a community coming together behind the scenes to make it happen.”
The Owl Creek Chase is also one of the longest-running Nordic ski races in Colorado, with origins extending back to the mid-1980s and the opening of the Owl Creek Trail. Today, AVSC organizes the Own Creek Chase in partnership with the city of Aspen, continuing the legacy of this community event. AVSC’s Nordic program has steadily grown and today serves over 350 Nordic youth athletes skiing in Aspen, Basalt, and Carbondale, many of whom will be out racing in the event.
This year's event offers a $5,000 cash pot for the race, and courses for everyone:
Part of the Ute Series, the Owl Creek Chase is offering early bird registration pricing through Dec. 17. Registration is $50 for Junior and $60 for seniors for the Owl Creek Chase, $30 for Juniors and $40 for Seniors for the Owl Creek Tour, and $15 for the Owlet kids race. Online registration is now open at the AVSC website here.
(Photo by Sarah Kuhn)
“The Owl Creek Chase is one of the most beloved events in the Nordic community here and a favorite stop for Nordic racers across the state,” said Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Nordic Program Director Sophie Hamilton. “There are few point-to-point races of this length in the United States that cover such beautiful terrain, and it's a race that captures the spirit of Nordic skiing in this valley - challenging, stunning, and a community coming together behind the scenes to make it happen.”
The Owl Creek Chase is also one of the longest-running Nordic ski races in Colorado, with origins extending back to the mid-1980s and the opening of the Owl Creek Trail. Today, AVSC organizes the Own Creek Chase in partnership with the city of Aspen, continuing the legacy of this community event. AVSC’s Nordic program has steadily grown and today serves over 350 Nordic youth athletes skiing in Aspen, Basalt, and Carbondale, many of whom will be out racing in the event.
This year's event offers a $5,000 cash pot for the race, and courses for everyone:
- 25K Owl Creek Chase – a timed, point-to-point race.
- 15K Owl Creek Tour – a relaxed, untimed, and slightly shorter version of the same breathtaking route.
- Owlet Race – a fun 1km kids’ event at the AVSC Clubhouse.
Part of the Ute Series, the Owl Creek Chase is offering early bird registration pricing through Dec. 17. Registration is $50 for Junior and $60 for seniors for the Owl Creek Chase, $30 for Juniors and $40 for Seniors for the Owl Creek Tour, and $15 for the Owlet kids race. Online registration is now open at the AVSC website here.
(Photo by Sarah Kuhn)