Cirque Series - Crystal Mountain

Event overview

The Cirque Series race at Crystal Mountain, Washington is scheduled for September 19, 2026 at the Crystal Mountain Resort base area. The course is listed at about 7.7 miles with 2,544 feet of elevation gain. The event is capped at 700 entries and offers the following divisions: Sport, Expert, Pro, and Volunteer. Entry price for the competitive divisions is shown as $99; Volunteer entries are free. A $2 National Forest fee applies. Timing is handled with a disposable chip attached to the back of the bib. Prizes are awarded by division: Pro cash prizes ($1,000 / $250 / $150), Expert gear awards ($400 / $250 / $150), and Sport gear awards ($300 / $200 / $100). Additional recognitions include youngest competitor, wisest competitor, an unofficial MVP, and a middle-of-the-pack award. Season points and overall standings are tracked across the Cirque Series, with belt-buckle awards for season finishers.

Course and safety

The route starts at the resort base area, follows Kelly’s Gap service road for about 1.7 miles to the Green Valley trail, then ascends to Grubstake (highest point at 6,861 feet) and runs along the summit ridgeline past the gondola and Summit House. The course continues on technical single-track to the Crystal Mountain Trail, through Powder Bowl, Bear Pits, under the Forest Queen chairlift, past Elizabeth and Henskin Lakes, along Silver Creek Trail, across alpine creeks and old mining camps, then up to Gold Hill before returning to the base via a service road. The course lies within the Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Organizers state the route will be well marked with orange flagging; competitors must follow flagging and marshal instructions. There is a strict summit cut-off of 1.5 hours (competitors over the cut-off will descend by gondola). Skratch hydration is provided at aid stations and the finish. Course routing is subject to change. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.