Marathon, Puoli, Tour Ski

UPDATE: Park at Mortenson and take the shuttle to the start. Trust us. Read the update in the Participant Guide.

City of Lakes Ski Loppet

City of Lakes Ski Loppet is one of the flagship events of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival. This long distance, point-to-point event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The COLL Ski Loppet takes racers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. Skiers of all ages and abilities will be challenged and thrilled by this beautiful urban course. Go for your best time, or simply enjoy this unique ski experience that features an incredible mix of urban skiing and wooded natural trails.

Saturday, February 4, 9:00am: Classic Ski Loppet (classic/diagonal stride only)

Sunday, February 5, 9:00am: Skate (Freestyle) Ski Loppet. Expect elite-level competition in the Best of the Loppet first wave – spectators can catch the start and see the skiers again a short distance from the start as they complete a lap around Cedar Lake.

The Loppet Challenge: Do both the classic (Saturday) and skate (Sunday) Loppets! Yep, back-to-back days. Save approximately 15% registration by signing up for the Challenge. In addition, all Challenge participants will receive a 11×17 festival poster. Anyone who registers for the Loppet Challenge or for both the Loppet Classic/Skate separately will be included in the Challenge results.

City of Lakes Ski Puoli

Thos 20K point-to-point ski event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The Ski Puoli Loppet takes skiers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. This event follows the course of the other big events, but skips most of the hardest hills.

Skiers of all ages and abilities will be challenged and thrilled by this beautiful urban course. Go for your best time, or simply enjoy this unique ski experience that features an incredible mix of urban skiing and wooded natural trails.

Saturday, February 4, 9:45am: Classic Ski Puoli (classic/diagonal stride only)

Sunday, February 5, 10:00am: Skate (Freestyle) Ski Puoli

City of Lakes Ski Tour presented by Summit Orthopedics

Enjoy the beautiful urban wilderness of Theodore Wirth Park in this recreational event, perfect for skiers of all ages and abilities. The Ski Loppet Tour is approximately 10 kilometers, making it a great introductory distance for novices and an enjoyable outing for veterans with a grand finish at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park.

Saturday, February 4, 10:15am: Classic Ski Loppet (classic/diagonal stride only)

Sunday, February 5, 10:30am: Skate (Freestyle) Ski Loppet

Start Location: All 2023 point to point races begin at Cedar Lake, 2501 Cedar Lake Pkwy, Minneapolis MN 55416

Waves: Final waves and start times will be emailed and posted in the Updates section a few days before the event. The Skate Loppet first wave, The Best of the Loppet, is meant for the top competitive skiers. While the early part of the course features wide trails, we also use pacing or finish predictions asked during registration help us set waves that reduce congestion on the trails.

Finish Location: All races finish at The Trailhead, Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis MN 55422

Parking and Transportation: Please see notes below. Our point to point participants use a variety of methods including shuttle bus, metro bus, skiing or walking to the start, dropoffs/pickups by friends, etc.

• NEW (2/3/23): SKATE LOPPET WAVES. Please know your wave. Three waves each with a distinct blue bib color. Wave 1 has race numbers in the 1000s, Wave 2 in the 2000s and Wave 3 in the 3000s. Every wave is a fun wave!
• NEW (2/2/23): PARTICIPANT GUIDE
• Course Update: Point-to-Point races start moving to Cedar Lake. (1/25/23)
• Course Update: Kenilworth Channel/Lakes Update (1/13/23): Though this season is throwing us a couple of big curveballs, we are still on solid ground for a point to point course. Despite special permission and great support from the LRT crews, it is now looking like it will not be feasible to use the Kenilworth Channel due to a combination of construction obstructions, open water and the normal need to snow in under the bridges. We are currently looking at a couple of options for the point to point races including a pretty cool urban detour and a fun and tested start on or near Wirth Lake (that still gets all the hills and woods you love in Bog/Butler). We are also monitoring conditions on the lakes. Currently, the lakes cannot be groomed due to extensive and unusual slush conditions that are causing many on ice winter events to pivot. But we still have some time for winter to do its thing. Stay tuned.
• We are using RunnerTag for photos! You can look up your race number to see if we caught any pictures of you. We can’t make promises but we do try to get everyone!

Proceeds from the Loppet, Tour and Puoli Ski Races benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.

Registration and transaction fees are non-refundable, including in the event of delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of an event or program. An event or program registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person's name will result in disqualification.

A Note About the Data We Collect

Registration Policies

If you wish to change events (e.g. changing race distance), please follow these instructions: RunSignup Event Transfer Instructions.

Registration and transaction fees are nonrefundable, including in the event of cancellation. Registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person’s name will result in disqualification.

For other questions about registration, please email registration@loppet.org.

Packet Pick Up

Packets (bibs and other goodies) will be available for pickup at the following times and locations:

• Thursday, February 2: The Trailhead, 4pm-8pm
  • Pick up your packet on Thursday and get a tootsie roll!
• Friday, February 3: Utepils Brewing (225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN), 4pm-8pm
  • Pick up your packet on Friday and get a tootsie roll!
  • Packet pickup will not be available at the Trailhead on Friday (only Utepils)
• Saturday, February 4: The Trailhead, 7am-3pm (note that this is not recommended for point to point races unless you are already there for Saturday Trailhead races. Parking will be limited.)
• Saturday, February 4: Cedar Lake, 7am-10am (for Saturday point to point races only)
• Sunday, February 5: Cedar Lake, 7am-12pm (for Sunday point to point races only)

Course Map

For those that like to zoom in: 2023 Point to Point Google Course Map. You can select and deselect certain layers including your course, the Cedar Lake Start Area, and the parking/shuttle info. And see below for the overall picture.

Course Markings

The courses are marked with colored arrows on sandwich boards located at trail junctions. Course marshals may also be present at critical junctions to guide and cheer you on. Know the color of arrow you should be following for your race (it is also always our goal to match your bib color with your arrow color – this also helps course marshals know which course you are doing).

• Loppet-Blue arrows
• Puoli-Red arrows
• Tour-Green arrows

Aid Stations

In general, aid stations are stocked with water, energy drink (Gatorade), simple snacks and some energy gels (aid stations later in the race for longer races).

Cutoff Times

For the safety of both participants [insert appropriate] and volunteers, skiers must reach the following positions by the designated times. Skiers who do not reach these positions in time will have to turn in their bib/chip. A representative from our medical team will be on hand to help evaluate the health and risk of continuing for the participant. Please respect their decision. A sag wagon will be available to bring the participant to the appropriate location, e.g. finish area to get a bag, medical team for further observation, to their vehicle, etc. If the participant is deemed healthy to continue and declines a sag ride, they may continue with the understanding that they are now like anyone from the public. Volunteers may no longer be available (course marshals, aid stations, etc.) and the participant should know the trails. Note that these times are quite generous and few skiers have trouble meeting these cutoffs, but please choose your event appropriately for your speed, experience and skill level.

• Saturday Classic Ski Events: Reach Glenwood Ave Aid Station – 12:00 pm
• Sunday Skate Ski Events: Reach Glenwood Ave/Wirth Beach – 12:15 pm

Thursday

• 4pm-8pm: The Trailhead
  • Pick up your packet on Thursday and get a tootsie roll!

Friday

• 4pm-8pm: Utepils Brewing (225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN)
  • Pick up your packet on Friday and get a tootsie roll!
  • Packet pickup will not be available at the Trailhead on Friday (only Utepils)

Saturday

• 7:00am – 10:00am: Cedar Lake – Bib Pickup
• NEW: 7:30am – 11:00am: Mortenson to Cedar Lake Shuttle Bus (time for Tour/Shoe fans to take the bus back to Mortenson and then get a shuttle to the Trailhead)
• 8:00am – 10:30am: Cedar Lake Bag Drop (Got Junk trucks and Start Line Corral)
• 9:00am: Classic Ski Loppet Begins
• 9:45am: Classic Ski Puoli Begins
• 10:15am: Classic Ski Tour Begins
• 10:00am – 2:30pm: The Trailhead North Parking Lot Bag Claim
• 10:00am – 3:00pm: Utepils Beer Garden and Festival Village
• 10:00am – 3:00pm: Changing Tent Heated
• 10:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Food Station
• NEW: 10:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between The Trailhead and Mortenson

Sunday

• 7:00am – 12:00pm: Cedar Lake – Bib Pickup
• 8:00am – 12:00pm: Cedar Lake Bag Drop (Got Junk trucks and Start Line Corral)
• 9:00am: Skate Ski Loppet Begins (waves every 5 min)
• 10:00am: Skate Ski Puoli Begins
• 10:30am: Skate Ski Tour Begins
• 9:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead North Parking Lot Bag Claim
• 10:00am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Changing Tent Heated
• 10:00am – 3:00pm: Utepils Beer Garden and Festival Village
• 10:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Food Station
• NEW: 10:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between The Trailhead and Mortenson

Bus: Please consider taking the bus (Metro Transit)!

Ski or Walk: If you live near Cedar Lake, consider walking or skiing to the start! If you skiing back home please cheer on and give right of way to the skiers still competing (and snowshoers and bikers on Sunday).

Race Day Parking

Point to Point participants should park in the Mortenson Parking Lot and take the shuttle bus to the start at Cedar Lake.

CRITICAL NEW INFO: Shuttle

• Shuttle Bus Schedule
  • Route 1: Mortenson to Cedar Lake, 7:30am-11:00am, running continuously
  • Route 2: Trailhead to Mortenson, 10am-3pm, every 15 min on the quarter hour
  • After the race, there is no shuttle returning to Cedar Lake. Walk back to Mortenson or take the shuttle.

Dropoffs and Pickups

• Dropoff at Cedar Lake: There is very limited parking in the neighborhood near the Cedar Lake start. There is some space on Cedar Shore Dr near W 25th St. Zoom in on the Start Area layer of the google map above. There is no parking on the east side of Cedar Shore Dr. There is a plowed path crossing the median to Cedar Lake Pkwy. Do not park on Cedar Lake Pkwy for dropoff!
• Pickup in Theodore Wirth Park: Dropoffs and pickups will be allowed at the Chalet (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy), approx 1/4-mile walk from the finish at the Trailhead. Please note that access to the Trailhead will be closed at Hwy 55. You will need to approach the Chalet via Plymouth Ave from the east or Golden Valley Rd from the north. The Trailhead is unavailable for pickups. Your fans are also welcome to park at Mortenson Parking Lot and you may walk (approx half mile) from the finish to their vehicle or take the Trailhead-Mortenson shuttle bus. We recommend that you consider putting dry walking shoes and socks in your race bag.

Road Closures

For your information on getting around race morning (and for your spectator race fans to know). Note the road sections and closure times below. Zoom in on the Google Course Map above and select the Road Closure layer.

• Glenwood Ave from Xerxes to Theodore Wirth Pkwy: Saturday (7am-1pm), Sunday (7am-2pm)
• Theodore Wirth Pkwy from N Wayzata Blvd to Glenwood: Saturday (7am-1pm), Sunday (7am-2pm)
• Theodore Wirth Pkwy from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave: Saturday (8am-2:30), Sunday (8am-12pm)

All bags dropped off at the North Beach Parking Lot on Saturday and Sunday (for the point to point races starting at Bde Maka Ska) will be transported to the finish area near The Trailhead at Wirth Park. We will provide bag tags, but you will need to bring a fully enclosed or duffel-type bag for your personal items. Do NOT leave wallets or other valuables in your bag as the Foundation will not be responsible for these items. Please leave the kitchen sinks and lead weights at home.

• NEW: Staying Warm and Start Corral Bag Drop! At the start, keep your warm clothes on and stuff them in your bag (bring your own bag!) just before the start and hand them over the fence or place them in our snowmobile tubs or on the tarps. You are also welcome to save us a trip and take them to the Got Junk truck that will be parked near the boat launch. There is no warming tent at the start though we will have a few fire pits near shore and away from the start. Please dress warmly and label your bag clearly with your race number. We will provide bag tags, but you will need to bring a fully enclosed or duffel-type bag for your personal items.
• Bag Claim is located in the Trailhead-North Parking Lot just after you exit the finish area under the bridge.
• Heated Changing Tent – Just across from Bag Claim. We will also have ski racks for you to “park” your skis. Get changed and head into the Trailhead for beer, chili, and good cheer.

Utepils Beer! All skiers (that are of age) get one free beer (or alternative soda) at the finish at the Trailhead! Please have ID available. Additional beer may be purchased on site by participants or spectators.

Chili! For years, the Loppet has served Captain Ken’s Chili at the finish line. It is our goal to do that again in 2023. Just what a tired skier needs to start the recovery process!

Sponsors! Our sponsors help make everything happen and better! Please visit and thank them for their support. We are sure you will have some fun with them, too!

NEW: Race Bibs: In an effort to reduce the waste generated by thousands of bibs, the Loppet will collect all bibs at several post-race locations. We realize that some participants would like to keep their bib for their own personal “wall of fame” and that is OK. But if you are indifferent and know that it would sit on a corner shelf and eventually end up in the trash, please return your bib after the race.

• Bib Drop Locations: Finish line, bag claim and the Trailhead exit.
• And, yes, it also saves the Loppet significant expense which allows us to direct more finances toward our mission-based programs.
• We are hoping to reuse the vast majority of our Festival bibs to allow them to live out a full and active life. Thank you for helping us reduce waste and move toward greener events!

Classic and Skate Loppet

Commemorative medals for first-year finishers, commemorative pins for multiple-time finishers.

Awards for top male and female finishers. Must be present to receive cash awards packets.

• Skate:
  • 1st Place: $1,000, Gear West Water Bottle Belts
  • 2nd Place: $600, Gear West Water Bottle Belts
  • 3rd Place: $400, Gear West Water Bottle Belts
  • 4th Place: $200, Gear West Water Bottle Belts
  • 5th Place: $100, Gear West Water Bottle Belts

• Classic:
  • 1st Place: $300, Gear West Water Bottle Belts
  • 2nd Place: $150, Gear West Water Bottle Belts
  • 3rd Place: $75, Gear West Water Bottle Belts

The Flower Ceremony for the first three male and female category finishers will happen at the finish line podium immediately after the race. Top finishers should report to the podium within 5 minutes of finishing. Medal stickers for first through 3rd place male & female 10-year age categories 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39 . . . 80+. (These may be picked up at the Awards Booth as soon as results are posted.)

Classic and Skate Puoli Loppets

Commemorative medals for all finishers.

Gear West Swix Water Bottle Belts for the top three male and female category finishers.

The Flower Ceremony for the first three male and female finishers will happen at the finish line podium immediately after the race. Top finishers should report to the podium within 5 minutes of finishing. Medal stickers for first through 3rd place male & female 10-year age categories 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39 . . . 80+. (These may be picked up at the Awards Booth as soon as results are posted.)

Classic and Skate Ski Tours

Commemorative medals for all finishers.

2023 Results: Loppet Festival 2023

2023 Photos: Loppet Festival 2023

• Search by name or bib number!
• 31km Skate Loppet – Part A – Len Bernstein
• 31km Skate Loppet – Part B – Len Bernstein
• 19km Skate Puoli Loppet – Len Bernstein
• Mixed Participants – Ski, Bike, Snowshoe – Len Bernstein

2022 Results: Loppet Festival 2022

Skate and Ski Tour Sponsor