2002

First meeting of community members organize a ski race intended to start at Theo Wirth and finish at the Chain of Lakes.

2003

First City of Lakes Loppet ski race.

The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation is founded with John Munger as the first  Executive Director

The first youth program – Get Outside! – engages kids to paddle, trail run, bicycle, and more in Wirth Park.

2004

KidSki (now Minne-Loppet) began at Bryn Mawr Elementary.

2005

The Foundation established non-profit status, operating with only three full time staff.

2006

First Luminary Loppet attracts roughly 150 participants who enjoy a candle-lit ski around Lake of the Isles.

The Trail Loppet and the now discontinued Tri-loppet & Run For Snow are held as fundraising events for snowmaking at Wirth Park 

2008

The Luminary Loppet expands to include an ice pyramid, fire dancers and the first appearance of the Ice-Cropolis. The event attracts over 1,300 participants, with total City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival participation at 3,500.

2009

The Foundation expands year-round programming, testing the Adventure Camp concept and bidding for the U.S. Ski Association’s Junior Olympics.

2010

The Foundation raises additional funds to secure U.S. Junior Olympics, expanding and widening Hap & Judy Trails to create a five-kilometer competition loop that is certified for national and international events, and to build the Upper Stadium.

The Foundation runs the Minnesota chapter of Trips for Kids, a program offering mountain bike excursions.

First Loppet Adventure Camp is held at Wirth Beach.

2011

The Foundation hosts the first U.S. Ski Association Junior Olympics (now known as Junior Nationals).

The ​​Foundation starts a second middle school based program with the Nellie Stone Johnson Ski & Bike Team, what is now called Junior Loppet.

2012

The Foundation hosts the International Paralympic Committee Paralympic World Cup, with athletes from all over the world.

The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation is renamed The Loppet Foundation.

Go! Training and Minnesota Valley come under the Loppet umbrella to create what is now Loppet Nordic Racing (LNR) Juniors.  

The first Pre-Loppet event is held (now known as the Low-pet Law-pet Challenge).

The first Mayor’s XC Ski Challenge, the Loppet’s annual FIS & US Ski & Snowboard sanctioned ski race (always includes juniors, sometimes includes adults).

2013

Foundation launches FAST KIDS (now Trail Kids), a program specifically designed for youth 9-13 years old, with locations at Minneapolis Rose Gardens and Wirth Park

Foundation enters partnership with Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board; begins working to open a transformational adventure center in Wirth Park.

Expansion to summer programs with adult mountain bike and canoe programs, an expanded Tri-Loppet Summer Festival, a sold out Trail Loppet and an LNR Fast Kids Mountain Bike Race Series.

2014

The Foundation creates a Development Department and Capital Campaign Committee to continue its partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and raise funds for the Trailhead building. Charities Review Council certification is received, showing the Foundation meets the standards of governance, finance, fundraising, and public communication.

Over 400 runners participate in the inaugural CityTrail Loppet.

2015

Loppet High School invite begins.

2016

Operating agreement established with MPRB, outlining snowmaking/grooming/trail maintenance/winter equipment rentals.

2018

Trailhead building opens.

Masters XC World Cup – First international nordic skiing event for age groups 30-85 years old.  Included racing over 8 days with athletes from 24 nations.

Inaugural running of the Loopet Loppet.

Activation at Super Bowl Live on 400m stretch of artificial snow on Nicollet Mall including Skijoring, classic sprint, skate sprint, sledding, snowshoeing races, and fat biking.

2019

The Loppet begins early staff equity work.

Wirth on Wednesday (WOW) weekly mountain bike race series kicks off.

Loppet Run 365 begins under the leadership of 1500m World Champion and 4-time Olympian Abdi Bile. In addition to fostering elite running development, the program reaches the Minneapolis Somali community through non-english speaking running groups (youth, junior and senior). 

2020

FIS World Cup cancelled due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. The Loppet as an organization weathers the pandemic by scaling down operations.

Founder John Munger moves on, and Claire Wilson is appointed as new Executive Director.

2021

The Luminary Loppet pivots to Theo Wirth, the Trailhead is closed to the public, and events and programs are transitioned to online and hybrid formats.

Annual Meeting transitions to annual Community Celebration.

2022

Staff and Board renew commitment to new mission and values, the first Equity Advisory Team (EAT) and Loppet Environmental Action Project (LEAP) convene.

Trailhead Art gallery launches.

First Loppet Field Day is held.

The Loppet hosts Junior National Cross-Country Ski Championships.

2023

Art, Nature and stand-alone Paddling programs piloted, along with additional community events: senior socials, Stay Active In Living (SAIL), and more.

Inaugural Juneteenth Fun Run 5k begins.

2024

The Loppet Foundation, Share Winter Foundation and U.S. Ski & Snowboard host the COOP FIS Cross Country Loppet Cup – one of the only World Cups to be held in a major metropolitan area – and the first on U.S. soil in two decades.

The Loppet secures LCCMR Grant funding for a new two-year Stories of Connection project, which kicks off in partnership with the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), to collect and share stories from North Mpls & BIPOC communities about their connections to the outdoors, nature and Theodore Wirth Park.

Loopet Loppet evolves into Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ Loopet Loppet in collaboration with Indigenous community.partners.

Meghan Cosgrove appointed as the Loppet’s third Executive Director.

Receive DNR CPL grant for Habitat Restoration project.