5K Ski Loppet

Fun 5K ski event for skiers of all ages and abilities.

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

5K Ski Loppet

Saturday, February 1: 11:00am

The 5K Ski Loppet is open to skiers of all ages and abilities. Whether this is your first year skiing or your eighty-first year in the sport, this event is for you!

Families or new skiers get to enjoy the excitement of being on the amazing Theo Wirth Park ski trails in a non-competitive outing. While more advanced or high school skiers putting a bow on their seasons can ski off the front to push their limits. This is the perfect event to just be a part of the excitement, enjoy the beautiful trails, and cross the finish line with big smiles. Cowbell for everyone!

This event is freestyle technique, meaning you can classic or skate ski the course. While there are prizes for the winners, fun and community rule the 5K!

Younger skiers looking for shorter course options should check out the Next Generation Loppet, which has 3K, 2K, and 1K options.

GALLERY

Register

5K Loppet

Registration Opens Oct 7

Register

5K Loppet - Youth (16 and under)

Registration Opens Oct 7

Register

Proceeds from the 5K Ski Loppet 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

Schedule & Packet Pickup

Schedule

Thurdsay, January 30: 4pm-8pm: Packet pick up at Utepils Brewing

Friday, January 31: 4pm-8pm: Packet pick up at The Trailhead

Saturday, February 1:

11:00am: 5K Ski Loppet Begins
10:00am-3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between Mortenson Parking Lot and the Trailhead.
10:00am – 3:00pm: Utepils Beer Garden and Festival Village
10:00am – 3:00pm: Changing Area in Trailhead locker rooms (showers not available)
10:00am – 3:00pm: Finisher food inside the Trailhead

Map & Course

Course Markings

The race courses will all be marked with arrows of a specific color (know your color before you start). For the timed races, there will be marshals at key intersections, but participants are responsible for staying on course. Please always heed course marshals as courses may have to be changed depending on conditions. In addition, listen to start line instructions for any course or marking changes.

Transportation

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Race Day Parking and Shuttle

Mortenson Lot: Participant and spectator parking, walking distance to the festival. A shuttle bus will be running between Mortenson Parking Lot and the Trailhead from 10am-3pm, leaving the Trailhead every 15 minutes on the quarter hour.
Participant and spectator parking available on street in nearby neighborhoods.

Parking Maps

Trailhead Area Map. To give you an idea of the Festival Village layout.
Chalet Lot Drop Off Zone: Shows the location in the Chalet Lot where dropoffs and pickups at the Trailhead will be allowed (if you are not using the special skijor parking permits). Dropoff/Pickup is not available at the Trailhead.

Thursday Packet Pickup Parking

Trailhead Small North Lot: Closed (venue), Dropoffs/Pickups allowed (no parking)

Trailhead Large South Lot: Open but may be limited.

Chalet Lot: Open but may be limited.

Drop off / Pickup

Dropoffs and pickups will be allowed at the Chalet (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy). 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

Road Closures

Make note of these for getting around race morning. Be sure to let your spectator fans know as well.

- Theodore Wirth Pkwy from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave: Closed Saturday (7am-2:30), Sunday (7am-12pm)

Festival Village & Post-Race Party

Refreshments! 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 2024. 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!

Indoor Changing Area – Trailhead locker rooms. Showers not available.

Race Bibs: In an effort to reduce the waste generated by thousands of bibs, the Loppet will collect all bibs at the finish. We wash and reuse the bibs from year to year. Please return your bib after the race. Thank you for helping us reduce waste and move toward greener events!

FESTIVAL VILLAGE

Awards

Top 3 in the Male, Female and Non-Binary Overall categories will receive a handcrafted wood plaque. Podium ceremony will happen near the Finish Line right after the results are official. There will not be age group awards for the 5K (but look for glory or your proof of adventure in the results).

Volunteer

The Loppet needs help in all capacities supporting the participants during the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival.

All Festival volunteers will receive an exclusive winter volunteer hat!

Please sign up to volunteer by clicking the button below. If you have any questions, please email volunteer@loppet.org.

Volunteer Signup

VOLUNEER

OUR SPONSORS

Official Beer sponsor

Tortor Quam Malesuada

Nibh Purus Sem

Ultricies Venenatis Commodo

Become a Corporate Partner

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

FAQ

Can I change my race distance or transfer my entry to a friend?

The deadline to make race distance changes is 4:00pm on the Friday a week before the race. After that, a registrant wishing to change to a shorter distance will need to register and pay the full fee for the new race distance.
You can change which event you registered for through RunSignUp. Click here for a video on how to switch your registration and instructions to help with troubleshooting. Event transfers can be made up until 11:59 p.m. on May 13.

What does my entry fee go towards?

Entry fees go towards the production of the event and The Loppet mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community!

When will the participant guide be published?

Typically we send it out to registered participants and post it on the event website about 1 week ahead of the event.

Are there any special group discounts?

Email events@loppet.org if you’re part of a run club to see if there’s a way for us to partner with each other.
As a way to recognize the Dakota land we run with and steward, all Indigenous people can participate in any Loppet event for free by emailing events@loppet.org and requesting a discount code

Are dogs allowed at this event?

While we love your furry friends please leave them at home for these large Loppet events.

Are strollers allowed?

The Juneteenth Fun Run is fully on pavement and is our stroller friendly course. All other event courses are not conducive to strollers (CityTrail Loppet, Utepils Trail Loppet, City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival, Luminary Loppet). Spectators are welcome to have strollers around the venue though.

Who do I contact about the race if I have a question?

The Loppet Foundation
1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55422
events@loppet.org
612-604-5330
Registration: registration@loppet.org
Sponsorship: sponsorship@loppet.org

I have special accessibility requirements, who can I talk to about this?

Reach out to events@loppet.org and we can talk about how we can support you.

Do people ever take breaks during the race?

Yes! This is your race, take the breaks you need to feel good during your event. All Loppet races have course cut off times, check the participant guide for the course cut off time that you have to be finished by.

I’m a spectator, where should I watch or what do I need to know?

Check the Mtec app to see if there’s live tracking for the event.
Check the course and transportation sections of the website for details
Loud cheering, fun signs, cowbells, noise makers, music are all highly encouraged. Please keep cheers and signs positive and respectful.
Food & beverages are available for purchase at the finish line (best to bring your credit card!)