Ski Group Definition: Any High School Teams, Club Teams, Adult Training Groups, or anybody organizing with more than 8 skiers.
The Loppet Foundation encourages group activities, but group activity on the trail can create a burden on the capacity of the trail, limiting the enjoyment of other skiers. The Foundation’s philosophy is not to limit the number of skiers on the trails, but to ensure that skiers are following the rules of the trails so that we can accommodate more skiers. With this goal in mind, it is a requirement that any lessons or groups consisting of 8 skiers or larger are required to apply for a group permit.
Group Trail Use
- Every skier and group leader is required to purchase a trail pass and have it visible at all times while on the MPRB trail system. Loppet staff and ski trail ambassadors will be checking for ski trail passes. Trail Passes must be purchased and displayed by all users of the trail.
- All buses will drop off in the Wirth Chalet parking lot. A parking lot map is available to give to bus drivers. Buses are not allowed to remain in the parking lots at Wirth.
- Ski waxing is not allowed inside buildings.
Ski Group Definition: Any High School Teams, Club Teams, Adult Training Groups, or anybody organizing with more than 8 skiers.
Trails and Building Guidelines
- Studio may be reserved for a 10-15 minute meeting time for groups of no more than 15.
- Follow the rules of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Trails.
- Buses are allowed to drop students and coaches off in front of The Trailhead, loading time is 10 minutes. After unloading, buses must park at Wirth Beach (on Glenwood Ave).
- When possible, a Loppet staff member will monitor bus drop off and pick up.
Limitations For Training
- High school teams must complete their training by noon on Saturdays on the man made loop, meaning all athletes must be off the snow by noon. Teams are allowed to ski without restriction from other Wirth Park locations once there is natural snow (eg. Wirth Beach, Cedar Lake).
- The time restrictions for training sessions may change based on public usage and natural snow..
Ski Passes & Pricing
Cross-country skiing in Minneapolis parks is a heavily subsidized activity, even when people pay full price for their passes. We make ski passes available at a discounted rate to youth and school teams in order to support youth, high school, and college skiing in Minnesota. However, there are many patrons who pay full price and we need to respect their needs as well. Accordingly, in return for providing discounted passes to youth and student groups, we require groups to follow the rules outlined on this page which make for a better experience for everyone involved, including the groups themselves. Discount pricing is available through December 15th.
All skiers must have their trail pass displayed at all times when on ski trails.
- Season All-Access ordered by Dec 15th:
- 12 years and older: $55
- 11 years and younger: $35
- Daily All-Access Pass:
- 12 years and older: $16
- 11 years and younger: $8
If you are interested in buying passes for a group or team, please refer to the Youth & Student Group Trail Use and Discount Agreement.
Note: As we approach the upcoming Ski Season, please contact permits@loppet.org, for any permitting or procedural questions.
Races & Other Special Trail Use
Special Use Permits are needed for use on certain areas of the trail system or for specific uses.
Stadium & Trail Event Permit
A Permit is required to host an event on the MPRB groomed trails from one of our event stadiums.
- What constitutes as a race?
- Any timed event with more than one team constitutes needs a permit.
- Any timed event where skiers are wearing bibs needs a permit.
- Any timed event where you have a start and finish line set up and skiers are gathering at the start area needs a permit.
- A race permit reserves use of the stadium area and associated groomed trails. The available trails will depend upon current trail conditions and may be changed at the discretion of the Loppet Foundation.
- Event participants will be exempt from displaying trail passes during the event, but must display an event bib while on the trails.
- Reservation time frame includes setup, the event itself, and tear down. Event participants must be off of the trails at the conclusion of the event, unless they have a valid MPRB trail pass.
- Reservations will be accepted for the Trail 18 Stadium for a maximum of three weekday events per week. The Lower Stadium is available for section races and weekend events. When natural snow is available, events may be held on natural snow trails.
- On weekends, events in the Lower Stadium must be completed by 2:00 p.m. except in the case of pre-approved regional, national, or international events.
- Spectators are not allowed to walk on or stand on the ski trails. Teams need to assist in enforcing this requirement for the safety of all skiers.
- In accordance with our user group priority, stadium & trail event permit applications from the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) will receive priority for the Winter season – so long as MPS is in good standing and their applications are received by May 1 of the preceding Spring. Applications will be accepted from other groups for the Winter season beginning May 1 of the preceding Spring.
- Any changes to the event date will be subject to availability.
Cancellation Policy: The Reservation Fee is non-refundable. If you must cancel your event reservation, cancellation in writing must be received by the Loppet Foundation before we will issue a refund, minus the following fees: Cancellations made 0-14 days prior to the scheduled event will incur a charge of 50% of the full hourly cost plus the Reservation Fee. If you do not show up for your event, you will incur a 100% charge of the full hourly cost plus the Reservation Fee. Cancellations due to weather will not incur a charge for the event cost but the Reservation Fee will not be refunded.
Racing Protocol
- No High School races will be scheduled until 2.5km of ski trails are open.
- Courses can be requested by High School coaches, but final decisions on courses will be assigned by Loppet staff based on how many groomed trails are available, and the anticipated demand for trail use by other users.
- All courses will remain open to the public during High School races. Special arrangements to “close” race courses can be made for Conference Champs and Section Meets as long as they wrap up by 3:30pm on weekdays (all skiers off the snow by 3:30pm).
- Racing availability is as follows: Monday-Thursday from 9am – 3:30pm, Friday from 6pm – 9pm, and Saturday from 5pm – 9pm. Weekday afternoon race times will not be available to accommodate our increase of trail users and allow more people to use the course.
- Parents/spectators will need to be ON COURSE – no spectators will be allowed in the stadium (start/finish) area.
- To schedule a race, please send your inquiry to permits@loppet.org.
Pricing and Permit Application
For information on pricing please check out our pricing and fee schedule. Please fill out a permit application and send to permits@loppet.org.