Skill level: Intro, Intermediate. Effort level: Casual, Recreational.

The Loppet Ski Club is designed for people who are new to cross country skiing or want to become better recreational skiers.  We mainly ski on the trails at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis. The snowmaking trails give us reliable snow earlier in the year. Many who join the club are skiing for the first time, are looking to ski with other people, or are simply trying to find a way to love winter in Minnesota! Others have been long-time skiers but have never had a lesson or training program. It’s also a great way to motivate yourself to ski regularly while building your skills on the snow.

Regardless of motivation and experience – ALL are welcome! This year we are trying hard to make it easier to get new skiers involved in this wonderful activity.

We have a Fall program to help you get ready for the season and a Winter ski program.  You don’t have to be in the Fall program to be in the Winter program.

What:  The Fall program is designed for adult recreational skiers. Beginners will learn technique without the complication of using slippery skis, while more experienced skiers will benefit from a tune-up and re-emphasis on ski-specific training after a long summer with no snow.

We will start each week as a group then sort into small groups based on skier fitness and experience. Each group will do a combination of technique specific drills, fitness, strength, agility, and balance work.

When:

• Monday evenings 6:30 – 8:00, September 8 through October 27 (8 sessions)
• Wednesday mornings 9:00 – 10:30, September 10 through October 29 (8 sessions)

Where: The Monday evening group meets at the start time in the field at the corner of Glenwood and Xerxes. Parking is at Wirth Beach or in the neighborhood near Xerxes and Glenwood. Note- there is a Monday evening volleyball league at Wirth Beach in September, so parking is tight.

Where: The Wednesday morning group will meet and start from the Wirth Beach parking lot. Most of our Fall training will be in the Eloise Butler section of Theodore Wirth Park- about a mile south of the Trailhead.

Equipment: Running shoes or other trail shoes are most important. Bring ski poles (or hiking poles) if you have them. If you do not have poles, come anyway, as these workouts can also be done without poles. For evening groups, you may want to add a headlamp. We know the trails well, but it will be dark in the woods later in September. For new skiers- we recommend that you wait to buy equipment until after you speak with one of our coaches- we can probably help you get better gear for less money. The inexpensive headlamp sold at the local hardware store is usually sufficient. The headlamp can also be used in the winter.

Extra workout options: We will recommend additional weekend options to help you get in your best ski shape. Those will include a hike leaving from Wirth Beach most Saturday mornings at 900am.

Communication- for all Ski Club activities

1. You will receive at least one email with more detailed instructions about your group. This will come to the email address used at registration.
2. For in-season communication we use the Stack Team App. This app is available through Google Play or the Apple Store and is used successfully by other Loppet programs. You will have access to all communications relevant to your group, and perhaps more importantly- to information and schedule for our Open Ski/ Saturday programs. Install the app on your phone, search for Loppet Ski Club, and ask for admission to your group.

Wait List– each group will have a waitlist. Each year we are able to add skiers as the season progresses. Those on the waitlist will receive priority. Open Ski Clubbers will receive second priority. If space remains available, we will open registration to the public.

What: The winter program is designed for adult recreational skiers. Skiers register
for one weekday (or evening) session that includes instruction/ coaching. All
Saturday Open Ski Club activities are included with registration.
We always break into groups based on ski experience and fitness. There is a
beginner focus at the start of the season for those who need it, and more advanced
instruction for others. The season-long group approach evolves as your skiing
improves.

When: Classes begin in early November and end in early February. We start a few
weeks before the snow arrives so we can get in shape for the season.

Options are:

Monday evening classic plus Open Ski Club, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Classic skiing. Appropriate for all levels of classic skier- from beginner to
experienced. There will be a focus on fundamentals for those who need it.
Experienced skiers will receive more advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of
the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.

Tuesday morning classic plus Open Ski Club, 9:30am – 11:00am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a
focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more
advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore
Wirth Park.

Tuesday morning skate plus Open Ski Club, 9:30am – 11:00am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a
focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more
advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore
Wirth Park.

Wednesday evening skate plus Open Ski Club, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Appropriate for all levels of skate skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be
a focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more
advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore
Wirth Park.

Thursday morning skate plus Open Ski Club, 9:30am – 11:00am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a
focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more
advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore
Wirth Park.

Thursday morning classic plus Open Ski Club, 9:30am – 11:00am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a
focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more
advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore
Wirth Park.

Thursday evening “no beginners” skate plus Open Ski Club 7:00pm –
8:30pm

Appropriate for skate skiers who are comfortable on the hills at Theodore Wirth.
The Thursday group will have a technique emphasis and instruction each week and
will plan to keep skiing all night. We expect to have two groups with similar fitness
and skill. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.

Plus- included for all groups:
Saturday: 9:00am to 11:00am. Open Ski Club (see below)

What: All Open Ski Club activities are included for everyone who registers for the Loppet Ski Club. In addition, there is also a shorter season Open Ski Club only registration available. Activities will be the same. The Open Ski Club sessions (usually Saturday mornings) are focused more on going out to ski with the club. The snow season affects our offerings but- We put extra focus on helping beginners, and schedule advanced technique clinics when we can. Most weeks we have a group skiing on Minneapolis trails (including Wirth), but we also take groups to other wonderful trails in the area

When: Begins in early November and end in early February. We start a few weeks before the snow arrives so we can get in shape for the season. We will schedule additional activities during the season.
Open Ski Club Saturday 9:00am – 11:00am plus other activities appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. Our primary goal is to get out and ski with a group. Coaches may provide some instruction, especially to beginners, but the main focus is on enjoying this wonderful winter activity.

Where: