City of Lakes Ski Loppet is one of the flagship events of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival, with the distance usually around 30K (26K for 2025). This long distance event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The COLL Ski Loppet typically takes racers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park – this year though (2025) due to low snow levels skiers will be skiing all on the snowmaking loop at 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 1, 8:30am: Classic Ski Loppet (classic/diagonal stride only)
Sunday, February 2, 8:30am: Skate (Freestyle) Ski Loppet. Expect elite-level competition in the Best of the Loppet first wave.
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.
This 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 year, 2025 will be a lap course on snowmaking trails for an 18km event)
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 1, 10:15am: Classic Ski Puoli (classic/diagonal stride only)
Sunday, February 2, 10:15am: Skate (Freestyle) Ski Puoli
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 will be about a 9K this year, 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 1, 10:20am: Classic Ski Loppet (classic/diagonal stride only)
Sunday, February 2, 10:20am: Skate (Freestyle) Ski Loppet
GALLERY
Registration Opens October 7
Registration Opens October 7
Registration Opens October 7
Registration Opens October 7
Registration Opens October 7
Registration Opens October 7
Registration Opens October 7
Registration Opens October 7
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
All pricing listed on RunSignUp reflects the processing fees per Minnesota’s “Hidden Fees Statute,” SB 478. RunSignup charges a variable processing fee of $1 per transaction plus 6% as our standard price.
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:
Sunday, February 2:
Marathons – 5 laps of the 5.3km loop
Puolis – 4 laps of the 4.5km loop
Tours – 2 laps of the 4.5km loop (does not include N Finger or La Squadra)
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.
The aid station will be located at the Par 3 and will be stocked with water, electrolyte drink (Gatorade), and some energy gels.
All participants & spectators should park in the Mortenson Parking Lot and take the shuttle bus to the start.
For your information on getting around race morning (and for your spectator race fans to know). Note the road sections and closure times below.
Bag drop will be located in the stadium by the finish area. 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 Loppet will not be responsible for these items. Please leave the kitchen sinks and lead weights at home.
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
Classic and Skate Loppet
Commemorative medals for first-year finishers, commemorative pins for multiple-time finishers.
Awards for top male, female and non-binary finishers. Must be present to receive cash awards packets.
The Awards for the first three male, female and non-binary 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 and 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.)
If there is a top finisher dispute, please bring it to the timing shed or awards booth before awards are given out.
Classic and Skate Puoli Loppets
Handcrafted wood plaque for the top three male, female and non-binary category finishers.
The Awards Ceremony for the first three male, female and non-binary 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.)
The Double Loppet Award
This is an opportunity for you to both challenge yourself, and take advantage of two cross country ski festivals. Ski in any of the City of Lakes Loppet ski races, held on the first weekend in February each year, then ski in the Vasaloppet USA events, held on the second weekend of February, and earn your Double Loppet Award. Double Loppet skiers pick up their Double Loppet award at the Vasaloppet.
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.
VOLUNEER
OUR SPONSORS
Official Beer sponsor
Tortor Quam Malesuada
Nibh Purus Sem
Ultricies Venenatis Commodo
City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival
Entry fees go towards the production of the event and The Loppet mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community!
Typically we send it out to registered participants and post it on the event website about 1 week ahead of the event.
While we love your furry friends please leave them at home for these large Loppet events.
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.
Reach out to events@loppet.org and we can talk about how we can support you.
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.
Yes! Come check out our awesome merch in the adventure shop at the Trailhead or at the finish line.
2025 Photos: Festival Photos 2025
2024 Results: Loppet Festival 2024
2024 Photos: Festival Photos 2024
2023 Results: Loppet Festival 2023
2023 Photos: Loppet Festival 2023
2022 Results: Loppet Festival 2022
Join Us at Upcoming Loppet Events
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 - 4:15 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 4:15 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday, August 28, 2025 - 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday, October 18, 2025 - 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday, January 10, 2026 - 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Join the Community
The Loppet depends on our community to support our mission through donations, membership and volunteering.
Support our mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community.
Membership at the Loppet directly supports our mission and gets you added benefits to enjoy!
We depend on volunteers to ensure our programs and events offer the best experience. Lend your time at the Loppet!