Marathon, Puoli and Tour Ski

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

City of Lakes Ski Marathon – 30K

City of Lakes Ski Marathon is one of the flagship events of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival, with the distance of an epic 30K. This long distance event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The marathon takes racers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. Skiers of all ages 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, January 31: Classic Ski 30K Marathon (classic/diagonal stride only)

Sunday, February 1: Skate (Freestyle) Ski 30K Marathon. Expect elite-level competition in the Best of the Loppet first wave.

The Loppet Challenge: Do both the classic (Saturday) and skate (Sunday) Marathons! Yep, back-to-back days. Save approximately 15% registration by signing up for the Loppet Challenge. In addition, all Challenge participants will receive a 11×17 festival poster and a special winter training hat (image shown below).

City of Lakes Ski Puoli – 20K

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.

Saturday, January 31: Classic Ski 20K Puoli (classic/diagonal stride only)

Sunday, February 1: Skate (Freestyle) Ski 20K Puoli

City of Lakes Ski Tour – 10K

Enjoy the beautiful urban wilderness of Theodore Wirth Park in this recreational event, perfect for skiers of all ages and experiences. The Ski Tour is a 10K point to point course, 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, January 31: Classic Ski 10K Tour (classic/diagonal stride only)

Sunday, February 1: Skate (Freestyle) Ski 10K Tour

GALLERY

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.

Schedule & Packet Pickup

Schedule

Thursday, January 29: 4pm-8pm: Packet pick up at Utepils Brewing

Friday, January 30: 4pm-8pm: Packet pick up at The Trailhead

Saturday, January 31:

7:30am – 10:30am: Shuttle Buses run between Mortenson Parking Lot & Cedar Lake (start)
7:30am – 10:00am: Race morning packet pick up at Cedar Lake
9:00am: Classic Ski Marathon Start (waves to be announced)
9:45am: Classic Ski Puoli Start
10:15am: Classic Ski Tour Start
7:00am – 3:00pm: Packet pick up at The Trailhead for Sunday races only
10:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between the Trailhead (finish) & Mortenson Parking Lot
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 – Captain Ken’s Chili is waiting for you!

Sunday, February 1:

7:30am – 10:30am: Shuttle Buses run between Mortenson Parking Lot & Cedar Lake (start)
7:30am – 12:00am: Race morning packet pick up at Cedar Lake
9:00am: Skate Ski Marathon Start (waves to be announced)
10:00am: Skate Ski Puoli Start
10:30am: Skate Ski Tour Start
10:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between the Trailhead (finish) & Mortenson Parking Lot
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 – Captain Ken’s Chili is waiting for you!

Course & Map

Course

2026 Course Map – click the link

Course Markings

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.

Fluid Stations

Please be good stewards of the race trail and throw your trash away at a fluid station or give to a course marshal. When you drop your googy gross wrapper on the trail everyone behind you has to ski past it.

30K Marathon – 5 stations, all with water and electrolyte. First 3 include toilets.

20K Puoli – 4 stations, all with water and electrolyte. First 2 include toilets.

10K Tour – 3 stations, all with water and electrolyte. First 1 includes toilet.

Transportation & Bag Drop

Race Day Parking

All participants & spectators should park in the Mortenson Parking Lot and take the shuttle bus to the start.

Shuttle Bus Schedule

7:30am – 10:30am Shuttles from Mortensons Parking Lot to Cedar Lake Beach (start line)
10:00am – 3:00pm Shutttles from Trailhead (finish line) to Mortensons Parking Lot

Dropoffs and Pickups

Pickup in Theodore Wirth Park: Dropoffs and pickups will be allowed at the Chalet (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy), approx 1/4-mile walk from the finish at the Trailhead. 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. The Trailhead is unavailable for pickups. Your fans are also welcome to park at Mortenson Parking Lot and you may walk (approx half mile) from the finish to their vehicle or take the Trailhead-Mortenson shuttle bus. We recommend that you consider putting dry walking shoes and socks in your drop bag for walking to your car.

Road Closures

Theodore Wirth Pkwy will be closed to all traffic from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave: Saturday 7am-1:30pm & Sunday 7am-12pm
Glenwood Ave will be closed between Theo Wirth Pkwy and Xerxes Ave Saturday & Sunday 8am – 1pm
Theodore Wirth Pkwy will be closed between Glenwood Ave and N Wayzata Blvd Saturday & Sunday 8am – 1pm

Bag Drop/Claim

Bag drop will be located at Cedar Lake Beach near the start 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. Bags will be transported to the finish line at the Trailhead where they can be picked up before 3pm.

Ski Racks available outside the Trailhead.
Indoor Changing Area – Trailhead locker rooms. Showers not available.

Festival Village & Post-Race Party

Refreshments! All skiers get one free Utepils beer (21+) or NA beer or soda at the finish party inside 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. 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

Classic and Skate Marathons

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.

Skate:
- 1st Place: $1,000, handcrafted wood plaque
- 2nd Place: $600, handcrafted wood plaque
- 3rd Place: $400, handcrafted wood plaque
- 4th Place: $200, handcrafted wood plaque
- 5th Place: $100, handcrafted wood plaque

Classic:
- 1st Place: $300, handcrafted wood plaque
- 2nd Place: $150, handcrafted wood plaque
- 3rd Place: $75, handcrafted wood plaque

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 Skies

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.

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

EVENT SPONSORS

Become an Event Sponsor

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 and wave assignments 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. Skijor races will be held Saturday morning at the Trailhead, check out the event page!

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
General: events@loppet.org
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 walking breaks during the race?

All Loppet races have course cut off times in order to keep our volunteer shifts sustainable, 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 for live athlete tracking
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!)