Ski-Orienteering Loppet

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Ski-Orienteering Loppet

Name: Ski Orienteering Loppet
Start: 2026-01-31T07:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-01-31T15:00:00+00:00

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

If you want an adventure that mixes the great outdoors with a bit of a scavenger hunt, give this unique event a go. Hosted by the Minnesota Orienteering Club, the Ski-Orienteering Loppet is a timed event in which participants navigate on skis using map and compass to find checkpoints located throughout Theodore Wirth Park.

Ski Orienteering adds an additional element of challenge to the traditional sport of orienteering. If you are primarily a skier, you will add to your sport the challenge of finding efficient routes to a series of locations throughout the trail system as identified on a map. If you are primarily an orienteer, you will have the added challenge of moving through the park on cross country skies to complete the course. When you have finished, you will all be a ski-orienteer!

To best fit your experience and fitness, the Ski-Orienteering Loppet offers two course choices at the time of registration. A medium/long course (approx. 7-9K) will challenge the participant with plenty of hills, orienteering route choices, and, depending on snow conditions, possibly route choices that may take you off of the groomed ski trails. A short (4-5k) course will be a bit more friendly to the beginner/intermediate skier/orienteer. The short course will be mostly on the groomed ski trails, including a few hills up and down (with possible shortcuts off trail if so desired by the participants).

This event is open to either the classic or skate ski technique at the participant’s preference.

Participants will receive additional important race information on start location/details directly from MNOC prior to race day.

For more information on the Minnesota Orienteering Club and to see a complete list of events for the season, visit the MNOC website.

GALLERY

Register

There is no on-site or race-day registration for the Ski-Orienteering Loppet. Registration closes at noon on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

Ski-Orienteering

Price Increase: Jan 13 | $28

$23

Register

Proceeds from the Ski-Orienteering 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

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

Saturday, January 31:

10:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between The Trailhead and Mortenson
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
11:00am – 11:45am: Ski-Orienteering Check-in and Packet Pick-up
12:00pm: Ski-Orienteering mass start
1:30pm: Ski-Orienteering course closes and awards

Packet Pickup

Packet Pick-up for the Ski-Orienteering event will be available only at the start area of the event on the day of the event. Check-in and packet pick-up will be available from (11am – 11:45am) at the race start on Saturday, January 31. Packets for the ski-o are NOT available for pick-up at the Trailhead building as noted for other Festival events.

Course & Map

Course

The ski orienteering courses will be set in and around the North Wirth ski trails. The course maps will be distributed to participants at the start line. (As per orienteering procedure, the course maps are “top secret” until race time.)

Transportation

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

Shuttle Bus Schedule

10:00am – 3:00pm Shutttles from Trailhead (start/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

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

All Finishers – Commemorative medals for all finishers.

Long Category – Hand-crafted awards for the first three male, female and non-binary finishers.

Short Category – Award medals for the first three overall finishers.

Awards for this event will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted- see the Ski-O event table in the start/finish area for details.

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 Sign up

VOLUNTEER

OUR 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 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

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!)