Ultimate Midwest Nordic Ski Tour

Please check the Maps & Trail Conditions webpage for the latest updates from Theodore Wirth Park

• Snowmaking Loop: Approximately 6K (nearly 4K lighted at night). Groomed daily.
• Additional Natural Snow Trails: 30 – 35K regularly groomed
• Best times: Early morning to early afternoon week days, weekend evenings
• Trail passes are required at Theodore Wirth Park: Please wear your race bib or carry proof of registration as your pass – this will be accepted only for the virtual race dates of each race below.

Ski Pass

With their Birkie bib, virtual racers are welcome to use both the snowmaking trails as well as the full system of natural snow trails (North & South Theodore Wirth Park + Chain of Lakes + Columbia Golf Course + Hiawatha Regional Park). Your current race bib counts as your trail pass for that day.

Grooming

Be sure to check the Maps & Trail Conditions webpage for up-to-date grooming reports. As conditions allow, the full trails system is groomed regularly and consistently. There will likely be warm temps for the Virtual Birkie week, so grooming might not be possible if overnight temps aren’t cold enough. Later in the week and early mornings will be best bet for the best conditions.

Course Markings

There are no physical markings for the Birkie at Theodore Wirth Park (There are far too many different user groups and events going on during this time). If the natural snow trails aren’t in good shape based on weather or snowfall, the snowmaking trails (approx 6K loop) are usually always a viable option. The course options below are simply courses you may wish to follow, but you are free to make up your own course within the extensive trail system. Paul Johnson, Director of Events, is happy to talk anyone through these courses, even on a video call to look at a map. Email johnson@loppet.org for assistance.

The maps below start and finish in the Lower Stadium next to The Trailhead.

43K American Birkebeiner Course

If you know the trails: Lower Stadium – Back 40 (Meadow, Twin Lakes) – Coaches’ Corner – North Finger/Judy Loop – La Squadra – Trail 18. Then take the Bridge Trail across Theo Wirth Pkwy. Bridge Trail – Tornado Alley – Wirth Lake (bypass JD Rivers and Jar Hill). Cross Glenwood Ave and head toward Wedding Hill – Bog. Cross 394. Brownie Lake – Cedar Lake – Brownie Lake again. Cross 394 and cross Theo Wirth Pkwy. Eloise Butler (south loop) – Eloise Butler (north loop). Cross Glenwood Ave. Jar Hill – JD Rivers – Basset Creek – Tornado Alley – Skyline – Bridge Trail –Maintenance Loop – Trail 18 – Ridgeline – Roundabout. Do one more full loop of Lower Stadium – Back 40 (Meadow, Twin Lakes) – Coaches’ Corner – North Finger/Judy Loop – La Squadra. Turn on Ridgeline (don’t go past cooling tower) and head back to Lower Stadium to finish.

26K Korteloppet Course

If you know the trails: Lower Stadium – Back 40 (Meadow, Twin Lakes) – Coaches’ Corner – North Finger/Judy Loop – La Squadra – Trail 18. Then take the Bridge Trail across Theo Wirth Pkwy. Bridge Trail – Tornado Alley – Glenwood Ave at Wirth Beach parking. Cross Glenwood Ave. Isthmus – Wedding Hill. Cross Theo Wirth Pkwy to Bog. Do all of the Bog trails. Cross Theo Wirth Pkwy at 394. Come back along the east side of Theo Wirth Pkwy and the pond. Do the north loop of Eloise Butler. Cross Glenwood Ave. Jar Hill – JD Rivers – Basset Creek – Tornado Alley – Skyline – Bridge Trail –Maintenance Loop – Trail 18 – Ridgeline – Roundabout and finish in Lower Stadium.

14K Prince Hakkon

If you know the trails:  Lower Stadium – Back 40 (Meadow, Twin Lakes) – Coaches’ Corner – Ridgeline – Trail 18 (skip North Finger and LaSquadra). Take Bridge Trail across Theo Wirth Pkwy to Tornado Alley. Take the short route to Wirth Lake and do a lap around Wirth Lake/Jar Hill. Do Skyline on the way back. Bridge Trail – Trail 18 – Ridgeline – Roundabout and finish in Lower Stadium

SISU Ski Fest

• Virtual Dates: January 4 – 17, 2021.
• Theodore Wirth Park trails will be available all days except January 17 (closed for the Pre-Loppet).

Ski Rennet

• Virtual Dates January 9 – 17.
• Theodore Wirth Park trails will be available all days except January 17 (closed for the Pre-Loppet).

Noquemon Ski Marathon

• Virtual Dates: January 15 – 30.
• Theodore Wirth Park trails will be available all days except January 17 (closed for the Pre-Loppet), and the snowmaking loop will be closed January 29 (starting at 4pm for the Luminary Loppet) and January 30 (for the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival).

City of Lakes Loppet

• In-Person Dates: January 30 – 31 & February 6 – 7
• Virtual Dates: February 1 – 14.
• Theodore Wirth Park trails are for in-person and hybrid racers only. Virtual participants must race elsewhere. Hybrid races (at Theodore Wirth Park on the marked course) will be held February 1 – 5.

Mora Vasaloppet

• Virtual Dates: January 30 – February 14.
• Theodore Wirth Park trails will be available all days except January 30 – 31 and February 6 – 7 due to the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival. Snowmaking trails (including lighted sections at night) are NOT available from 4pm – 10pm on Friday, February 5, due to Luminary Loppet.

American Birkebeiner

• Virtual Dates: February 20 – February 28.
• Theodore Wirth Park trails will be open all days, except February 21 for the reLoppet. Snowmaking trails (including lighted sections at night) are NOT available February 20 – 21 due to the Mayor’s XC Ski Challenge. You may also want to avoid The Trailhead/snowmaking trails on February 22 – 23, as there are High School Conference Meets both days, 9am – 3pm. Be sure to check the schedule on the Maps & Trail Conditions webpage for updates (high school meets, in particular, frequently change or are added at the last minute).

Great Bear Chase

• Virtual Dates: March 1 – March 14.
• Theodore Wirth Park Notes: Course availability on March 13 is TBD (There are possible events at Wirth that day).