2023 - City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

37K Classic Ski Loppet

The 37K Classic Ski Loppet is one of the flagship events of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival. This long distance, point-to-point event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The Classic Ski Loppet 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 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.

20K Classic Ski Puoli Loppet

This 20K point-to-point ski event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The Skate 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 event follows the course of the other big events, but skips most of the hardest hills. 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.

10K Classic Ski Tour

Enjoy the beautiful urban wilderness of Theodore Wirth Park in this recreational event, perfect for skiers of all ages and abilities. The Classic Ski Loppet Tour is approximately 10 kilometers, 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.

3K Skijor Loppet (1 dog)

Ski with your best friend… your dog! 10 kilometer, 5 kilometer, and 3 kilometer courses on the premiere Loppet ski trails (which skijors are not normally allowed on) makes the Chuck & Don’s Skijoring One-dog Loppet a participant and fan favorite event. This is the first day of the National Skijoring Championship and IFSS World Cup Race.

5K Skijor Loppet (1 or 2 dog)

Ski with your best friend… your dog! 10 kilometer, 5 kilometer, and 3 kilometer courses on the premiere Loppet ski trails (which skijors are not normally allowed on) makes the Chuck & Don’s Skijoring One-dog Loppet a participant and fan favorite event. This is the first day of the National Skijoring Championship and IFSS World Cup Race.

10K Skijor Loppet (1 dog)

Ski with your best friend… your dog! 10 kilometer, 5 kilometer, and 3 kilometer courses on the premiere Loppet ski trails (which skijors are not normally allowed on) makes the Chuck & Don’s Skijoring One-dog Loppet a participant and fan favorite event. This is the first day of the National Skijoring Championship and IFSS World Cup Race.

5K Ski Loppet

The Open Loppet 5K is open to skiers of all ages and abilities. Whether this is your first year skiing or your eighty-first year in the sport, this event is for you! A seeded wave start allows for skiers of varying abilities to all enjoy the event together. Teenagers whose race seasons have been cancelled this year can test their limits on this course which is the same distance as their high school races, advanced skiers will find this to be a fun and speedy course, while families looking for a non-competitive outing for both the kids and adults will be able to enjoy the beautiful trails, and new skiers hoping to complete their first 5K will be able to cross the finish line with big smiles on their faces! This event is freestyle technique, meaning you can classic or skate ski the course. While there are prizes for the winners, fun is the goal and costumes are encouraged!

1.5K Sit Ski

Next Generation Ski Loppet

The Next Generation Loppet is designed to inspire the next generation of Loppet skiers by providing all the fun and excitement of the longer Loppet ski events in shorter distances perfect for youth or junior skiers newer to the sport. Next Generation Loppet skiers will be able to choose from 3K, 2K, and 1K distances. Both distances are freestyle technique, meaning you can classic or skate ski the course.

Loppet Challenge

Do both the 37K distance events - Classic on Saturday and Skate on Sunday!

10K Skijor Loppet (2 dog)

The Chuck & Don’s Skijor Two Dog Loppet is a two dogs event on the second day of the National Skijoring Championship and IFSS World Cup Race. The point-to-point race will begin on Bde Maka Ska and finish at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park, following the premiere Loppet ski trails (some of which skijors are not normally allowed on). You may participate with one or two dogs.

37K Skate Ski Loppet

The 37K Skate Ski Loppet is the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival’s biggest skiing event! This long distance, point-to-point event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The Skate Ski Loppet takes skiers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore 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. This event also showcases elite-level competition in the first wave that is sure to be entertaining for spectators.

20K Skate Ski Puoli Loppet

This 20K point-to-point ski event is a truly unique cross-country skiing experience. The Skate 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 event follows the course of the other big events, but skips most of the hardest hills. 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.

10K Skate Ski Tour

Enjoy the beautiful urban wilderness of Theodore Wirth Park in this recreational event, perfect for skiers of all ages and abilities. The Skate Ski Loppet Tour is approximately 10 kilometers, 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.

Championship Kubb Tournament

Come on down to The Trailhead on Saturday and enjoy the world’s largest winter Kubb tournament. Kubb is a Swedish lawn game, similar to Cornhole or bocce ball in the Midwest. Teams of 3-6 players will compete in a 64-team tournament. There will be a round-robin stage starting at 10:00am, and then a single elimination stage from 2:00 – 6:00pm to determine the champions! Not interested in the competitive side? We also offer a more casual experience. The Recreational Kubb tournament is perfect for newcomers to the game of Kubb, as well as those who want to take a break from the rest of the action surrounding the Loppet Festival.

Recreational Kubb Tournament

Come on down to The Trailhead on Saturday and enjoy the world’s largest winter Kubb tournament. Kubb is a Swedish lawn game, similar to Cornhole or bocce ball in the Midwest. Teams of 3-6 players will compete in a 64-team tournament. There will be a round-robin stage starting at 10:00am, and then a single elimination stage from 2:00 – 6:00pm to determine the champions! Not interested in the competitive side? We also offer a more casual experience. The Recreational Kubb tournament is perfect for newcomers to the game of Kubb, as well as those who want to take a break from the rest of the action surrounding the Loppet Festival.

Ski-Orienteering Loppet

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. Orienteering is an activity that everyone in the family can enjoy, regardless of age or experience. All are welcome from experienced and competitive orienteers who fly through the woods to beginners and non-competitive orienteers who want to follow the trails and enjoy the park at a more leisurely pace. The Ski-Orienteering Loppet usually has two different courses available to fit your experience and fitness: Medium/Long (7-9k) and Short (4-5k). Participants will receive information on start location/details directly from MNOC. For more information on the Minnesota Orienteering Club and to see a complete list of events for the season, visit the MNOC website.

10K Snowshoe Loppet

The Askov Finlayson Snowshoe Loppet is a point-to-point course from Bde Maka Ska back to The Trailhead via woods and groomed ski trails (where snowshoers are not normally allowed). This snowshoe run / walk follows the same course as the 10K Classic/ Skate Ski Tours and is a perfect event to explore the beautiful woods of Theodore Wirth Park in a unique way!

33K Fat Bike Loppet

The 33K Fat Bike Loppet is a point-to-point race, providing a unique chance to ride your fat bike on the groomed ski trails (where fat-tire bikes are not normally allowed), mostly following the exact same course as the Loppet skiers – with just a dash of singletrack trails keep it spicy. The Fat Bike Loppet follows the “blue” course. Pending trail conditions, expect a section of singletrack mountain bike trails. Signs (with arrows) and course marshals will be directing bikers, but bikers are ultimately responsible for following the course. Note that the singletrack sections add a degree of difficulty that may not be appropriate for beginning riders that have not done this kind of riding before. The Fat Bike Puoli Loppet and Fat Bike Tour courses do not include the singletrack section.

20K Fat Bike Puoli Loppet

This 20K point-to-point fat bike race is a truly unique experience that takes racers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. Bikers 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 bike experience that features an incredible mix of urban biking and wooded natural trails. The Fat Bike Puoli Loppet follows the same course as the Fat Bike Loppet except that it skips the singletrack sections and some of the largest hills. There will be signage and course marshals to direct bikers, but bikers are ultimately responsible for knowing the course. Can I use any bike? No. Participants must use only fat-tire bikes in order to preserve the snow trails. Fat-tire bikes are defined as bikes with 3.8” tires or more and less than 10 psi tire pressure.

10K Fat Bike Tour

Enjoy the beautiful urban wilderness of Theodore Wirth Park in this recreational event, perfect for bikers of all ages and abilities. The Fat Bike Tour is approximately 10 kilometers, 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. Can I use any bike? No. Participants must use only fat-tire bikes in order to preserve the snow trails. Fat-tire bikes are defined as bikes with 3.8” tires or more and less than 10 psi tire pressure.