News & Stories

2017 Loppet Festival Race Course Preview

With all the changes this year we thought it would be a good idea to provide a little preview of the course this weekend. As a reference, use the Events Map and, for more detail on the Hap Lutter Snowmaking Loop, use the Hap Lutter Snowmaking Loop map.

Available Trails

In order to reduce congestion and make for a more interesting race, the Loppet Crew has been working hard to make the maximum amount of trails available for the weekend. We will be using two sections of trail for the races:

• Hap Lutter Snowmaking Loop:
  This 3.5 kilometer trail generally has between one and four feet of snow. The trail is generally intermediate in difficulty, but has two more advanced sections – the La Squadra Loop and Trail 18. See Hap Lutter Snowmaking Loop Map.
• Twin Lake Trail:
  This 2.5 kilometer trail is generally intermediate level skiing, with some flatter sections and a few medium sized hills. The trail starts by heading out from the western edge of the Lower Stadium across a flat section of the par-3 golf course. After leaving the golf course, the trail heads down the Luce Line with a gradual and steady uphill grade. The trail then heads around a flatter meadow area, before a moderate right-hand descent takes the course back onto the Luce Line Corridor. After some rolling terrain the course heads up Oak Leaf Hill – a small but fairly steep hill. After descending from the top of Oak Leaf Hill there is an overlook of Twin Lake with some gently rolling terrain. Eventually the trail heads back down to the Par-3 golf course where it rejoins the Hap Lutter Trail after skiers enjoy some flatter terrain.

Conditions . . .

Remarkably good.

Of course the Hap Lutter Snowmaking Loop has plenty of snow. But the Twin Lake Trail is also in great shape. As of the end of the day Thursday it was groomed and tracked with two sets of classic tracks. Crews were putting the final touches on the trail – but it is ready for a great weekend of racing.

Laps . . .

Skiers are in charge of counting their own laps. As skiers proceed through the stadium area on their laps they will need to head left for their lap, and straight to finish. While skiers are in charge of counting their own laps, the timers will also be keeping track via the timing mats buried in the snow. The timers won’t be able to tell participants what to do during the race – but if participants fail to complete the requisite number of laps before finishing they will be disqualified. Similarly, if participants complete extra laps before finishing the timers will not adjust the time to account for the extra lap . . .

Passing and Being Passed . . .

We have tried to add distance to the course and time the events in order to avoid too much congestion. But inevitably some of the faster participants will be passing some of the other participants. Faster participants should yell track before passing and skiers being passed should try to make way for the faster skiers. But everyone should remember that we are all out here to have fun and everyone is trying their best to have a great day. Please use the Loppet Spirit when passing or being passed . . .

Enduros . . .

The Marathon events will include enduro sections. Enduros are a race within a race – allowing participants who may be less fit to show off their speed over a shorter distance. This year’s enduro segment will run from just past the Upper Stadium to just before the Lower Stadium. While this segment includes one or two short climbs, it is net downhill. Marathon skiers will have five opportunities to test their Enduro skills – one on the Parade Lap, and one on each subsequent lap. Click here for more information on Enduros.