Sunday, February 4, 2024

Snowshoe Loppet

10K point-to-point snowshoe run / walk.

The Loppet Foundation :: Events :: Snowshoe Loppet

Part of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

View Festival Information »

Point to Point Snowshoe Race

City of Lakes Snowshoe Loppet

Sunday, February 4: 10:40am (tentative time)

The Snowshoe Loppet is a point-to-point course from Cedar Lake 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. Whether you race it or tour it, the Snowshoe Loppet is a perfect event to explore the beautiful woods of Theodore Wirth Park in a unique way!

The Start and Finish

Start Location: Chain of Lakes

Finish Location: All races finish at The Trailhead, Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis MN 55422

Parking and Transportation: Please see notes below. Our point to point participants use a variety of methods including shuttle bus, metro bus, skiing or walking to the start, dropoffs/pickups by friends, etc.

Updates

For your reference: PARTICIPANT GUIDE 2023
We are using RunnerTag for photos! You can look up your race number to see if we caught any pictures of you. We can’t make promises but we do try to get everyone!
Registration opening Sunday, October 1

Registration & Packet Pickup

	Status	Starting 9AM, 10/1/23	Starting 11/19/23	Starting 12/17/23	Starting 1/14/24/small>	Starting 1/31/24/small>	Registration Deadline
Snowshoe Loppet	Open	$32	$32	$37	$42	$63	12pm noon, 1/31/24

Proceeds from the Snowshoe 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

Registration Policies

If you wish to change events (e.g. changing race distance), please follow these instructions: RunSignup Event Transfer Instructions.

Registration and transaction fees are nonrefundable, including in the event of cancellation. 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.

For other questions about registration, please email registration@loppet.org.

Packet Pick Up

Packets (bibs and other goodies) will be available for pickup at the following times and locations::

Thursday, February 1: The Trailhead, 4pm-8pm
- Pick up your packet on Thursday and get a tootsie roll!
Friday, February 2: To be announced
Saturday, February 3: The Trailhead, 7am-3pm (note that this is not recommended for Sunday point to point races unless you are already there for Saturday Trailhead races. Parking will be limited due to Saturday events.)
Sunday, February 4: Cedar Lake, 7am-12pm (for Sunday point to point races only)

The Course

Sunday Point-to-Point Map

For your reference: 2023 Point to Point Google Course Map.

2024 Course Map coming soon!

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. Know the color of arrow you should be following for your race (it is also always our goal to match your bib color with your arrow color – this also helps course marshals know which course you are doing).

Your arrow color will match your bib

Aid Stations

In general, aid stations are stocked with water, energy drink (Gatorade), simple snacks and some energy gels (aid stations later in the race for longer races). The snowshoe race stations are the same as the Tour.

Aid station location (approx distance on the course)	Tour/10K
Location TBA	2.6K
Location TBA	4.2K
Location TBA	8.3K

Cutoff Times

For the safety of both participants and volunteers, snowshoers must reach the following positions by the designated times. Skiers who do not reach these positions in time will have to turn in their bib/chip. A representative from our medical team will be on hand to help evaluate the health and risk of continuing for the participant. Please respect their decision. A sag vehicle will be available to bring the participant to the appropriate location, e.g. finish area to get a bag, medical team for further observation, to their vehicle, etc. If the participant is deemed healthy to continue and declines a sag ride, they may continue with the understanding that they are now like anyone from the public. Volunteers may no longer be available (course marshals, aid stations, etc.) and the participant should know the trails. Note that these times are quite generous and few snowshoers have trouble meeting these cutoffs, but please choose your event appropriately for your speed, experience and skill level.

Snowshoe: Reach Glenwood Ave/Wirth Beach – 12:15 pm (time tentative)

Event Schedule

Thursday

4pm-8pm: The Trailhead
- Pick up your packet on Thursday and get a tootsie roll!

Friday

4pm-8pm: location to be announced

Saturday

7:00am-3:00pm: The Trailhead, Packet Pick up (note that this is not recommended for Sunday point to point races unless you are already there Saturday Trailhead races. Parking will be limited due to Saturday events.)

Sunday

7:00am-12:00pm: Cedar Lake, Packet Pick up
7:30am – 11:00am: Mortenson to star
8:00am – 12:00pm: Start Bag Drop (Got Junk trucks and Start Line Corral)
10:40am: Snowshoe Loppet Begins
9:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead North Parking Lot Bag Claim
10:00am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Changing Tent Heated
10:00am – 3:00pm: Utepils Brewing Beer Garden and Festival Village
10:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Food Station
10:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between The Trailhead and Mortenson

Parking & Transportation

Bus: Please consider taking the bus (Metro Transit)!

Race Day Parking

Point to Point participants (including Sunday Snowshoe Loppet) should park in the Mortenson Parking Lot and take the shuttle bus to the start.

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 race bag.

Road Closures

For your information on getting around race morning (and for your spectator race fans to know). Note the road sections and closure times below. Zoom in on the Google Course Map above and select the Road Closure layer.

Glenwood Ave from Xerxes to Theodore Wirth Pkwy: Saturday (7am-1pm), Sunday (7am-2pm)
Theodore Wirth Pkwy from N Wayzata Blvd to Glenwood: Saturday (7am-1pm), Sunday (7am-2pm)
Theodore Wirth Pkwy from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave: Saturday (8am-2:30), Sunday (8am-12pm)

Bag Drop/Claim/Changing Tent

Staying Warm and Start Corral Bag Drop! Keep your warm clothes on and stuff them in your bag (bring your own bag!) just before the start and hand them over the fence or place them in our snowmobile tubs or on the tarps. You are also welcome to save us a trip and take them to the Got Junk truck that will be parked near the boat launch. There is no warming tent at the start though we will have a few fire pits near shore and away from the start. Please dress warmly and label your bag clearly with your race number.
Back by popular demand – Bag Claim is located in the Trailhead-North Parking Lot just after you exit the finish area under the bridge.
Heated Changing Tent – Just across from Bag Claim. We will also have ski racks for you to “park” your snowshoes. Get changed and head into the Trailhead for beer, chili, and good cheer.

Festival Village and Post-Race Party

2024 Festival Village map coming soon

Utepils Beer! All skiers (that are of age) get one free beer (or alternative soda) at the finish at 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 and we hope to do the same in 2024. Get your bowl of chili in the Trailhead after your race! Just what a tired Shoer 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!

Race Bibs: In an effort to reduce the waste generated by thousands of bibs, the Loppet will collect all bibs at several post-race locations. We realize that some participants would like to keep their bib for their own personal “wall of fame” and that is OK. But if you are indifferent and know that it would sit on a corner shelf and eventually end up in the trash, please return your bib after the race.

Bib Drop Locations: Finish line, bag claim and the Trailhead exit.
And, yes, it also saves the Loppet significant expense which allows us to direct more finances toward our mission-based programs.
We are hoping to reuse the vast majority of our Festival bibs to allow them to live out a full and active life. Thank you for helping us reduce waste and move toward greener events!

Awards

Awards ceremony for this event will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted. Must be present to receive cash awards packet.
Commemorative medals for all finishers.
Awards to the top three male, female and non-binary overall snowshoers.
- 1st Place: $150, Hand-crafted awards
- 2nd Place: $100, Hand-crafted awards
- 3rd Place: $50, Hand-crafted awards