Snowshoe Loppet

City of Lakes Snowshoe Loppet

Sunday, February 5: 10:40am
NEW: Cedar Lake, 2501 Cedar Lake Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55416

The 2023 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!

Start Location: All 2023 point to point races begin at Cedar Lake, 2501 Cedar Lake Pkwy, Minneapolis MN 55416

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.

• NEW (1/30/23): Participant Guides will be emailed to all registered participants by Thursday noon of Festival race week.
• Course Update: Point-to-Point races start moving to Cedar Lake. (1/25/23)
• Course Update: Kenilworth Channel/Lakes Update (1/13/23): Though this season is throwing us a couple of big curveballs, we are still on solid ground for a point to point course. Despite special permission and great support from the LRT crews, it is now looking like it will not be feasible to use the Kenilworth Channel due to a combination of construction obstructions, open water and the normal need to snow in under the bridges. We are currently looking at a couple of options for the point to point races including a pretty cool urban detour and a fun and tested start on or near Wirth Lake (that still gets all the hills and woods you love in Bog/Butler). We are also monitoring conditions on the lakes. Currently, the lakes cannot be groomed due to extensive and unusual slush conditions that are causing many on ice winter events to pivot. But we still have some time for winter to do its thing. Stay tuned.
• 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!

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 2: The Trailhead, 4pm-8pm
  • Pick up your packet on Thursday and get a tootsie roll!
• Friday, February 3: Utepils Brewing (225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN), 4pm-8pm
  • Pick up your packet on Friday and get a tootsie roll!
  • Packet pickup will not be available at the Trailhead on Friday (only Utepils)
• Saturday, February 4: 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 5: Cedar Lake, 7am-12pm (for Sunday point to point races only)

Sunday Point-to-Point Map

For those that like to zoom in: 2023 Point to Point Google Course Map. You can select and deselect certain layers including your course, the Cedar Lake Start Area, and the parking/shuttle info. And see below for the overall picture.

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).

• Snowshoe-Green arrows (same as Ski Tour)

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.

Cutoff Times

For the safety of both participants and volunteers, all participants must reach the following positions by the designated times. Skiers who do not reach these positions in time will have the choice of continuing on unsupported (we will release course marshals and volunteers) or be transported to the finish area. Note that these times are quite generous and few participants have trouble meeting these cutoffs, but please choose your event appropriately for your speed, experience and skill level.

• Sunday Events: Reach Glenwood Ave/Wirth Beach – 12:15 pm

Thursday

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

Friday

• 4pm-8pm: Utepils Brewing (225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN)
  • Pick up your packet on Friday and get a tootsie roll!
  • Packet pickup will not be available at the Trailhead on Friday (only Utepils)

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
• NEW: 7:30am – 10:30am: Mortenson to Cedar Lake Shuttle Bus
• 8:00am – 12:00pm: Cedar Lake 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
• NEW: 10:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between The Trailhead and Mortenson

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

Walk: If you live near the Bde Maka Ski, consider walking to the start! After the race, you can catch a shuttle bus back to the Lakeside Center Parking Lot.

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 at Cedar Lake

CRITICAL NEW INFO: Shuttle

• Shuttle Bus Schedule
  • Route 1: Mortenson to Cedar Lake, 7:30am-10:30am, running continuously
  • Route 2: Trailhead to Mortenson, 10am-3pm, every 15 min on the quarter hour
  • After the race, there is no shuttle returning to Cedar Lake. Walk back to Mortenson or take the shuttle.

Dropoffs and Pickups

• Dropoff at Cedar Lake: There is very limited parking in the neighborhood near the Cedar Lake start. There is some space on Cedar Shore Dr near W 25th St. Zoom in on the Start Area layer of the google map above. There is no parking on the east side of Cedar Shore Dr. There is a plowed path crossing the median to Cedar Lake Pkwy. Do not park on Cedar Lake Pkwy for dropoff!
• 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)

• NEW: 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.
• 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.

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. 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!

NEW: 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 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 and female overall snowshoers.
  • 1st Place: $150, Hand-crafted awards
  • 2nd Place: $100, Hand-crafted awards
  • 3rd Place: $50, Hand-crafted awards

Race results can be found at mtecresults.com

2023 Results

• Snowshoe Loppet 10K (results will be posted here)

2022 Photos

• 10K Snowshoe Loppet Results

2022 Results

• Events on Cedar Lake – Steve Kotvis
• Sunday Loppet Events – Jayme Halbritter Photography
• Mixed ski, snowshoe and bike participants – Len Bernstein