Skill level: Intro, Intermediate. Effort level: Casual, Recreational.
The Loppet Ski Club is designed for people who are new to cross country skiing or want to become better recreational skiers. We mainly ski on the trails at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis. The snowmaking trails give us reliable snow earlier in the year. Many who join the club are skiing for the first time, are looking to ski with other people, or are simply trying to find a way to love winter in Minnesota! Others have been long-time skiers but have never had a lesson or training program. It’s also a great way to motivate yourself to ski regularly while building your skills on the snow.
Regardless of motivation and experience – ALL are welcome! This year we are trying hard to make it easier to get new skiers involved in this wonderful activity.
We have a Fall program to help you get ready for the season and a Winter ski program. You don’t have to be in the Fall program to be in the Winter program.
Registration
Fall Ski Club Registration:
The first 50 people to register for one of the Fall sessions will be eligible for early Winter registration with a discount of $10. We will reach out via email about a month before Winter reg opens. In that email will be a code along with early registration dates.
Fall Registration opens June 24, 2025 at 9:00a
Registration Coming Soon
Winter Ski Club Registration:
Winter Registration opens October 7, 2025 at 9:00a
Registration Closed
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
Proceeds from the Loppet Ski Club benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.
2025/2026 Ski Club
How the Loppet Ski Club works – Fall Program:
What: The Fall program is designed for adult recreational skiers. Beginners will learn technique without the complication of using slippery skis, while more experienced skiers will benefit from a tune-up and re-emphasis on ski-specific training after a long summer with no snow.
We will start each week as a group then sort into small groups based on skier fitness and experience. Each group will do a combination of technique specific drills, fitness, strength, agility, and balance work.
When:
- Monday evenings 6:30 – 8:00, September 8 through October 27 (8 sessions)
- Wednesday mornings 9:00 – 10:30, September 10 through October 29 (8 sessions)
Where: The Monday evening group meets at the start time in the field at the corner of Glenwood and Xerxes. Parking is at Wirth Beach or in the neighborhood near Xerxes and Glenwood. Note- there is a Monday evening volleyball league at Wirth Beach in September, so parking is tight.
Where: The Wednesday morning group will meet and start from the Wirth Beach parking lot. Most of our Fall training will be in the Eloise Butler section of Theodore Wirth Park- about a mile south of the Trailhead.
Equipment: Running shoes or other trail shoes are most important. Bring ski poles (or hiking poles) if you have them. If you do not have poles, come anyway, as these workouts can also be done without poles. For evening groups, you may want to add a headlamp. We know the trails well, but it will be dark in the woods later in September. For new skiers- we recommend that you wait to buy equipment until after you speak with one of our coaches- we can probably help you get better gear for less money. The inexpensive headlamp sold at the local hardware store is usually sufficient. The headlamp can also be used in the winter.
Extra workout options: We will recommend additional weekend options to help you get in your best ski shape. Those will include a hike leaving from Wirth Beach most Saturday mornings at 900am.
How the Loppet Ski Club works – Winter Program:
What: The winter program is designed for adult recreational skiers. Skiers register for one weekday (or evening) session that includes instruction/ coaching. All Saturday Open Ski Club activities are included with registration.
We always break into groups based on ski experience and fitness. There is a beginner focus at the start of the season for those who need it, and more advanced instruction for others. The season-long group approach evolves as your skiing improves.
When: Classes begin in early November and end in early February. We start a few weeks before the snow arrives so we can get in shape for the season. Options are:
Monday morning skate plus Open Ski Club 9:00am – 10:30am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.
Monday morning classic plus Open Ski Club 9am – 1030am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.
Monday evening classic plus Open Ski Club. 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Classic skiing. Appropriate for all levels of classic skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.
Tuesday morning classic plus Open Ski Club 9am – 1030am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.
Tuesday morning skate plus Open Ski Club 9am – 1030am
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.
Wednesday evening skate plus Open Ski Club 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Appropriate for all levels of skate skier- from beginner to experienced. There will be a focus on fundamentals for those who need it. Experienced skiers will receive more advanced coaching. Meet in the start area of the snowmaking loop at Theodore Wirth Park.
Plus:
- Saturday: 900am to 1100am. Open Ski Club (see below)
Where- All group instruction is at Theodore Wirth and meets near the Trailhead. Open Ski Club meeting spots vary and will be announced each week.
Equipment- Ski shops all sell beginner packages of either skate or classic skis. Loppet member discounts may be available. There is information available on how to choose equipment including https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/crosscountry-ski-touring-gear.html. Choose the style that appeals to you- both skate and classic are beginner friendly when you have good instruction. Season long rentals are hard to find. There are swap meets in the fall, a good source for those listings is www.skinnyski.com.
Ski Passes- A Minneapolis Parks Ski Pass is needed for all our groups and is purchased separately.
How the Loppet Ski Club works – Open Ski Club
What: All Open Ski Club activities are included for everyone who registers for the Loppet Ski Club. There is also an Open Ski Club only registration available. Open Ski Club sessions are informal group skis. The Open Ski Club sessions (usually Saturday mornings) are focused more on going out to ski with the club.
When: Begins in early November and end in early February. We start a few weeks before the snow arrives so we can get in shape for the season. We will schedule additional activities during the season.
Open Ski Club Saturday 9:00am – 11:00am plus other activities
Appropriate for all levels of skier- from beginner to experienced. Our primary goal is to get out and ski with a group. Coaches may provide some instruction, especially to beginners, but the main focus is on enjoying this wonderful winter activity.
Where:
The Minneapolis Ski Pass group meets on the Theodore Wirth Trails, Columbia Golf Course, Hiawatha Golf Course or the Chain of Lakes trail.
The Adventure Group expands its reach to explore other trails in the area. Last year those included Three Rivers Parks (Baker, Hyland, Cleary and Carver.) Minneapolis- Theodore Wirth. St. Paul- Battle Creek. Further- William O’Brien, Mora. There are additional trail fees at many of these venues
Natural vs. man-made snow- natural snow that arrives early and stays on the ground gives us many options. In a poor snow year, we will need to be flexible with meeting times and locations as we rely on crowded man-made snow trails.
Other Open Ski Club activities- we have educational, social, and recreational options. Those include technique clinics and potlucks. Also this year we expect to have a strong Ski Club presence at the World Cup events.
Open Ski Club for Beginners: we really think you will like skiing, and we want to help you out. The following are geared especially for you.
- There will be information sessions in the Fall. We will discuss equipment, clothing, ski club basics, and provide instruction on ski technique and fitness.
- Lessons- we will provide beginner-oriented ski lessons during the first three weeks after snow conditions allow. We strongly encourage you to attend these sessions.
- Open Ski beginner crew- we have coaches dedicated to working with new skiers. That starts with help putting on your equipment, falling and getting back up, going up hills easily and then getting down safely.
Communication- for all Ski Club activities
- You will receive at least one email with more detailed instructions about your group. This will come to the email address used at registration.
- For in-season communication we use the Stack Team App. This app is available through Google Play or the Apple Store and is used successfully by other Loppet programs. You will have access to all communications relevant to your group, and perhaps more importantly- to information and schedule for our Open Ski/ Saturday programs. Install the app on your phone, search for Loppet Ski Club, and ask for admission to your group.
Wait List– each group will have a waitlist. Each year we are able to add skiers as the season progresses. Those on the waitlist will receive priority. Open Ski Clubbers will receive second priority. If space remains available, we will open registration to the public.