Loppet Cross Country Ski Trail Report

The Loppet’s 2024/25 cross country ski season is here! Be sure to purchase a trail pass before hitting the snow on Loppet-managed trails across the Minneapolis Parks system; www.loppet.org/tt/trailpasses/

TRAIL HOURS: Open 6am-10pm, trail lights on until 10pm

UPCOMING CLOSURES: 

All Snowmaking Ski Trails will be CLOSED for Mayor’s XC Ski Challenge Races during the following times:

• Saturday, Jan. 25; 7am – 2:15 pm
• Sunday, Jan. 26; 7am – Noon

All Natural & Snowmaking Ski Trails will be CLOSED for City of Lakes Winter Festival at the following times:

• Saturday, Feb. 1; 7am - 3pm
• Sunday, Feb. 2; 7am - 3pm

All-Access/Snowmaking Ski Trails (North Wirth) ~ 7 km open

All-access trails are groomed nightly for classic and skate unless otherwise noted

LOWER STADIUM (lighted): Open

GREEN MEADOW: Open

JIM’S HILL (lighted): Open

RIDGELINE (lighted): Open

TWIN LAKE: Open

LA SQUADRA (lighted): Open

INNER MEADOW: Open - Classic only, for a limited time

NORTH FINGER: Open

TRAIL 18 (lighted): Open

JUDY LOOP (natural snow): Closed

Natural Snow Ski Trails

WIRTH: Ungroomed

CHAIN OF LAKES:

Isles - rolled

HIAWATHA: Ungroomed

COLUMBIA: Ungroomed

Single Track Bike/Hiking Trails

Area 36 trails are CLOSED for the winter season to maintain a safe environment for Loppet staff and park goers during our snowmaking operation. Check TrailBot, also embedded below, for the latest on our Conundrum and 45 North trails.

Facility & Trail Updates

• Winter Building Hours at The Trailhead:

• 7:30am – 9pm Weekdays
• 7:30am – 8pm Weekends

• Winter Rentals are now available at the Trailhead’s Adventure Shop!

• Fat Tire Evenings on Snowmaking Trails: Now that we have 2.5km of ski trail available on our snowmaking loop, fat tire bikers are able to access the trails Friday-Sunday evenings, 6-9pm. All riders must purchase an All-Access ski pass from the Trailhead, ensure their bike has clean tires, and review and follow ski trail rules before hitting the trails.

Event Updates

• High School Ski Practice & Race Schedule: Registered high school teams with ski passes can hold team practices on our Snowmaking trails 6am - 5:30pm Monday-Thursday and 6am-9pm Fridays.

• Wednesday, Jan. 22, IMAC Conference Relay Race
• Monday, Jan. 27, Twin Cities Conference Championships; 7am-4:30pm
• Tuesday, Jan. 28, Minneapolis Conference Championships; 7am-4:30pm
• Wednesday, Jan 29, IMAC Conference Championships; 7am-4:30pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 4, Section 2 Races; 7am-4:30pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 5, Section 5 Races; 7am-4:30pm
• Friday, Feb. 7, Minneapolis Conference Race; 2:30-5:30pm

*Snowmaking trails remain available for open skiing during all High School Races other than Section Championships on February 4 & 5. Expect high traffic on our snowmaking ski trails during High School race and afterschool practice periods.

• January 25 & 26: Mayor’s Challenge Junior National Qualifiers

• February 1 & 2: Register for City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

• February 8: Support the Loppet by purchasing your tickets for the Luminary Loppet on Lake of the Isles!

• March 1: Burton Mystery Series Event - Banked Slalom & Open Park Session

• The Loppet Crew