January 2025
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Jan.1
Hiihto Relays (Saint Paul, MN) |
4 x 3.3K two person relay
11 am
Two-person relay, each skier completing two 3.3K laps for a total of 13.2K.
Jan.2-7
US Nationals (Anchorage, AK) |

US National Championships. Freestyle races (individual start) Thursday; classic sprints Saturday; classic races (mass start) Sunday; freestyle sprints Tuesday. Also a SuperTour race.
Jan.4
First Chance Race (Mora, MN) |
5K, 10K freestyle
1 pm, 2pm
Opening event for the season, snowmaking should ensure the race. Proceeds benefit the trails and snowmaking operations.
Jan.5
NewBattle Creek Fifty K (Saint Paul, MN) |
50K freestyle
7am
A community-driven, hilly, early season 50k at Battle Creek!
Jan.8-Feb.11
4.9K freestyle, classic
7:15 pm (repeats Wednesdays)
Held on the lighted trails at Lapham Peak, online registration preferred. There are also youth and high school series, which start earlier at 5:15 pm and 6 pm. An individual start race is held on Wednesday afternoon to replace the Tuesday Time Trial races.
Jan.8-Feb.26
MYSL Team Sprints & Family Night (Minneapolis, MN) |
team sprints
6:30 pm (repeats Wednesdays)
This informal Wednesday night race series at Wirth Park is based on two-person relays with a different format each week. Bring a partner or sign up to be matched with a skier of similar ability. Adult, child and adult/child divisions. High school teams welcome, but must pre-register. Great way to introduce kids and adults to racing. New in 2025: One night will be at Battle Creek!
Jan.11
Snekkevik (Wausau, WI) |
6K, 12K, 24K freestyle; 6K, 12K classic
10 am
The second oldest continuing organized ski race in Wisconsin. Adult racing returns in 2024. High school, middle school, and kids divisions also available.
Jan.11
Seeley Hills Classic (Seeley, WI) |
42K classic; 22K classic
10 am; 10:05 am
Run on the Birkie trail, it has become one of the most prestigious classic races around.
Jan.11
SISU Ski Fest (Ironwood, MI) |
30K freestyle, classic; 15K freestyle, classic
9:30 am; 11 am
Racing from ABR to downtown Ironwood, one of the big season opening events.
Jan.11-12
5K, 15K freestyle Sat; 5K, 10K classic Sun
10 am EST; 10am EST
Man-made snow or natural snow. The man-made snow course is multiple 2.4km loops on the man-made snow trail. If there is enough natural snow, the race will be on the normal ski trails. The Frosty Freestyle will have a 5km (Michigan Cup Junior points) and 15km (Michigan Cup Senior points).
Jan.12
Low-pet Law-pet Challenge (Minneapolis, MN) |
5K freestyle; 10K freestyle
8:30 am; 9:15 am
Formerly known as the Pre-Loppet and a tune up race for the City of Lakes Loppet. Also a 15K fat bike.
Jan.18
Lapham Loppet (Delafield, WI) |
11K freestyle, classic
10:30 am
Held at Lapham Peak. Snowmaking loop is the start, at Evergreen Parking lot. Middle school races too at 9:30 am.
Jan.18
River View Loppet (Brule, WI) |
10K, 18K classic; 10K, 28K freestyle
10 am
Held out on the After Hours ski trails.
Jan.18
Buena Vista Snowjourn (Bemidji, MN) | |
14K classical, freestyle
10 am
One of the oldest races in Minnesota, it's run on the rolling trails at Buena Vista Ski Area. There is also a middle school race and touring event.
Jan.18
Woodland Loppet (Elk River, MN) |
10K, 20K freestyle
9 am
The 20 km course will take full advantage of the trail system; winding through the hilltop loop, triple hills, up Big Tooth Shoot to Top-of-the-World, Stoney Rollers and back through the city park trails to start the second loop. The 10 km courses will follow the same path with only one loop. Free kids race at noon.
Jan.18
MECCA Trails Winterfest (Mercer, WI) |
30K freestyle, classic; 15K freestyle, classic; 5K freestyle, classic
9:30 am; 9:50 am, 10 am; 10:10am
Featuring the Claire d' Loon 5K, the Flowage 15K, and the MECCA 30K courses. The Claire d' Loon 5K is a great race for recreational skiers and kids, classic and skate skiers. The Flowage 15K showcases the MECCA Trails and has classic and skate divisions by age and gender. The MECCA 30K is designed to challenge serious skiers, both classic and skate. Racers will be chip timed.
Jan.18
Ski de She (Cable, WI) |
5K, 10K, 30K freestyle; 5K, 10K, 20K classic
9 am
Races part of the Ski de She, a ski event created for women to come together to expand their skills, build race confidence, and connect with fellow women skiers.
Jan.18-19
NewRhinelander JNQ (Rhinelander, WI) |
5K classic Sat; 5K freestyle Sun
9 am; 8:30 am
Junior National Qualifier racing for the Great Lakes division. Held on the CAVOC trails, hosted by the Northwoods Nordic Ski Club.
Jan.19
Marine/O'Brien Ski Race (Marine on St. Croix, MN) |
12K, 25K classical; 12K, 25K freestyle
10:30 am; 11 am
This is a great community race with scenic trails. Held at William O'Brien State Park. Once around park for 12km and twice around for 25km. There's also great kids races with age appropriate distances starting at 1:45PM! Again this year is a 8km wooden ski tour that starts with the classic race.
Jan.19
Lumberjack Jaunt (Brainerd, MN) |
6K, 16K classic; 6K, 16K freestyle
12 pm; 12:10 pm
Celebrating 50 years in 2025! One of the older races in Minnesota (started in 1972). Held at the Northland Arboretum. There's also a 1K kids race.
Jan.25
Noquemanon Ski Marathon (Ishpeming, MI)
12K, 24K, 50K freestyle, classic
9 am EST
A point to point race, running from Ishpeming to Marquette. Multiple wave starts. Freestyle starts 40 minutes after classical. Last half of the race is almost all downhill. Finishes at Marquette's Superior Dome. Junior race on Friday, Fat Bike races on Sunday.
Jan.25
Founders Classic (Mora, MN) |
5K, 10K, 20K classic
3 pm
he Founders Classic is a classic stride race/tour. Start and finish near the Vasaloppet Nordic Ski Center just off 9th Street in Mora.
Jan.25-26
Minneapolis JNQ (Minneapolis, MN) |
freestyle sprints Sat; 5K, 10K freestyle Sun
Junior National Qualifier racing for the Midwest and Great Lakes divisions. Held on the snowmaking trails at Theodore Wirth, hosted by the Loppet Foundation. Alternatively known as the Mayor's XC Ski Challenge.
Jan.25
Birkie Tour Night Race (Cable, WI) |
10K, 20K freestyle
6 pm, 6:05 pm
Race under the stars on the Birkie Skate and Classic trails, but don't forget to bring a headlamp! Compete as an individual in the 10K, or as a team in the 20K. Awards will be presented to the top 3 male and female individuals, and to the top 3 male, female, and mixed teams.
Jan.25
3-hr or 6-hr, solo or team relay, freestyle or classic
9am
The IRONBULL Ring of Snow Challenge is a solo or team relay challenge hosted by the Wausau Nordic Ski Club held on the Tribute Golf Course. Enjoy the ski community atmosphere while putting in solid Birkie training and complete as many laps as possible in the allotted time category. Or strap on snowshoes for a race or twilight hike!
Jan.26
Iola Norseman Challenge (Iola, WI) |
10K classic; 20K freestyle
9:15 am; 12:15 pm
There is also 3K and 5K high school/middle school races and a kids races.
Jan.27-29
Arrowhead Winter Ultramarathon (International Falls, MN)
135 miles
7 am
The Arrowhead Winter Ultra is an ultramarathon race on bike, foot or skis, covering 135 miles across the Arrowhead Region of Northern Minnesota from International Falls near the Canadian border to Tower, MN.
Jan.28-Mar.25
2.5K, 5K freestyle, classic
6 pm (repeats every 8 weeks)
Fun evening series at MTU, dates this season are: Jan 28th and Mar 25th.
View a full list of Race Series and combined awards.
Legend Trail details & reports Race Updates Results