Celebrating 20 Years!

As a fun idea from volunteers and students at Colorado Mountain College, the first Leadville Loppet was hosted in 2003. The race showcased the then-newly-dedicated Mineral Belt Trail’s unparalleled mountain vistas; free, all-inclusive access to outdoor play, and community spirit that makes Leadville Leadville.

Today, the Leadville Loppet continues to offer all of those attributes and has found its place among the most-loved winter community events, where Leadville locals and visitors gather to have fun, ski in costumes, share stories, and savor the race’s legendary post-race potluck.

​How to Register:

Early registration is scheduled to open Nov. 1, 2022. Late registration will begin Feb. 1, 2023. Day-before and day-of registration will also be available; however, advanced online registrations are encouraged and appreciated.

Cupless Aid Stations:

Loppet participants should plan to bring their own water bottles or hydration systems to use during the races. Aid stations will not provide disposable cups and will work to minimize using other single-use materials.

​Bring a Reusable Plate:

Post-race potluck participants are asked to bring a reusable plate, bowl, fork, and spoon. While the potluck will offer some recyclable/compostable products, we appreciate those who bring a reusable option to help reduce the event’s footprint. A tremendous thanks goes to those who have done so in prior years, and a thank-you in advance to 2023 participants!

​Choose Among Five Distances:

All distances will start and finish at the Colorado Mountain College Leadville Campus: 901 South Hwy. 24 – Leadville, CO

​44k Ski Race Details:

-8:15 a.m. start time. Six aid stations (including start/finish).

-$75 Nov. 1 — Jan. 31.  $100 Feb. 1 — race day.

-Can be used as a qualifier for the following-year American Birkebeiner.

​​22k Ski Race Details:

-9:15 a.m. start time. Five aid stations (including start/finish).

-$60 Nov. 1 — Jan. 31.  $85 Feb. 1 — race day.

-Can be used as a qualifier for the following-year American Birkebeiner.

​​10k Ski Race Details:

-10 a.m. start time. Three aid stations (including start/finish).

-$40 Nov. 1 — Jan. 31.  $65 Feb. 1 — race day.

-Though not the ‘official’ costume race, ovations go to skiers who dress up!

​​5K Costume Ski Details:

-12:30 p.m. start time.

-$15 Nov. 1 — race day.

-Dress up! Wigs, mullets, vintage ski garb, party pants, tutus, onesies, 2023 Captain Marvel suits, Elrond outfits… there’s just no such thing as too much awesome for this race.

​​1K Kids Funski Details:

-12:45 p.m. start time. Free to all kids. No pre-registration needed. Just show up!

-Kids show off their best costumes, colors, and outfits!

-Finishers receive a swirly-colorful lollipop and a toothbrush.

​Race bib/packet pick-up times and late registrations:

Pre-registered participants will be able to pick up race numbers 4 — 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 at the Colorado Mountain College Climax Gymnasium located at the CMC Leadville Campus. Others can also register at that time. Pre-registered participants may also pick up their numbers on Saturday morning, and day-of-race registration will be available Saturday on a limited basis. 

Awards Ceremony and Post-Race Potluck:

-Awards and post-race potluck are held 12 — 3 p.m. in the Colorado Mountain College Climax gymnasium adjacent to the start/finish.

-The Awards Ceremony Potluck features homemade soups, chilis and casseroles, and dessert specialties contributed by generations of Leadville community members.

-Did you know? The signature Leadville Loppet blueberry soup is a long-time Norse and Scandinavian tradition, as are Loppet events.

​Annual Fundraiser for Leadville’s Historic Mineral Belt Trail:​

The Leadville Loppet proceeds help support the care and maintenance for the city’s famed and historic Mineral Belt Trail, which is an 11.6-mile, all-season, non-motorized, ADA-accessible loop. The trail meanders through the historic Leadville Mining District while offering unsurpassed views of the Sawatch and Mosquito Mountain ranges consisting of 12, 13, and 14 thousand-foot peaks. During summer, spring and fall, the paved trail welcomes enthusiasts such as walkers and runners, cyclists and wheelchairists; strollers, in-line skaters and long-boarders. Winter users will find the trail groomed for freestyle and classic Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, winter biking, running, walking, and more. Please email LeadvilleLoppet@gmail.com with questions about the 2023 Leadville Loppet.