The Loppet Foundation
Robert Ibler currently serves as the Trails and Operations Manager for The Loppet Foundation, a position held since May 2019. Additionally, Robert has been self-employed in investment property renovation since 2016. Previously, Robert worked at Punch Neapolitan Pizza from 2008 to 2017, where roles included General Manager and Pizzaiolo. Early in the career, Robert gained experience as a Camp Counselor at Concordia Language Villages from 2006 to 2007. Robert holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government, German, and Global Studies from the University of Minnesota, completed between 2006 and 2010, and also studied at The University of Freiburg in 2008.
The Loppet Foundation
The Loppet Foundation is a non-profit organization that connects people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community. The organization operates the Twin Cities' most well known cross-country ski trails, in addition to hiking/running trails, mountain bike / fat-tire bike trails, a snow tubing hill, an alpine hill, and a frisbee golf course, all based out of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. The Loppet is widely known for organizing large-scale sporting events which have shaped cross-country skiing in both the Midwest and the United States. The 2018 Masters Cross Country Ski World Cup, 2011 and 2021 U.S. Junior Cross Country Ski Championships, 2020 FIS Cross Country World Cup, U.S. SuperTour races, 2019 and 2020 USA Winter Triathlon National Championships, and 2018 Super Bowl Live are some of the largest external events the organization has overseen. The Foundation also organizes 50+ Loppet events each year, including the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival which attracts over 13,000 participants annually. Focused programming in the Adventure Camp, Ski Camp, Minne-Loppet, and Junior Loppet programs have helped thousands of youth in North Minneapolis learn life-long outdoor skills and gain confidence in their abilities. The Loppet Run Club, Loppet Ultra Run Club, and Loppet Ski Club provide adults with the opportunity to gain group recreational experience in individual sports, while Loppet TRAIL KIDS is a stepping stone for children ages 7-13 into other more competitive programs. The year-round nationally-recognized competitive training programs for junior and adult racers include Loppet Run 365, Loppet Cycle Works, and Loppet Nordic Racing.