Featured Image Courtesy: FACEBOOK/Spirit Mountain
^Courtesy: Spirit Mountain, Indy Pass
Spirit Mountain is a relatively-large (by Midwestern standards) ski area owned by the city of Duluth, Minnesota.
Spirit has experienced some lean years lately, and has received over $500k in emergency funding to keep the lifts spinning over the last two seasons.
The city of Duluth hired a consulting company to tackle the chronic issue, and well… it’s going to take A LOT of money to save the ski area.
^Courtesy: Spirit Mountain, Indy Pass
SE Group is proposing that Duluth invests $23 million to draw more tourism based on the following improvements:
- $5.5M on a new chairlift and removal of existing lifts
- $6.8M on lodge renovations
- $1.9M on ‘Adventure Park’ upgrades
- $3.6M on Nordic skiing and MTB trails
You can read the full breakdown of SE Group’s suggestions at MPR News.
I’m going to assume that the city of Duluth doesn’t have $20 million+ just laying around to throw at Spirit Mountain, but I sure hope they can figure out a way to save the ski area.
Spirit Mountain Ski Area Stats
Vertical: 700′
# of Trails: 22
Skiable Terrain: 175 ac.
Average Snowfall: 70″ (Duluth, MN)
