Lutsen Mountains, located about 90 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota is the largest ski resort in the Midwest by a long shot.
The ski resort boasts an 825′ vertical, 1000 acres of terrain, 95 runs, numerous glades, four peaks, and the Midwest’s only gondola. Not too shabby considering most ski areas in the Midwest are run on 200′ hills…
Lutsen posted yesterday that their expansion proposal is being considered by the US Forest Service, and that an environmental impact survey has been conducted. The resort has published an extremely detailed website that includes three options for the proposed expansion.
You can check that out in full detail here.
The largest expansion option is a doozy. Lutsen is proposing the construction of 7 chairlifts and 1 surface lift to service 175 acres of developed ski trails, and 149 acres of gladed terrain.
The expansion would also include two new base areas, a mountaintop chalet, and extensive snowmaking to cover the new developed trails.
If the full plan is approved, Lutsen would establish itself as one of the only destination ski resorts in the Midwest. Mount Bohemia, MI will still holds the crown for the largest vertical and most snowfall, but Lutsen would be the largest ski resort by a mile.
I haven’t been to Lutsen, but I’m looking to make a trip up that way using my Indy Pass this winter. I’ve already heard through the grapevine that there really isn’t any other ski resort like it in the region, and I’m looking forward to check it out myself.
The US Forest Service is soliciting public comment until October 25th. You can comment here.
Featured Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Lutsen Mountains