Where are all the avid Lutsen shredders at? Upon moving to the Duluth area a few years ago I had my first Lutsen Mountain experience in 2009. I was so disappointed that I had NEVER been there. We are so fortunate to have snowboarding/skiing of that quality only a short drive away, especially because you get to look at the beautiful Lake Superior while doing so, which is also possible in Duluth, but up there you don’t have the industrial eye-sore.
With a vertical of 1,088 ft., 4 “mountains” and 92 runs this place has become my, and a large group of local snow enthusiasts, favorite weekend getaway. They have extremely reasonable rates for rooms. If you’re into roughing it you can camp on the Superior Hiking Trail. It’s family friendly, and party friendly with Papa Charlie’s right on site which has brought some class act musicians including the Gear Daddies, Trampled by Turtles, Railroad Earth and lots of other bands that stinky hippies like!
This weekend is the last chance to get some time in on the slopes, the last three weekends have been filled with all sorts of warm slushy goodness! Since Spirit Mountain closed down already (not even going to go there) a lot of us have been going up any chance we get. The traditional closing weekend festivities will begin on Saturday morning @ 11:30. If the weather is good, like it was last year with temps in the high 50s and sunshine, they’ll be grilling cheap burgers and dogs (veggie options available too if I’m not mistaken) outside with awesome deals on drinks as well. The music line up is
Saturday, April 16
Al Church & State 11:30 am
Pictures of Then 1:00 pm
The Book of Right On 2:30 pm
Bella Ruse 4:00 pm
Enchanted Ape, 21+ 9:30 pm (inside)
Sunday, April 17
Unnamed Stream 11:30 pm
Trails End Band 1:00 pm
Cook County’s Most Wanted 2:30 pm
Timmy Haus 4:00 pm
All of the music is free, and they have 2 for 1 lift tickets and 2 for 1 lodging at their Eagle Ridge resort, which as all right next to the run. Their restaurant, Mogul’s has a smorgasbord style buffet on Sunday (the last day of their “busy season” usually cleaning out everything from their kitchen, which is always delicious. If you stop in for a drink make sure to try their awesome Bloody Mary’s and if you’re on a budget get a PBR Tallboy and the Nacho’s (which could feed a small army, or 3 really hungry people for $9.)
So not trying to sound too much like I’m in charge of their promotions (because I sure as hell am not getting paid for any of this crap I’ve spouted off,) I’m wondering why the hell more people don’t get up there?! There are always so many people from the cities and locals, but it would be nice to see more people from Duluth. It’s one of the largest resorts in the Midwest, it’s up in the boonies so you can get away with way more crap than the pompous asses at Spirit will put up with, and it’s the best place to see typical “northern folk” doing typical stuff … like driving a four wheeler on multiple feet of snow with work boots and cargo shorts, or families that all ski in full Carhartt outfits, blaze orange hunting attire, or snowmobile get-ups.
So if you don’t have anything to do, or don’t feel like doing what you “should” be doing, get your ass up to Lutsen for the weekend, or the day!
