Perhaps the most popular wintertime activity for North Shore residents and visitors is alpine skiing and snowboarding at Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort. This family-owned and operated resort has been a North Shore staple since 1948! It’s a place where locals and visitors test their skiing and snowboarding skills with Lake Superior sweeping along the background. The resort is mid-America’s largest and tallest ski destination with runs and activities for all ages and skill levels.

Mountain Stats

Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort reaches a vertical rise of 1,088 and features 95 runs designed for all skill levels. From the beginner run Big Bunny on Ullr Mountain to The Plunge on Moose Mountain. Whether it’s your first time skiing or your 500th, Lutsen Mountains is meant for you! Runs included groomed, tree runs, moguls, and more. The longest run at Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort is about 2 miles long!

There are over 1,000 acres of skiable area spread out along four mountains: Ullr Mountain, Eagle Mountain, Moose Mountain, and Mystery Mountain. Mountain hopping is encouraged!

The area receives an average of 120″ of snow annually. And for the early season runs, and low snowfall years, Lutsen has the ability to cover 231 acres of runs with snowmaking. So, no matter the weather, the resort usually opens in mid-November and wraps up the season in April. Some years, even May!

There are 7 total chairlifts with a lift capacity of 10,000 riders per hour! Because of this, many skiers/snowboarders report that the chairlift lines at Lutsen are considerably shorter than other major ski resorts.

Throughout the season which runs are open depends largely on the amount of snowfall the area has received. Usually, by mid-December until April all runs and lifts are open. Early and later in the season, some may become unavailable, depending largely on snowfall. Check out the Conditions and Trail Map to see what is currently open.

The Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort Experience

Because of the wide range of runs, you could spend an entire week at Lutsen and likely not do everything. Plus, you get access to the Summit Gondola, which is also a popular summertime experience! The gondola connects skiers and snowboarders to Moose Mountain, which features some of Lutsens’ longest runs.

Of course, the ski experience isn’t all about skiing! Lutsen Mountains also offers a couple of unique dining experiences. Grab a bite to eat between runs at Rosie’s Cafe, located in the main Scandinavian Chalet. Rosie’s Cafe is named after longtime Lutsen resident and Lutsen Mountains employee Rosie Somnis, who passed away in the summer of 2021. Want a meal with a view? Just hop over to Moose Mountain on the gondola and enjoy a meal with sweeping Lake Superior views at the Summit Chalet. Unfortunately, the mountain’s sit-down restaurant and event center, Papa Charlie’s, burned down in the summer of 2023 and is not currently open.

Staying at Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort

You don’t have to travel far to rest your head at the end of a long day of skiing. Cascade Vacation Rentals offers a variety of a wide variety of privately owned vacation rentals right in Lutsen. These include a couple of ski-in/ski-out condos and townhomes with direct access to Lutsen Mountains and several options for larger groups of up to 12!

Come On Up to Lutsen Mountains!

Whether you’re an avid skier/snowboarder or just starting out, Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort has something for everyone! Combined with great dining options and live entertainment, it’s no wonder that Lutsen is mid-America’s premier ski destination. Don’t miss out, come on up and check it out for yourself!

The start of the ski season depends on the temperature. Once the temps cool off enough, Lutsen Mountains has snow-making capabilities allowing most of the runs to open, even if the area has not received snow. Usually, the mountain will be open on weekends for the first couple of weekends, then daily skiing starts the second week of December through the first week of April.  That gives skiers and snowboarders four solid months of daily skiing to enjoy! The North Shore received its first snowfall in mid-October. Extended weekends can often go into May if there is enough snow to support it!

You can even see current conditions and a trail cam of the mountain on the Lutsen Mountains’ website. See what your skiing experience will be before you even get to the moutain.

Check out our videos all about Lutsen Mountains.