Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Papa Charlie's is one huge hit. This unique on-mountain dining and entertainment venue serves up live music with woodsy coziness and big city cool in equal measure. Voted "Best Music Venue" in the northern part of the state by Minnesota Monthly Magazine's reader survey, Papa Charlie's has few equals in Heartland ski country.

Coming up is the season ending - for the nightclub scene - Sweetwater Shakedown Spring Music Festival April 2-4. Lutsen will remain open for skiing and riding through April 12, but this is the end of the winter series of concerts; and what an ending it will be with three great nights of music from three great bands.

The festival leads off with Trampled By Turtles, Thursday, April 12. Whether you call it alternative bluegrass, folk, punk rock, or not-so-country country, this hard-driving string band from the Minneapolis area plays high-octane, gritty string band music that's sure to keep your feet tapping and rocking.

Hot Buttered Rum, described as a rock band playing bluegrass instruments, will rock Papa Charlie's with their original music that blends bluegrass, jazz and rock Friday, April 3. You won't be sitting in your seat during their versatile sets.

Keller Williams brings his breathtaking show to Lutsen and Papa Charlie's to end the winter concert season Saturday, April 4 He is a one-man show playing a 10-sstring guitar, a bass, a djembe, a mouth flugel, and other instruments while a jam man loops and layers the sounds into a breathtaking tapestry of sound. It's been described as a sonic frenzy and not to be missed.

You can order tickets and check concert times online. Don't forget Lutsen's $99 weekends: Bring four people and ski and stay for two nights and two days for $99 per person.