Lutsen is quadruple the size of most Great Lakes ski resorts. With four peaks, more than 1,000 acres, over 1,000-foot vertical drop, over 90 runs and the region’s only gondola, it’s a legitimate ski area. This New England look-alike also gets rave reviews from skiers and snowboarders for the scenery, thanks to its spectacular views of Lake Superior from just about anywhere on the mountain. Located on four separate peaks of the Sawtooth Mountain range - Moose Mountain, Eagle Mountain, Ullr Mountain and Mystery Mountain - Lutsen offers long New England-like trails.
The nearest major airport is Thunder Bay International Airport in Canada, which is 95 miles from the town of Lutsen. The closest major U.S. airport is Duluth International Airport at 97 miles. You can rent a car to drive to the resort. If you fly into Canada, you will need a passport and will have to pass through U.S. customs to get back into the U.S.
Eagle Mountains ski resort features a 1,088-vertical drop with lift-serviced vertical rise at 825 feet. There are 95 runs spread out over 1,000 acres, and the longest run is 2 miles. The steepest runs are The Plunge and Experts Cutoff. The trail types are 18% beginner, 47% intermediate, 25% advanced and 10% expert. The area receives 120 inches (10 feet) of annual snowfall, and snowmaking occurs on 231 acres (excluding side-country runs).
There are a total of eight lifts, including an eight-passenger Gondola and a six-passenger detachable high-speed chair, Caribou Express. The lift capacity is 10,000 riders per hour.
The ski resort offers 60 acres of tree skiing, and it’s best-known for its wide-opened, groomed cruiser trails. The resort is extremely family-friendly with many activities geared towards families. Summer activities include hiking, an alpine slide, canoe tours and scenic Summit Express Gondola rides. You can go wine tasting throughout the year.
Within a 20-mile radius, there is plenty of lodging – over 3,000 pillows. If you’re hungry before, during or after your adventures, there are multiple on-mountain restaurants. The Snowsports Center offers both adult and youth lessons. There is a structured playgroup for children aged three, which exposes them to skiing.