Sponsored by Lutsen Mountains
Lutsen Mountains, located just minutes from the shores of Lake Superior in the Sawtooth Mountains, is the Midwest’s only true mountain ski area experience, home to 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and nearly 100 runs. However, the Midwest’s preeminent ski experience is just as fun and full of adventure in the summer as it is during the winter. As the snow melts and the days get longer and warmer, it becomes a summer playground for outdoor lovers. Let our guide show you what’s special about Lutsen Mountains in the summer.
About Lutsen Mountains
Lutsen Mountains has been welcoming travelers and adventurers of all varieties since the late 1800s when C.A.A. Nelson started it as a humble inn. Nelson’s grandson, George, opened it for skiing in 1948 with one lift and two runs. The decades that followed would see it become a legendary part of the Midwest ski scene. George’s daughter, Cindy Nelson, who trained here, put Lutsen Mountain on the map as a National and Olympic ski champion. The current ownership, the Skinner family and Midwest Family Ski Resorts, has continued to innovate and invest in Lutsen Mountains, making it the largest ski resort in the Midwest and a true four-season destination.
Summer Adventures
Summer adventures are in plenty around Lutsen Mountains. For starters, its alpine slide and gondola are two of the best ski resort activities of their kind in the Midwest. Guests of the alpine slide can take full control, either enjoying a leisurely ride through the forest or letting it rip down the exhilarating, half-mile track. The gondola, rising 1,000 feet above Lake Superior, features incredible views of the sprawling Sawtooth Mountains and dramatic coastline. Guests disembark at the top of Moose Mountain, where they can take in the views at the observation deck, go hiking, or enjoy lunch at the Summit Chalet.
There are miles of trails around Lutsen and throughout the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains that take hikers through fields of wildflowers, through lush forests, and to stunning overlooks of Lake Superior. Highlights include the famous Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), which travels the distance of Minnesota’s North Shore from Duluth to the Canada border. A fun way to experience it is by riding the gondola to the top of Moose Mountain and then returning to the Lutsen Mountains base via the Spur Trail and Superior Hiking Trail. There are too many great hikes to mention, but whatever you do, don’t leave without hiking to some of the region’s beautiful waterfalls that dot the North Shore.
The region is a playground for bikers, too, with Cook County home to more than 2,000 miles of trails. You’ll find everything from endless backcountry gravel roads to rugged singletrack to the paved Gitchi Gami State Trail that winds along Lake Superior’s shore. Whether you get your kicks from the mountains or the water, you’ll have every adventure you can think of at your fingertips with Lutsen’s location in the Sawtooth Mountains and with its convenient access to nearby state parks and Lake Superior’s North Shore.
Come back to Lutsen Mountains after a day of adventures to Charlie’s Alpine Bistro, which is a reimagining of the popular Papa Charlie’s space. Enjoy dinner and drinks while taking in the stunning North Shore sunset that Lutsen Mountains is known for.
Plan Your Trip
- Getting there. The closest international airport is Duluth International Airport (DLH). It’s then a beautiful 90-minute drive along Lake Superior to Lutsen Mountains. Minneapolis is a couple hours south of Duluth and therefore a four-hour drive by car to Lutsen.
- Events. Plan your trip around one of the many great summer events at Lutsen Mountains. Lutsong Music Festival, the Grand Marais Arts Festival, and the Fisherman’s Picnic and Parade are among the summer’s top events.
- Where to stay. Lutsen Mountains is home to a variety of great accommodations, including the Lutsen Mountains’ own Eagle Ridge Resort, located directly on the mountain and just feet away from the gondola. Other popular lodging options include Scandinavian cabins and the Mountain Inn at Lutsen. There are also tons of stunning accommodations along the shores of Lake Superior.
June 13, 2025
