Overlooking Lake Superior. The Lutsen company had wanted to double its skiable terrain and connect its four mountains with more lifts and trails.
Tribes objected to intrusion on sacred land
DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Forest Service denied an application by the ski resort Lutsen Mountains to expand its 95-run area by 496 acres. Thomas Hall, supervisor of the Superior National Forest, sided with three native tribes that negative impacts on the land would outweigh the economic benefits of more tourism income and jobs. Lutsen had put forth the plan in 2017. The plan was to build two new base facilities, seven chairlifts and two new snowmaking reservoirs on the south face of Moose Mountain. The proposal drew 560 public comments on both sides. The three tribes — the Bois Forte, Fond du Lac and Grand Portage bands — objected that the expansion would “irreversibly impact this unique area that has been historically important to the bands and will continue to be important culturally, spiritually and as a subsistence resource for future generations.” The expansion would have doubled the skiable Lutsen terrain.
Earlier: Lutsen still hosting skiers in May
Lutsen profile
Lutsen, built in 1979, is the northernmost ski area in the contiguous United States, and the largest in the Midwest. It’s a destination resort for skiing and in summer for hiking. Lutsen benefits from lake-effect snow off Lake Superior. The ski area consists of four hills, named Eagle, Ullr, Mystery and Moose. The vertical drop: 825 feet. The lift system has seven chairlifts, one gondola and one surface lift. The corporation has two resorts — Caribou Highlands and Eagle Ridge with hotels, condos, and townhomes.