Skiing and Snowboarding at Lutsen Mountains
Lutsen Mountains is divided into four sections, or "mountains". There's two large areas, Eagle Mountain, where the chalet and the parking lot is, and Moose Mountain. Eagle Mountain has a good mix of everything, Moose Mountain is all blue and black runs. Ullr Mountain is a beginner area, and Mystery Mountain is the second of two smaller areas.The mountains are connected by plenty of chairlifts, and one gondola which is almost worth riding just for the view.
In mountain style, Lutsen Mountains doesn't have lights, so is open daylight hours only, usually 9 am - 4 pm.
The longest run at Lutsen Mountains is quoted as being just over 2 miles long. Don't get too excited, this isn't Telluride. The longest runs are gentle, or very gentle, blue and green cruisers. The average run is somewhat less than that, more like a mile, but that means that the average run is still much longer than what's available at Afton Alps or Welch Village.
There's lots to ski here, and the distance from the cities keeps it from being too crowded.
The runs at Lutsen Mountains are mostly wide open for carving until you can't carve no more, and it's rarely very busy so you often have the sensation of having the run to yourself. And the open runs are separated by trees, with several designated backcountry runs, which when I was there, were full of the most gorgeous fluffy powder.
Black runs at Lutsen Mountains are usually slightly gentler than at Welch Village or Afton Alps. There's lots of beginner area, including one section, Ullr Mountain, specially designated for beginners. But don't worry - there's a good number of double blacks for experts. Plus boarder cross courses, tree skiing, jumps, rails and plenty of terrain features.
And one more thing you won't get at a local ski hill? The view from the top of the runs, over Lake Superior, is sublime. Try not to admire it too much while you are actually skiing. The chalet at the top of Moose Mountain is a great place to take in the view though.
Food and Drink at Lutsen Mountains
The food available is - no surprise - cafeteria style, and there's a couple of options for more substantial dining at Lutsen Mountains too. Papa Charlies, the bar in the main chalet area, might be rustic in style but hosts a surprisingly good array of music artists with live music every weekend and during the week. There's plenty of Minneapolis-based bands with a big local following, that are also happy to make the trip up to Lutsen Mountains to play for the skiers.Outside of Lutsen, there's more choice for food. The Coho Cafe in Tofte is a good pick for breakfast and there's several other restaurants close by too.
Discounted lift tickets for Lutsen Mountains
How can you get cheap lift tickets for Lutsen Mountains?
The published rate for an all-day lift ticket to Lutsen Mountains is $59 + tax in 2011.
The best value for Lutsen Mountains is to book one of the ski-and-stay discounts. You can get a hotel or motel room for two nights, and two days of lift tickets, for as little as $119 if there's two or more people staying - the same price as the lift tickets by themselves. There are plenty of options for lodging on the mountain, and close to it. Expect to pay significantly more to be on the mountain, or suffer the entire 10 minute drive there and stay in a place just outside.
The end of the season is traditionally half price - or rather, get two days of skiing for the price of one.
