Lutsen: Skiing, Hiking and Views of Lake Superior

Lutsen offers a range of reasons to visit, from downhill skiing and hiking to an Alpine Slide and golf. Lutsen Mountains combines a ski area with several hiking trails; the Upper Falls of the Poplar River and the Superior National golf course are also located in Lutsen.

Skiing History and Mountains

The history of Lutsen Mountains dates back to Lutsen Resort, founded in 1885 as Minnesota’s first resort. Lutsen also has a specific connection to skiing history: Cindy Nelson learned to ski at Lutsen Mountains. She later became the first American woman to win a World Cup downhill race and won bronze in the downhill at the 1976 Olympics. The resort’s founding and sporting achievements give the skiing theme a historical perspective alongside today’s offerings.

Lutsen Mountains encompasses four interconnected mountains, 95 downhill runs across 1,000 acres, and views of Lake Superior. Operating details can vary by season; check the latest information before planning a day of skiing.

Hiking and Views

The section of the Superior Hiking Trail through Lutsen Mountains features mountain panoramas, deep cedar forests, maple ridges and Poplar River Falls. For a 4.5-mile loop, hikers take the gondola to Moose Mountain above the Poplar River valley and return to the base area via the Spur Trail and Superior Hiking Trail. The Summit Express Gondola offers expansive views of the Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior; visibility depends on the weather. Lift and trail conditions can vary, so check them before setting out.

For a shorter loop, hikers can combine the Moose Mountain Ridgeline Trail with the SHT Spur Trail; the scenic route is a little over a mile long. Hikers can reach the Upper Falls of the Poplar River in Lutsen from the end of Ski Hill Road: the trail follows the connecting path to the Superior Hiking Trail and the old road to the bridge. The route is about half a mile long. The trails also differ in their layout: two are loops, while the route to the Upper Falls leads to the bridge.

More Activities in Lutsen

For the Alpine Slide, the Bridge Chairlift takes guests to Eagle Mountain; from there, the ride descends the mountain for over half a mile. A full round trip takes 7 to 15 minutes, not including wait times. Operation is weather-dependent. Allow extra time for waits, as they are not included in the stated ride duration.

The Summit Chalet is located at the top of Moose Mountain; the Summit Chalet Cafe offers lunch options. The menu and service may vary. Another activity is Superior National, a public 27-hole golf course in Lutsen.

Discover more destinations: Tofte, Grand Marais.

For the main travel overview: Cook County.