Lutsen Mountains Slated To Open November 23
The Great Lakes largest ski resort, Lutsen Mountains, is scheduled to open the weekend before Thanksgiving, which of course depends on snow. Last season they opened on December 1, one of the earliest Midwest ski resorts to open last season.
Lutsen puts their snowmaking crew on 24-hour call in November to take advantage of the best snowmaking conditions possible as they happen. They probably have the best chance of opening significant slopes within the shortest amount of time around the Heartland.
Located along the North Shore of Minnesota overlooking mighty Lake Superior it offers true mountain skiing with a vertical drop of around 900 feet that embraces winter. With more than 120” of lake effect snow from the big lake, 1,000 acres of downhill skiing, 450km of cross-country trails, and 450 miles of snowmobile trails it offers a true winter experience.
In a typical season they are able to open one to three runs on Ullr Mountain in late November. With a strategic mix of novice, intermediate, and expert terrain it's the perfect opportunity to get your ski legs in shape before they open the long cruisers on Moose typically a week later.
Lift tickets from opening weekend through December 12 are $89 for adults. Daily prime lift tickets during the season from 12-13-2024 to 4-6-2025 will be $109, and holiday lift tickets, December 22 to 31 and February 15 and 16 are $119. Rates and availability may be subject to change. Surge pricing may apply on dates that approach sold-out capacity. Last season they had some days when tickets weren't available and were sold out. Plan ahead. It's a bit of a drive up the North Shore, and you don't want to arrive and not be able to purchase a lift ticket.
Lutsen skis off four mountains and between the four there are 95 runs with the longest about two miles. They offer one gondola, two six-seat high-speed chairs, three double and a magic carpet in the beginner area. The four mountains offer a wide variety terrain from wide-open cruisers to bump runs, steep chutes and 60 acres of tree skiing.
