Spirit Mountain

Some winter venues have business relationships with the surrounding communities, while ski areas like Spirit Mountain exist because the towns created them. The City of Duluth, Minnesota, founded the downhill resort and had its grand opening in December 1974. Its facilities are upgraded regularly, including features that allow it to be a year-round attraction.

Visitors looking to drive here can use Interstate 35, heading north from Minneapolis to Duluth. Those from the northern part of the state drive on US Route 53. Duluth International Airport can handle most arrivals by air, with Minneapolis - St Paul International Airport 162 miles south.

Not Far From the Action

Those visiting the Spirit Mountain ski area will find Duluth's only slopeside lodging at this resort. Mountain Villas allow guests to ski-in/ski-out while providing access to Skyline Parkway. Dining options include the Riverside Bar & Grill, where everyone can refuel before, during, and after hitting the slopes. Rental equipment is available, with packages broken into a full day and night rentals. Reserving online helps secure gear for those traveling light, and it also saves them some money over renting at the counter.

Skiing and snowboarding lessons are available at the Spirit Mountain ski area in packages lasting 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0-hours in length. Special programs are available for kids two to six years old, called Wee-Ski & Wee-Board. Typical family and open sessions for those 13-year or older book throughout the day. Locals and park rats are close enough to take advantage of the Snow Club to get the youngest family members on the pow. Courage Kenny Ski & Snowboard has offered adaptive skiing and riding programs at the Spirit Mountain winter venue since 1979, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the Duluth snow.

Long Winded, Alpine-Style

The Spirit Mountain ski area offers downhill, Nordic, and snow tubing for guests to enjoy. A lift at the tubing area makes it easy for children three or older to take multiple runs down the chutes. Glow tubing after dark two nights a week extends the fun into the twilight hours.

Guests coming to the Spirit Mountain winter venue will also find two Nordic trail systems that are recent additions to the resort. The resort rents equipment for anyone wanting to cross-country ski, with trails rated for several skill levels. There are also three or more terrain parks for skiers and snowboarders to work down, ranging from small terrain for beginners to larger features that experienced ski bums can rip and shred over.

Anyone hitting the slopes of Spirit Mountain will find 175 acres of skiable terrain, with 22 runs rating beginner/green (32-percent), intermediate/blue (41-percent), and advanced/black diamond (27-percent). A 700-foot vertical provides plenty of potentials down these trails, with 144 acres of the mountain equipped for skiing and riding at night. Spirit Mountain receives an average annual snowfall of around 100 inches, with snowmaking capabilities found over the entire resort. Five lifts keep everything moving on the slopes.