North America
Lutsen Resort Guide
Off-season
Closed for the season · reopens Nov 27
Best months to book: February, March, January · 30-yr snow record
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Off-season
Weather data is still collected for informational purposes.
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Resort Guide
Lutsen Mountains is located on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior and is the largest ski resort in the Midwest, offering four interconnected mountains and over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain. The resort features a mix of beginner to expert runs, scenic gondola rides, and panoramic lake views, creating a relaxed yet adventurous atmosphere. Signature experiences include the Midwest’s only mountain gondola, terrain parks, and a variety of winter activities beyond skiing, such as snowshoeing and Nordic trails. Key amenities include on-mountain dining, ski-in/ski-out lodging, and a family-friendly environment.
Gallery
Click to expand • 6 total photos
Terrain & lifts
Resort-reported stats for Lutsen
Lifts
7
Skiable area
1000 ac
Longest run
3.2 km / 2 mi
Runs by difficulty(95 total)
Beginner
17
18% of terrain
Intermediate
45
47% of terrain
Advanced
24
25% of terrain
Expert
9
10% of terrain
Run counts estimated from resort-reported totals and terrain mix.
Terrain by difficulty
- Beginner18%
- Intermediate47%
- Advanced25%
- Expert10%
Lift fleet
- Gondola1
- High-speed 62
- Double chair3
- Surface lift1
Resort Info
Season dates
Future dates are operator estimates and may change.
Ski passes
Indy Pass
Access tiers change by season — confirm benefits on the pass operator's site.
Top Après Ski
Papa Charlie’s Tavern & Stage – Renowned for its vibrant après-ski scene, Papa Charlie’s offers live music, craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere, making it the go-to spot for skiers to unwind and enjoy entertainment after a day on the slopes.
Season vs Historic
Updated Mon, Sep 21, 08:02 AM UTC
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Season Total
This Season to Date
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vs 5-Year Avg
Off-season · 145cm full-season avg
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vs 30-Year Avg
Off-season · 127cm full-season avg
145cm
5-Yr Avg by Now
The last completed season totaled ~139.2 cm. That's 4% below the 5-year average (145 cm). Versus the 30-year baseline: 10% above the 30-year average (127 cm).
Lutsen Season Snowfall
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Lutsen Snow History
Average annual snowfall is 137cm with an average of 79 snowfall days per season. The recent decade runs 20% above this average (164cm over the last ten tracked seasons). The table below shows monthly averages across 30 seasons of archive data (modeled snowpack at mid-elevation).
| Month | Avg Snowfall | Snowfall Days | Avg Base Depth | Max Base Depth | Biggest Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 18cm | 11 days | 4cm | 11cm | 7cm |
| December | 30cm | 16 days | 17cm | 29cm | 9cm |
| January | 22cm | 15 days | 35cm | 44cm | 7cm |
| February | 20cm | 13 days | 43cm | 51cm | 6cm |
| March | 20cm | 11 days | 40cm | 50cm | 8cm |
| April | 22cm | 9 days | 25cm | 41cm | 9cm |
| May | 2cm | 2 days | 3cm | 16cm | 2cm |
Source: SnowSure archive · Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis at mid-elevation. Depth is modeled, not resort-reported.
Season at a Glance
Next season(2026-27)
Opens Nov 27, 2026
Multi-season averages will appear once SnowSure has tracked more than one full season.
Best Months to Visit
February
Peak Season
January
Peak Season
March
Good
December
Good
Note: Based on typical ski season patterns for this region.
Frequently asked questions about Lutsen
- Where is Lutsen?
- Lutsen is a ski resort in the United States.
- How high is Lutsen?
- Lutsen runs from a base elevation of 276 m (906 ft) to a summit of 514 m (1,686 ft), giving a vertical drop of 238 m (781 ft).
- How big is Lutsen?
- Lutsen has 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of skiable terrain, 95 marked runs and 7 lifts.
- Which ski pass covers Lutsen?
- Lutsen is on the Indy Pass. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.
- How much snow does Lutsen get in a typical season?
- Lutsen averages 120 inches / 305 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.
