Details on taking a trip to Spirit Mountain

Spirit Mountain is approximately 150 miles north of the Twin Cities, on the south side of Duluth. Because of the nature of COVID-19, as well as the challenges of heavy weekend traffic, Spirit will offer some reserved parking for guests with special needs. This year, guests are asked to get ready in their vehicle before arrival.

Mountain Villas is the closest lodging option, and guests get discounts at the recreation area (mtvillas.com). Duluth offers plenty of other options, many of them listed at the Spirit Mountain site (spiritmt.com/area-lodging). But after a day on the slopes, I drove past Duluth for a stay along the North Shore. I spent the night at Larsmont Cottages, a set of condos on the icy shores near Two Harbors (odysseyresorts.com/larsmont-cottages). There are plenty of places like this up the shore — and many offer dining on the premises. My weekend at Spirit and Larsmont almost felt like two getaways in one.

As a professional instructor, I encourage lessons. There's nothing worse than having a bad day on the mountain and going home grumpy — or worse yet, broken. Lessons can change your appreciation for the sport and what you can do or achieve. Spirit Mountain offers individual and group lessons (spiritmt.com/lessons-camps).

Troy Melhus