Lutsen Mountains
Info: 467 Ski Hill Road, Lutsen, Minn. Open daily Dec. 16 to April 9, 2017, plus April weekends (1-218-663-7281; lutsen.com).
Tickets: Peak-season lift tickets are $82/day for adults, with discounts for half-days or multiple days. Equipment rental starts at $34-$38/day.
Packages: Lodging and skiing packages are probably the way to go, with two nights lodging and two days of lift tickets from $139 via lutsen.com. Three-days-for-the-price-of-two deals abound via lutsen.com or through the individual establishments.
Lodging options: Eagle Ridge Resort and the more upscale Caribou Highlands Lodge offer a "ski-in/ski-out" experience in the heart of the ski area. The lakeside Lutsen Resort and Cascade Lodge, and the budget Mountain Inn, are also nearby. For an overview and links, see lutsen.com/lodging/lodging-guide.
Lessons: Available from Lutsen's Snowsports Center. One-hour adult first-timer lessons (10:45 a.m. daily) from $35; private lessons (several time slots per day) from $69 (lutsen.com/winter/snowsports-center).
Getting there: Lutsen is about 250 miles, or 4 hours, northeast of the Twin Cities via Interstate 35 and Hwy. 61.
