Lutsen is only open on Mystery for the 2005 season

[Thewavebb]

I was looking on Lutsens webpage and it indicated that biking will be restricted to mystery mountain this season. I can tell you that I will not be riding lutsen untill they decide to open up Moose mtn again. All the good riding was on that hill, mystery is lame. I loved riding up there once or twice a summer on moose mtn.

[Burke]

Be sure to tell them that. Otherwise they will have little idea that their closing Moose is affecting business.

[soupboy]

...but a more common occurence the last few years has been mgmt telling people the Moose chair was going to be open a particular weekend and then having riders show up only to learn that is was closed (or worse yet, they never had any intention to open it).

Moose has far superior (no pun intended) terrain. You can get in some of the best climbing in the Midwest by earning your way to the top. It just takes so much darn energy...;) The rocky DH sections are worth the effort and the biggest draw for me to Lutsen.

Mystery has a couple fun sections but I get really bored with those after a few runs.

My opinion is that if you're only going to run one lift, run the Moose lift. If people don't want to climb back out of the valley they can sidehill over to the gondola the hikers/photographers use.

Sean

[Buck]

That is odd, b/c I know that mountaincylcerulz(Brad Miller) has been flagging new lines at Lutsen, starting last weekend he was out there. I couldn't tell ya, but Lutsen management has always been kinda of sketchy!

L8R
Buck

[Thewavebb]

Be sure to tell them that. Otherwise they will have little idea that their closing Moose is affecting business.

good call. I will do that.

[jms]

we have a group of 10 to 15 that went up 4 times last year, and almost that many in '03. a week before we are to head out i'd check the Lutsen website and make sure the Moose lift was operating. the 4 times we went the Moose lift was running just it said on there website. it would burn me if they said it was to be open, and then it wasn't.:mad:

i know if they don't open Moose we will be making different plans for our rides this year. i did e-mail bikes@lutsen.com and asked them why they decided to close Moose to bikes this year. hopefully i get a reply.

Peace,
Joe

[homebrewbiker]

I have only been to Lutsen once, and I still very distinctly remmber the Moose Trail. I twas long and I got tired towards the end and got knocked off my bike hitting a rock the wrong way, but it was the best trail there. It would be shame if it is closed, I don't that I would be as exceited to ride there in that case. As I recall it was a lot of rock, so it doesn't seem like erosion would an issue.

[waitabit]

we have a group of 10 to 15 that went up 4 times last year, and almost that many in '03. a week before we are to head out i'd check the Lutsen website and make sure the Moose lift was operating. the 4 times we went the Moose lift was running just it said on there website. it would burn me if they said it was to be open, and then it wasn't.:mad:

i know if they don't open Moose we will be making different plans for our rides this year. i did e-mail bikes@lutsen.com and asked them why they decided to close Moose to bikes this year. hopefully i get a reply.

Peace,
JoeI just e-mailed them and told 'em they just lost alot of money if they dont open it.

[Buck]

I just e-mailed them and told 'em they just lost alot of money if they dont open it.

I hope it was way more constructive then that...and so you all know, there are new DH SPECIFIC lines being marked.
L8R
Buck

PS: I hope Brad sees this and speaks up.

[mountaincyclerulz]

I'll say this, the mgmt. has a mind of there own at that place. I and many others I'm sure have told them that the best riding is on moose mtn. The head people don't seem to care because there not seing numbers. I and Brad Resch will talk to them and find out for sure. Also i'm only flaging certian single track right now. hint: leading up to rock drops 5-7ft. So just think fun singletrack options right now.

[Panman]

Yeah, if they want more numbers at Lutsen, all the time, they should make more types of trails. DH/FR/more XC Heck, they have the terrian for a great trails and proly could be the best in the midwest. IMO But we'll never see that kind of development.

[jms]

for years my buddies and i have been saying the same thing. over the years we thought they could do sooo much more to draw all kinds of riders. what we always figured was they make such a killing during the winter months that the summer is nothing to them. they get what they get for riders, and they didn't care to do anything more to bring new riders to the area.the potential is there for lutsen to be a destination riding spot for the midwest.


Peace,
Joe

[Buck]

Well, I'll tell ya all what, I am working with Spirit, which isn't in the middle of no where, and is working with me to make that area a destination, so either you can go to Lutsen and pay for over priced everything or you can come to Duluth!

L8R
Buck

[Kingbozo]

Well, I'll tell ya all what, I am working with Spirit, which isn't in the middle of no where, and is working with me to make that area a destination, so either you can go to Lutsen and pay for over priced everything or you can come to Duluth!

L8R
Buck

A full on MTB park at Spirit would be fan-friggin-tastic. And long overdue.

[waitabit]

I hope it was way more constructive then that...and so you all know, there are new DH SPECIFIC lines being marked.
L8R
Buck

PS: I hope Brad sees this and speaks up.Well guess what, it was more constructive, but thanx for the assuming that it wasnt and insulting my intelligence.Dont insult my intelligence anymore please.

[jms]

Well guess what, it was more constructive, but thanx for the assuming that it wasnt and insulting my intelligence.Dont insult my intelligence anymore please.

have they (lutsen) replied back to you yet?

Peace,
Joe

[waitabit]

have they (lutsen) replied back to you yet?

Peace,
JoeHavent heard a thing.:mad:

[jms]

Havent heard a thing.:mad:

That's too bad, i'm waiting on them also, but i really didn't expect to hear back from them myself.:confused:
althought you'd figure they would want to clear things up.

Peace,
Joe

[Buck]

Well guess what, it was more constructive, but thanx for the assuming that it wasnt and insulting my intelligence.Dont insult my intelligence anymore please.

hahaha, whoa man, I was being sarcastic...well maybe you were to, and this is the internet after all :eyeroll: , I don't care about Lutsen, if we all help make Spirit a success, every one is a winner, b/c Lutsen I think will either close down or follow suit and improve the bike trails...anyway, be sure to post the response I'm interested to see their response.
L8R
Buck

[Thewavebb]

They have yet to respond to my email as well. Buck, you will probably be the first to know if they do.

[jms]

They have yet to respond to my email as well. Buck, you will probably be the first to know if they do.
yeah, if and when they reply to me, i'll post what they have to say also.

Peace,
Joe

[jms]

so you guys are running a business.:D

what would be your policy on replying in e-mails?
mine would be reply asap, but that's me.

Peace,
Joe

[Thewavebb]

I think I would blow off everybody and run my company into the ground because I dont like listening to my customers and I want to do what i want because its my company.

Hell, i would even be happy with some sort of form letter explaining their reasons. That wouldn't be that hard. Like I told Buck, my money is going to where its loved, be it afton, spirit or who have you. Lutsen's a 7 hr drive anyways for me, i dont need that.

[bigwheel]

For quite a few years, I have been running ski trips for a local ski club. We pretty much gave up on Lutsen about 8-10 years ago. The terrain is the best in the midwest. However, they wouldn't maintain it (the hill, the lifts, or the townhouses). Plus, they were very expensive and were jerks when you tried to work with them. I think they knew that they had the best hill around, and they didn't have to accomodate their customers.

The funny thing is that the same company owns Rib Mountain in Wausau WI, where they do a great job maintaining the area. However, I was there one time last winter when they had a lift die, and left people stranded for about 2 hours, in not-so-nice weather. No backup system, and no good way to get people down, other than with ropes from the ski patrol. Fortunately, I was not on the lift. All they did was give the stranded people a free ticket to use on another day. One of the guys I talked to was furious because he came in from out of town, and would never get a chance to use the ticket. They still wouldn't give him a refund.

Almost every other ski place we deal with is far better at accomodating the needs of their customers.

[Buck]

I think I would blow off everybody and run my company into the ground because I dont like listening to my customers and I want to do what i want because its my company.

Hell, i would even be happy with some sort of form letter explaining their reasons. That wouldn't be that hard. Like I told Buck, my money is going to where its loved, be it afton, spirit or who have you. Lutsen's a 7 hr drive anyways for me, i dont need that.
Ben we have Steeple right our back door!!! hahaha screw Lutsen, the trail we built at Steeple is more fun then any of the trails at Lutsen!

L8R
Buck

[jms]

Ben we have Steeple right our back door!!! hahaha screw Lutsen, the trail we built at Steeple is more fun then any of the trails at Lutsen!

L8R
Buck

Buck,
where's this Steeple you talk of?

Peace,
Joe

[Magic]

Steeple Chase is in southern Minnesota. A new place to have some FR fun. It's in the development stage as of this writing, but will be open later this summer. Buck can add to this statement.:etard:

[jms]

Steeple Chase is in southern Minnesota. A new place to have some FR fun. It's in the development stage as of this writing, but will be open later this summer. Buck can add to this statement.:etard:

Thanks,

that's why i've never heard of it.

Peace,
Joe

[Buck]

Steeple Chase is in southern Minnesota. A new place to have some FR fun. It's in the development stage as of this writing, but will be open later this summer. Buck can add to this statement.:etard:

I mostly certainly can!

Steeple Chase SKi Area is a collaboration of work between, the owner of steeple chase, Rasc, MORC, and IMBA. This past week I went down on Friday to not only host the IMBA team and a couple riders but also to help out with the designing, I was very surprised at how much input they actually made reality!!!!!! :shocked: Great bunch of guys to work with. Anyway then on the weekend all the volunteers that came to the IMBA School hacked the line out and made a rideable tread in two days(!), the area is NOT open to the public yet...as my understanding of it goes(and if someone knows more feel free to correct me) it will open in Mid-summer(I'm pushing for earlier) SO here is the low down the trail has 20+ plus hits on the way down and will be super buff with alittle more work! With further development of a XC trails(4miles worth initially), FR area, and DS course.

If you have any more questions, post them on up in the steeple chase thread and we'll get them answered!!!
Thanks
L8R
Buck

[annamul]

Here's what I sent to the "management" at Lutsen. I emailed it to both of their listed email addresses and sent a hard copy letter to attention management. Probably won't get a response but at least I've said my peace. Now I can relax and plan a trip to Michigan......I'll keep everyone updated if by the grace of buddha they respond.

5-14-05
Lutsen Mountains
Attn: Management
Box 129
Lutsen, MN 55612

Dear Management,

My name is Anna Amick and my boyfriend and I are avid mountain bikers in the Twin Cities. Every year we look forward to making multiple trips to Lutsen Mountains for lots of downhilling fun. Obviously our favorite spot is Moose Mountain because of the length and challenging terrain. It is one of the main reasons why we love Lutsen so much! Once we learned that Moose would be closed to bikers for unknown reasons (listed on your website), naturally we were confused, upset, hurt and disappointed. We even reconsidered our trip up there this coming Memorial Day Weekend. Both my boyfriend and I have emailed and attempted to call you regarding this issue, just to ask WHY? Neither of us have gotten a response, when we call nobody answers the phone. We have read numerous forums on this matter one being on the MORC website. (I highly recommend you check out what your paying customers are saying about you: http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13310 ) Other mountain bikers as well are upset about this and have also emailed you with no response. Your website says "for questions" and then there is an email link under the paragraph saying that Moose will be closed to bikers this season. Now, if there was any communication on your part, like for example: "Moose will be closed due to trail maintenance and construction", that would be disappointing but we could live with it knowing that next year it would all be worth the wait to have some cool new trails, maybe some obstacles, etc. Do you guys even remotely realize that you have the coolest terrain in the Midwest and if you actually repaired, maintained, held national races, built obstacles, etc. you could have THE PREMIER mountain bike park worthy of advertising in bike magazines and bring in not just the locals but people all over the Midwest?!?!?! It is very frustrating as a mountain biker to live in the Midwest anyway, but to witness this constant lack of customer service, trail maintenance, and all around management skills at our favorite place is just salt in the wound! I own my own company. It is a small but successful commercial audio visual installation company, which I partially contribute to my excellent customer communication skills. I also know that if I treated my customers in the way in which you have, I would NOT be in business. I simply treat my customers and fellow vendors as I would expect and want to be treated. I think this goes for all things in life. Which comes back to you, Lutsen Mountains. Why can't we get simple customer communication from you? Would you treat your skiers this way? Would you treat your dog, your cat, your spouse this way? The public wants to know why you won't have the best reason for coming up there open this year! Is this too much to ask? Will you risk loosing business over something as trivial as a little communication? Can you afford to do this when rising competition that is closer to the Twin Cities is lurking in the future? (Spirit Mt. - Duluth & Steeple Chase - Rochester)

We want to know, I want to know how you stay in business when it is run so poorly? At one time we would look forward to plan trips to your park. I look forward when I can think this again.

Sincerely,

Anna Amick

[Thewavebb]

Welcome to morc and nice first post. I have yet to get a response from them and its been 3 weeks. No real surprise there

[waitabit]

No response here either, screw 'em.

[redlinmi]

One piece of info that may or may not be relevant -- Lutsen's expansion plans. I have never seen the info on their Web site, but the 2004-05 winter marketing brochure had info on their 3-phase development/expansion plan. Moose and Eagle both get upgrades in the first two phases -- express parking lot for shore residents/day guests on Moose, and some ski trail expansion and chalet work on Eagle.

Mystery and Ullr, to my knowledge, are not impacted by the expansion plans. Joe's in Roseville may still have the brochure from last year in their shop. Some of the later Phase III items don't have specific completion dates, but the brochure did mention Moose/Eagle work on Phase I/II items starting this summer. This may explain why Moose is off-limits -- just a thought.

One other interesting note for the skiers -- a high-speed/detachable quad on Moose in Phase III. We'll see if it happens or not...

[Buck]

Awesome 1st post!!! How about this I am in talks with Spirit Mtn. for some way more serious stuff. can't give lots of details b/c it is still in the early phase but, I see some grea things happening that will be way better this Lutsen, so we should start focusing are attention some where we can make a difference. Hey Lutsen wasn't all that fun anyway. :geek:


L8R
Buck

PS: I also have yet to recieve a response

[devo kenivel]

OK, I know that you guys like ripping on Lutsen and I don't blame you. But there is no way that any other place can compete with their vertical which consequently makes them number 1 around here. I wish that those dumbasses would get their thumbs out of their butts and realize this and put some time and money into it but doubt that will happen. So Buck, I'm expecting big things out of Spirit so I don't have to drive 2 more hours to some poorly (albeit much longer) maintained trails. I'd help if I had time.


Devo

[sportel]

I just checked Lutsen's sight and see the tram is still running! I can't imagine why bikes won't be allowed on Moose. This really sucks! I want to move out west!:mad:

[waitabit]

I just checked Lutsen's sight and see the tram is still running! I can't imagine why bikes won't be allowed on Moose. This really sucks! I want to move out west!:mad:Whats up Dan?I hear ya!Its tempting.:geek:

[mountaincyclerulz]

While I was riding there on saturday I got the chance to talk to someone about some of the issuses surrounding the place. First, the reason moose is closed is because of the consruction going on up there. Yes the gondola is running but, no bikes. The sad thing is that when the constuction is done that bikes probably still wont be allowed on moose. The only good thing about it is that the trail manager up there does want to improve the mystery mountain trails. With that said I really stressed the fact that they need some single track up there. Even better he brought up the idea of some ladders so.... who knows. Atleast for right now there are some singletrack options being cut in the woods between the runs and surrounding the runs. Keep your eyes open for flagging tape cuz they wont let us put them on the map yet.

[Buck]

While I was riding there on saturday I got the chance to talk to someone about some of the issuses surrounding the place. First, the reason moose is closed is because of the consruction going on up there. Yes the gondola is running but, no bikes. The sad thing is that when the constuction is done that bikes probably still wont be allowed on moose. The only good thing about it is that the trail manager up there does want to improve the mystery mountain trails. With that said I really stressed the fact that they need some single track up there. Even better he brought up the idea of some ladders so.... who knows. Atleast for right now there are some singletrack options being cut in the woods between the runs and surrounding the runs. Keep your eyes open for flagging tape cuz they wont let us put them on the map yet.

Great news Brad!!! Thanks for the up-date!
L8R
Buck

[annamul]

I got an email from Lutsen this morning. Here it is:

Thank you for your comments on our bike trails. We have specifically put the bike email link on our web site to elicit feedback for our trail system and have been impressed with both the number of responses and the passion that the avid mountain bikers have for our trail system.

We have a number of construction projects on Moose Mountain this summer that will interfere with our mountain bike trails. Trail improvements on several of the ski slopes will tear up sections of the bike trail creating safety issues in the treadway. In addition, construction of a new restaurant and chalet at the summit of Moose Mountain will generate a good deal of vehicle traffic throughout the summer as we haul materials to the work site creating the potential for bike/vehicle collisions. With these hazards present, we have decided to close Moose Mountain to biking this summer.

In the interim, we are improving the bike experience on Mystery Mountain, adding some new single track sections and trying to add as much terrain as possible that includes the ledge rock outcroppings that make the riding on Moose so spectacular. In addition, we are working with the Forest Service to get permits to build a trail that connects the Lutsen trail system with Onion River/Barker Lake trails in a giant 13 mile backcountry loop.

Thanks again for your input. Your comments help us identify the desires of the mountain bike community and improve the experience of riding at Lutsen.


So.......when is Spirit going to be ready?!?!?

[Buck]

I got an email from Lutsen this morning. Here it is:

Thank you for your comments on our bike trails. We have specifically put the bike email link on our web site to elicit feedback for our trail system and have been impressed with both the number of responses and the passion that the avid mountain bikers have for our trail system.

We have a number of construction projects on Moose Mountain this summer that will interfere with our mountain bike trails. Trail improvements on several of the ski slopes will tear up sections of the bike trail creating safety issues in the treadway. In addition, construction of a new restaurant and chalet at the summit of Moose Mountain will generate a good deal of vehicle traffic throughout the summer as we haul materials to the work site creating the potential for bike/vehicle collisions. With these hazards present, we have decided to close Moose Mountain to biking this summer.

In the interim, we are improving the bike experience on Mystery Mountain, adding some new single track sections and trying to add as much terrain as possible that includes the ledge rock outcroppings that make the riding on Moose so spectacular. In addition, we are working with the Forest Service to get permits to build a trail that connects the Lutsen trail system with Onion River/Barker Lake trails in a giant 13 mile backcountry loop.

Thanks again for your input. Your comments help us identify the desires of the mountain bike community and improve the experience of riding at Lutsen.


So.......when is Spirit going to be ready?!?!?

Got the exact same response...SPirit will happen as soon as more people start show up and help!
Once the DH is done we start on the FR trail when that is done, I talk to spirit and the lifts get turned on for a weekend to see how it goes.
L8R
Buck

[Kosk]

mmmmmmmm.....freeride trail.......ahgahagahagagaagahaha.


I would recommend showing up to help Adam over Memorial day weekend. You can help him finish one of the most flowy parts of the DH course. He's gonna need help building a sweet gap jump across a creek, followed by a highspeed insloped berm. All you guys beotchin' about places to build/ride more tech trails, this IS IT! Get out and make it happen.

I'd be there, but I have to go get my bike, which somehow accidentally got shipped to Moab.....damn, how did that happen?!?!?

[reedallan]

Does anyone know the best way to get updates on how the trails are at Lutsen? If so, please let me know. :cheesy: Thanks!

[Thewavebb]

In the past summers they had it on there webpage which lifts are running. Now that they only have one, it seems sorta silly to have that feature. They only close usually for bad weather and nuclear winds I think. I know I have ridden there more when its really really wet then when its dry.

[mill0866]

I went up to Lutsen a few weeks ago with a buddy of mine (6/17 to be precise). We had but one day to ride on the North Shore and we specifically choose Lutsen because we wanted to be sure of a good ride. All we got was a big hole in the pocket book! As mentioned in this thread most of the cross country trails were closed. All we could hope for was to ride straight up the grassy, muddy, rutted out climbs and head right back down. Two laps of that and we had enough. The signage is poor, and you end up off trail a number of times. Worse than that, a "trail pass" NOT including lift access cost us almost $30 per person!

If you want great cross country riding, look elsewhere. Unless you're in full DH gear you've got to be on the brakes hard most of the way down. If you're on the North Shore and want to get SOME kind of riding in, check out the free trails listed on this site. They're comparable to the quality of Lutsen, and you'll save the $30 for a burger, beer, and chain lube! The only people i can see enjoying Lutsen this year are down hill riders, and even then only if they show up when the lift is running and the trails are dry.

P.S. I tried to contact Lutsen via the web site link regarding their unbelievably high prices for a basic access pass. No response.

[reedallan]

I was there last Sunday and had a fantastic time, used the lifts and bombed down the trail for about 5 hours. They had all the trails open, a couple were muddy, but you can always skip those. It will be even better next year when moose is open again(hopefully). I agree $26(what I paid for the bike lift only) is a little high, but I only head up there every once in a while and its worth it to me.

[Buck]

that is why you should all chip in at Spirit, by the end of summer all new signage will be in and a DH course is complete, with a FR course on the drawing board, there is also some killer singletrack, but that is hard to find at the moment hence the signage is on the way!

Thanks
L8R
Buck

[devo kenivel]

Buck, do you have some sort of layout for the FR course that you could include in this thread?

Devon

[Buck]

Buck, do you have some sort of layout for the FR course that you could include in this thread?

Devon

Nope, one the drawing board, still be discussed, still concept but I have the go a head.
L8R
Buck