Winter 2012-13 1-800-BLUEFIN (1-800-258-3346) FISHWR THE APPER Lutsen Mountains: Make Tracks to The History of MN’s Your Guide to Say “I Do” to Minnesota’s Best Outdoor & Indoor Premier Ski Resort Winter Romance Winter Festival! Winter Adventure Page 2-3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 WAVE HELLO TO UNFORGETTABLE WINTER ADVENTURE Twin Cities, MN Cities, Twin Permit #4190 Permit PAID U.S. Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT TOFTE, MN 55615 MN TOFTE, Dear Guests, Welcome to our second edition of the Bluefi n Bay Family of Resorts Fishwrapper. Many years ago, the Fishwrapper began as a way of delivering news and updates from Bluefi n Bay. While that aim still holds true, we’ve expanded our focus to bring you the latest and Making Moguls Out of Mountains greatest from all of our resort properties – Bluefi n Bay, Surfside and Temperance Landing – as the Bluefi n Bay How Premier Downhill Skiing Came to Town Family of Resorts. When Swedish immigrant Charles Axel Nelson put down convinced a ski business set in the rugged Sawtooth It has been a good year for the Bluefi n Bay resorts $12 to buy a remote swath of mountainous land along the Mountains would be a success. He and his father – family as we are able to create and share vacation shores of Lake Superior in 1885, he couldn’t have known George Sr. – soon kicked off building what is now Lutsen memories with a range of guests from all over the that his purchase would someday lead to Minnesota’s Mountains Ski Resort. Midwest and Canada. We have an exciting and event fi rst – and the Midwest’s premier – ski resort. No, he simply Development began with $500 and two lumberjacks. fi lled winter planned and look forward to helping wanted to build a home for his wife and son, supported by Armed with only hand axes and saws, the two labored to you achieve a relaxing, romantic or active getaway – trapping, hunting, farming and fi shing. clear steep, heavily forested hills with thrilling vertical drops. whichever you prefer. Again this year, we’ll have a full As travelers passed through the area, they found refuge In 1948, the Nelsons proudly opened Lutsen Mountains slate of complimentary outdoor activities and amenities in the Nelson’s home. Many stayed on, building a small with two runs, “Hari-Kari” and “Chickadee,” and a single for you to enjoy. And great winter deals too. town in the process. As the settlement grew, Nelson drew rope tow powered by a Ford V-8 engine. The holidays are time to refl ect and thank those who inspiration for the fl edgling town’s name from the Prussian The 1960s saw the addition of new chairlifts and have made our progress possible. We wish you and site of a battle in which Gustavus Adolphus, king of snowmaking equipment. In the 1970s, the Olympics came yours the very, very best this holiday season and into Sweden, lost his life: Lutsen. to town in the form of Cindy Nelson, George Jr.’s daughter. the New Year. Happy Holidays! Happy Winter! Fast forward 50 years, three children and several Originally trained by her father on the Lutsen slopes, Cindy Sincerely, grandchildren to 1945 and the return of Charles’ grandson, competed in three Olympics, earning a bronze medal in Dennis Rysdahl George Jr., from World War II. Having seen combat in downhill skiing in Innsbruck’s 1976 games, won a silver General Manager Italy with the 10th Mountain Division Ski Troop and only medal in the World Championships and won several World the nineteenth person to be certifi ed by the Southern Cup races. And with each medal, Lutsen’s reputation as a Rocky Mountain Division of Ski Instructors, George was premier ski destination grew. Sounds of the Season Now at Bluefin Grille A decade of continued improvements It’s no secret the North Shore is home to some of the very best snow in the Midwest. And in a winter wonderland like this, it’s easy to spend an entire vacation outdoors. But one of the area’s •2003-2004 New Bridge Run Bridge •2007-2008 Winch Cat & 2 Pisten Bully Snowcats best-kept secrets is indoors – live music from local artists at Bluefi n Grille! • More Snowmaking Expansions • Beginner Conveyor Lift • New Events Bureau sponsors nightly entertainment, Beginning in early January, join us for live music 2004-2005 activities, festivals, and concerts in the Bluefi n Grille by our ever-growing roster of • New Bridge Run Bridge talented local musicians. On Wednesdays and • More Snowmaking Expansions Fridays, you’ll be treated to the soulful tunes of •2008-2009 10 Super Polecat Snowguns • Spectacular new Moose Mountain Summit Chalet local singer-songwriters. On Sundays, unwind to • “The Plunge” Mid-America’s steepest groomed run the sounds of soothing classical music. And on • More Snowmaking Guns re-opened New Year’s Eve, guests will be treated to a fun and festive musical celebration from 10 pm to 1 • New Luxury Suites & Registration Building •2006-2007 Scandinavian Chalet Restoration am! Be sure to check www.bluefi nbay.com for a at Eagle Ridge • Mystery Mountain Terrain Park continually updated schedule of artists. • Environmental Project, Lower Poplar River 2 Lutsen Mountains was now poised for great oasis at the summit of Moose Mountain; ski- expansion. In 1980, the Nelsons sold Lutsen in/ ski-out lodging; more than 30 new runs, Mountains to Charlie Skinner, a ski industry three new lifts, fi ve new terrain parks and pioneer, snow gun inventor and advisor to are continually expanding snowmaking and many Western ski areas on snowmaking grooming capabilities. technology. In less than twenty years, this Today, Lutsen Mountains is Mid-America’s Midwest skiing visionary more than doubled largest and tallest ski resort, with 92 runs Lutsen Mountains’ skiable terrain and oversaw stretching across 1,000 skiable acres and the installation of the Midwest’s only gondola. a 1,088 foot vertical rise on four sprawling, When Charlie’s son, Charles, and son-in- spectacular mountains; 10 lifts, including the law, Tom Rider, purchased the ski area in Midwest’s only gondola; fi ve restaurants; and Rolling Out the White 1999, the two embarked on an ambitious the most spectacular skiing scenery in the expansion plan aimed at creating a complete Midwest. Carpet for Winter Fun resort experience. They soon launched Papa We’re head-over-skis for winter on the North Shore. In fact, we think our And the best part, it’s all right in Bluefi n Bay’s Charlie’s, one of Minnesota’s favorite music snow is some of the very best in the Midwest. And staying at the Bluefi n Bay back yard. ❄ venues; the Summit Chalet, an opulent skier Family of Resorts puts you steps away from everything there is worth seeing and doing during a snowy North Shore season. Along with our fantastic Ski & Stay packages, close proximity to Lutsen Mountains and “ahhh-pres ski” What’s new at Lutsen Mountains in 2012 services at the North Shore’s only destination spa, Waves of Superior Spa, check out some of our fun winter offerings below and be sure to visit There’s no doubt: Lutsen Mountains is the largest, tallest, best ski resort www.bluefi nbay.com for more details! in the Midwest and it just keeps getting better year after year. Check out this season’s updates and upgrades: • Cross-country skiing: Check out complimentary cross-country ski equipment and explore the area trails at your leisure or join one of our • Phase one of a $5 million snowmaking expansion begins guided excursions to Oberg Mountain or Britton Peak. • New pedestrian courtyard and village streetscape at the gondola base area • Waxing table for cross-country skis: Make sure your personal skis are • Improved skier parking near Ski Hill Road properly waxed before hitting the trails! • Initiations of Poplar River conservation project on Ullr Mountain, allowing for reduced • Snowshoeing: Explore the great North Woods with our complimentary sediment fl ow into the river from the ski hill while maintaining snowmaking operations snowshoe rental. Ask for a trail map at Guest Services or join one of our • One of Papa Charlie’s most exciting line-ups of après-ski guides for a tour of the tranquil, snowy forest. bands and entertainment • Ice skating on-site at Bluefi n Bay and Surfside. • Rinkside campfi re and complimentary s’mores on weekends (by request on weekdays). • Fun kids’ activities & crafts (weekends). • Yoga (weekends; all skill levels welcome) • Daily complimentary shuttles to area trailheads and Lutsen Mountains: Shuttles leave Bluefi n on the hour starting at 9am with last pick-up at Lutsen at 4:45pm. Ski & Stay Packages & • Live music at the Bluefi n Grille on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. •2009-2010 New Entrance Road & Paved Curbside Parking Free Shuttle Service The following activities are offered for a fee and advance reservations are • Pedestrian Bridge, Lighting & As a reminder, the Bluefi n Bay Family recommended. Contact Guest Services for more information: Sidewalks of Resorts – Bluefi n Bay, Surfside, and • Dog sledding Temperance Landing – offers Ski & Stay • “10th Mountain” Chairlift • Horse-drawn sleigh rides Packages that can be booked on our respective websites. Visit bluefi nbay.com • Snowmobile rental and guided snowmobile tours •2010-2012 New Moose Mountain Terrain Park and click on the resort of your choice in the upper right hand corner. • 2 Progression Terrain Parks • Mystery Mountain Boarder X Course Ski Packages and lodging specials are under the Specials & Packages tab. We • Expanded snowmaking on “The Plunge” also offer free daily shuttles to and from the • 1200 New Rental Skis, Boards & Boots mountain making it easier for you to plan • 3 New Backcountry Runs your winter ski vacation at Bluefi n Bay.