Please click on the following two items to view the Master Plan Outline and Master Plan Maps. Please note that the Map file is 3.97 MB so it may take a moment to open.

2008 Master Plan Outline

Master Plan Maps

Development of a long-term master plan to greatly enhance the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) as a four-seasons resort is nearly complete! We held an Open House for the public on June 25th where the community was invited to review and comment. We took all feedback into consideration and made some minor revisions before the SMRA Board of Directors unanimously approved the new Master Plan. You can see the final version by clicking on the links above. The Master Plan will now proceed through the final approval stages over the summer and we hope to begin implementation in late 2008. We thank everyone who has been a part of this exciting process!

The detailed plan includes elements ranging from improvements to snowmaking equipment, lifts and other infrastructure and accessibility enhancements, adding a second chalet along Grand Avenue to better link Spirit Mountain to West Duluth, and many new recreational opportunities. Other eventual additions being planned are new ski runs and a tubing hill for wintertime, as well as “zip line” and “alpine coaster” rides, a mountain bike park and trails, and more for summertime uses.

"When we asked the public for input at the start of this planning process in October, they responded with more than 200 ideas for making their recreation area even better,” said Renee’ Mattson, Spirit Mountain’s executive director. “Since then we’ve weighed those ideas against such things as financial viability, demographics and other factors, to ensure that both Duluth residents and visitors enjoy the very best experience they can at Spirit Mountain. A lot of analysis was done related to recreation trends, environmental considerations, economic impact on Duluth, potential for complementary private development and much more. The result is what we think is a very do-able plan."

Parts of the master plan could be implemented in the near future – such as enhancements to snowmaking capabilities – while others might not come to fruition for 10 to 20 years.

Spirit Mountain already serves hundreds of thousands of people year-round, and creates more than $30 million of annual economic impact for the Duluth area, but we have many great opportunities for doing even more. Once every aspect of the master plan is implemented, it will have cost about $40 million spread out over perhaps 20 years. Most of these additions will be paid by substantial new revenues generated by people using the tubing hill, zip line, alpine coaster and so on. Best of all, any remaining expenses will be covered by the existing tourism taxes Spirit Mountain receives – not by Duluth taxpayers.

The next steps related to the master plan are to revise and finalize the plan for approval by the SMRA Board of Directors, the Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission, the Duluth Planning Commission, and the Duluth City Council. Then in late 2008, plan implementation will begin.

“This is the first master planning effort of this scope in Spirit Mountain’s 34-year history, and it’s been gratifying to receive so many great ideas from the community,” said Mattson. “We’re excited to now put the plan into motion.”

If you have comments regarding the Spirit Mountain Master Plan, you can email them to masterplan@spiritmt.com .