Duluth, MN – Work is underway at Spirit Mountain to replace its largest chairlift and construct a new base lodge on Grand Avenue, enhancing access from the northern Minnesota city of Duluth to this popular ski and snowboard resort.

With a second entry to complement the resort’s existing mountaintop chalet, Duluth skiers will now be able to ride city buses to the base of the ski area. Until now, visitors to Spirit Mountain arrived via the nearby community of Proctor.

“Creating a new front door to Spirit Mountain from the Spirit Valley neighborhood has been talked about for decades, and now it’s finally going to happen,” said Duluth mayor Don Ness. “These improvements will not only help Spirit Mountain increase its already significant economic impact on our community, they will be a cornerstone of our efforts to create new economic development opportunities along the St. Louis River Corridor.”

It is estimated that Spirit Mountain already contributes $37 million annually to the northern Minnesota economy.

The new chairlift currently under construction replaces Spirit Mountain’s Spirit Express high-speed detachable quad, built in 1986. It’s the first new lift to go in at Spirit since 1989. The new lift’s loading terminal will be relocated slightly downhill and to looker’s right of the previous lift.

This summer’s developments are part of Phase II of Spirit Mountain’s Master Plan, approved in 2008. The new lift is expected to be completed in time for the fall foliage season, while the new base lodge should welcome its first guests by January.