Lutsen Mountains Ski Area Expansion Project and the SHTA’s Position Statement
In April of 2020, SHTA submitted a proposed reroute of the SHT and formal comment to USFS (see attached April 2020 Public Comment). In summary, the SHTA requested that the project not move forward until an acceptable route could be identified and approved, and that an agreement between the SHTA, Lutsen Mountains, and the U.S. Forest Service regarding the payment and construction of that route was in place before proceeding. This has not happened.
Superior Hiking Trail Association’s position has not changed. The SHTA firmly believes that our users’ experience will be greatly diminished under both Alternatives 2 and 3. If the project is to proceed, SHTA wishes to relocate the SHT off the active ski area with the cost of the relocation to be covered by Lutsen Mountains. Counter to the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), SHTA views staying in place as a non-viable option and the EIS falsely characterizes a sustainable cohabitation of the alpine ski facilities and hiking trails.
For further information about our position and the project, visit the links below.
Full Position Statement: Lutsen Mountains Expansion Draft Environmental Impact Statement
SHTA’s April 2020 Public Comment on the Lutsen Expansion
We are reaffirming our original comments submitted on April 2020, “SHTA would request that the project not move forward until an acceptable route can be identified and approved, and that an agreement between the SHTA, Lutsen Mountains, and the U.S. Forest Service regarding the payment and construction of that route be in place before proceeding.“