Fresh powder is enough to make any snow bunny call off their plans and head to the slopes. And no powder is fresher than the newly reopened Detroit Mountain in Detroit Lakes. The trail to its grand opening, however, was rather rocky.
The family owned ski site was in their possession for more than 50 years, but due to unsuccessful funding in 2004, the operation shut down. Since then, community leaders have discussed numerous strategies to reestablish the mountain and eventually launched the nonprofit Bring Back Detroit Mountain. Donations and business sponsorships have primarily funded the venture. It took 10 years of smart budgeting and construction, but just this November the Detroit Lakes hotspot opened its doors to the public. And it is better than ever.
Featuring a terrain park, tubing hill, and cross-country ski trails, all experience levels have plenty to do on the mountain, including taking lessons from one of the variety of instructors on staff. If it gets too chilly, the renovated lodge boasts a stocked café and saloon offering beer and wine. Detroit Mountain won’t just be for snow junkies, though. Plans are in the works to make this a year-round recreational facility; mountain biking and hiking trails are being engineered to serve the community during the spring and summer months. With so much to do, the revitalized Detroit Mountain is the perfect getaway for all ages, interests, and experience levels.