Behind the Scenes of a Resort Renovation
By Sarah Bestul
Alongside the vast freshwater sea
of Lake Superior sits Minnesota ’ s
North Shore , beloved by hikers , campers , and nature enthusiasts for its wild , rocky shoreline and beautiful boreal forests . If you follow scenic Highway 61 along the shoreline for two hours north of the vibrant port city of Duluth , you ’ ll come straight to Lutsen , a small yet popular outpost where visitors flock all seasons to enjoy the scenery , wildlife , and attractions such as the Lutsen Alpine Slide in the summer , the gondola connecting ridges that allows spectacular views of the fall foliage , and , most famously , skiing in the winter .
High up in the Sawtooth Range , the area has more than 95 runs over four mountains and has been a favorite winter getaway spot for generations . The Eagle Ridge resort has been part of that since 1994 . Originally decorated in a woodsy , traditional cabin style , owner Tom Rider felt it was time for an update .
“ The old look was not so good ,” he chuckled . “ The units were dated . It looked like something you ’ d expect from a small midwestern hotel chain – popcorn ceilings , older furnishings , and out of style lighting . Everything looked worn out .”
But updating the resort ’ s six buildings wasn ’ t as simple as tossing the moosethemed comforters , nor was it a normal hotel renovation : most hotels don ’ t have clientele in ski boots coming through six months out of the year . www . AyresAssociates . com 15