Superior Ridge Resort owners reflect on the past 30 years and the upcoming purchase by Lutsen Mountains

Many entrepreneurial ideas often begin with scribbled text and drawings on scrap pieces of paper. And that is precisely how Superior Ridge Resort in Schroeder, Minn., started. 

“It started way back in September of 1990. Sheryl and I went on a short honeymoon up the North Shore,” Bruce Martinson, long-time owner-operator of Superior Ridge Resort, said. 

Bruce and Sheryl Martinson visited the North Shore on their honeymoon in 1990 and soon discovered the difficulties in finding lodging. “I got really interested in it,” Bruce Martinson said. He then began jotting down notes and sketches on pieces of paper and shortly after started reaching out to a contractor friend, John Murphy. 

After they returned home from the honeymoon, Sheryl said, “I started seeing these little drawings around the house and little scrap papers.” 

“Honestly, I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Sheryl Martinson said. “But it all turned out well.”

Three years after the honeymoon, Bruce and Sheryl Martinson, along with minority owners John and Sherry Murphy, bought land from long-time Tofte residents Jerry and Diane Loh and founded Superior Ridge Resort in 1993. 

Throughout the past 30 years, the Martinson’s built condo and motel units, a studio apartment, a meeting room, a sauna, and a ski wax room. In addition, they built an owners’ residence where they raised their three children, Ryan, Kyle, and Alyssa.

“I’m glad we had the opportunity to raise them within this community,” Bruce Martinson said. 

In mid-January, the Martinson’s announced they were selling Superior Ridge Resort to Lutsen Mountains. The decision to sell the business has been culminating for a few years, Bruce Martinson said. However, it wasn’t until August of 2022 that the Martinson’s decided it was officially time to sell.

With continued work staff shortages, Sheryl’s recent retirement from teaching at Birch Grove Community School, and Bruce nearing 65 years of age, it seemed an appropriate time for the couple to step away from the business. 

“I’ve been kind of nagging; I guess, a little bit the last few years and talking about it,” Sheryl Martinson said. “We wanted to wait until the children were out on their own and doing their own thing.”

The Martinson’s are excited to pass their family-owned business to Lutsen Mountains, another family-owned business. “I had a real warm spot in my heart for Lutsen (Mountains). Two of our three kids were on ski teams and spent a lot of time at Lutsen Mountains,” Sheryl Martinson said. 

“It feels quite natural to me to have them take over,” she added.

Bruce Martinson echoed his wife’s sentiments,” I feel good about it. They’re going to take care of the property. Not let it run down.” 

While Lutsen Mountains agreed to purchase Superior Ridge Resort, the sale will not be finalized until May. The Martinson’s will continue to operate the resort through the winter with a transition to operation by Lutsen Mountains following the sale.

Charles Skinner, president and owner of Lutsen Mountains, said, “We’re very happy to provide a solution for them to retire and hand over the business and to stay locally owned and operated.”

Skinner said that Lutsen Mountains had actively been searching to purchase a property on Highway 61. “We’ve always wanted to have a presence on the highway,” he said. Once Lutsen Mountains discovered Superior Ridge Resort was for sale, Skinner said it was a perfect fit. “We think that’s a good synergy for us.”

The next three months will be busy for both businesses as the Martinson’s prepare to hand over the family business. Lutsen Mountains said it intends to maintain similar operations and retain the existing staff at Superior Ridge Resort. “We don’t have any particular really big changes planned,” Skinner said. 

“I’m just very proud to participate in helping them move on to exciting retirement and being able to spend time with family and friends and their kids in particular,” Skinner added. 

Bruce and Sheryl Martinson shared they intend to stay in Cook County long-term. They have purchased property on the west end and are currently building a home. While the Martinson’s plan to take some time to travel and relax, Sheryl said, “You know, I don’t plan to sit in a rocking chair for the next few years.” 

She added, “We’ll see what comes next. Hopefully, there’ll be some activities or volunteer involvement. We look forward to exploring that and finding some new interests.”

Bruce Martinson shared he is looking forward to the future and is appreciative of the Cook County community, “I would like to also thank the entire community for being with us in our journey here the last 30 years. For the kindness shown to Sheryl, myself, and the kids and for helping us raise our three kids in this environment.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Bruce and Sheryl Martinson, owner-operators of Superior Ridge Resort, and Charles Skinner, president and owner of Lutsen Mountains, about the upcoming purchase and to reflect on the past 30 years. Audio from the interviews is below. 

Kalli Hawkins February 5, 2023