Lutsen Mountains hosts International Ski and Snowboard Federation races

Lutsen Mountains will host the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for the next four days, where participants will race to earn World Cup points. 

Jim Vick, the general manager and marketing director at Lutsen Mountains, said, “It’s become an important race on their circuit.”

Vick said Lutsen Mountains has hosted the annual event for the past three decades. “We have folks from all over the country and even some from around the world who will come to continue to earn their World Cup points at this event.”

Vick said approximately 150-280 racers will participate to earn World Cup points. Many international racers travel from Poland, Sweden, Austria, Japan, and Jamaica. “So they’re participating and training in the U.S. while still belonging to their own national team,” Vick said. 

The event starts today with women’s and men’s giant slalom races. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, slalom skiing will take place. 

Vick said that despite the mild winter conditions, the ski hill has a solid base of man-made snow. The slalom races will primarily occur on Moose Mountain and Caribou Run. 

Spectators are welcome to watch the event, but Vick said accessing it without a pair of skis would be challenging. 

WTIP’s CJ Heithoff spoke with Jim Vick, the general manager and marketing director at Lutsen Mountains, about the upcoming event. The audio from the interview is below. 

Kalli Hawkins March 21, 2024