Alpine celebration honorees Clockwise from top: Cindy Nelson, Patti Nelson, Charles Skinner, Sr, and George Nelson.
In October, the first Head of the Lakes Alpine Celebration was held at the Spirit Mountain Recreation Center. Recognized at the event were Sue Hansen, George, Patti and Cindy Nelson and Charles Skinner Sr.
A committee of 17 ski enthusiasts from the Duluth area coordinated the event which included honoring individuals who made a difference in the alpine industry as early as the late 1940s.
Cindy Nelson was co-master of ceremonies for the event. She introduced the award recipients of the evening in the following areas: Patrollers, Racing/Competing, Instructors and Pioneers.
Cindy was honored for her excellence in alpine ski racing. At the age of two, her love of skiing developed at the ski hill owned and operated by her family. She first entered the ranks of international ski racing in 1971. Her career ran from 1971-1985 and is highlighted by four Olympic and four World Championship team berths, where she won three World Championships and two Olympic medals. She brought world recognition to Midwest skiing and put Lutsen on the map.
Photos by Lee Bergstrom
Patti Nelson has lived her life on skis. Patti and George owned and operated Lutsen Resort. The Lutsen Ski Area opened in 1948 and Patti began her teaching career in 1951. She was a PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) Certified Instructor. Patti was active not only teaching others to ski, but spent a great deal of time on the mountain with her five children who were avid skiers. Her daughter Cindy was a twotime medalist for the USA Olympic Alpine Ski Team.
George Nelson Jr. made his first downhill run in 1926 at the age of 11. He broke the skis…this started a historical chain of events that changed many lives for decades to come. In 1943, at the age of 18, George volunteered for the U.S. Army Ski Troops 10th Mountain Division. During his time in training and in combat, George had the dream of converting the family’s summer resort into a year-round ski/summer resort. In 1948 the Lutsen Ski Area opened along the shores of Lake Superior. Under George’s leadership, Lutsen grew to become a premier destination resort. George Nelson Sr. once told his son, “Lutsen has been good to the Nelsons… the Nelsons must be good to Lutsen.”
Sue Hansen was recognized for her contributions as a PSIA certified ski instructor. She spent 36 years teaching at the Lutsen Ski Area/Lutsen Mountains. She was twice chosen by Skiing
Magazine
(1995-1996) as one of the “Top 100 Ski Instructors” in the nation.
In 1976, she was on the committee that created the “Cindy Nelson Award.” Thisis an awargiven to one male and female graduate from Cook County High School who embraces the characteristics for the motto: “A Sound Body – A Sound Mind – Supports a Sound Life.”
Charles Skinner Sr. in the 1940s walked up the hills of Glenwood Park in Minneapolis only to ski down them. After service in the Korean War as a pilot, Charlie spent several years on the East Coast overseeing ski areas and recreational projects. In 1980, he purchased the Lutsen Ski Area from the Nelsons. With the opening of new terrain, Charlie more than doubled the chair lift capacity of Lutsen, including a mile-long gondola to Moose Mountain. Charlie paved the way for an increase in skier visits. With increased skier visits the need arose for increased lodging requirements. It was Charlie’s insight that led to the continued growth and success of Lutsen Mountain as we know it today.
A total of 30 people were honored for their contributions to the alpine ski industry in the Head of the Lakes region.
The evening began with a social gathering with an opportunity to view displays of retro ski wear and equipment, old photographs from Spirit Mountain, Mont du Lac, a video from the 10th Mountain Division, and a variety of other ski memorabilia. This was also an evening where generations of ski families and friends were able to reunite and reminisce about the good old days on the hill.
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