One of my favorite places to visit in northern Minnesota is the Iron Range and one of my favorite towns on “the range” is Biwabik. Often, people would ask me where I was going and I’d say,
“Biwabik,”
“Where?” They would say, with a quizzical look.
“Biwabik.”
“Bi-what?”
“Biwabik,”
“Where’s that?”
“About 10 miles east of Virginia.”
“Ooohhh.”
I had finally connected.
Maybe for those who enjoy the ski slopes, two of the top ranked golf courses not only in the state, but also the nation (The Quarry and The Legend), the 1,200 acre OHV (off highway vehicle) recreation area, the feral beauty of the St. Louis River, the pristine lakes, the winding and scenic 110 mile Mesabi Trail, the towering white pines, and the outstanding hunting and fishing it’s better being a little unknown. But for those who haven’t experienced the finest the state of Minnesota has to offer, it’s certainly time to get to know this unique part of the state.
Biwabik means “valuable” in Ojibwe and although the “value” originally came from the rich veins of iron ore it obviously has much more “value” to offer in the way of recreation and enjoyment.
On my last visit to Biwabik, I had the privilege of staying at The Lodge at Giants Ridge, a towering edifice of Northwoods grandeur. The entry is framed by massive logs that give The Lodge a feeling of rustic warmth and solidity. Fortunately, the feeling doesn’t end at the entry way, as the theme is carried throughout the entire structure.
The Lodge at Giants Ridge was first built in 1999. In May of 2005 Koch Building and Development purchased The Lodge from Hotel Capital Partners. It was at this time that the property went through its renaissance. From 2005-2008 The Lodge went through an estimated six million dollar renovation. During the renovation substantial soundproofing upgrades were made, along with a complete face-lift.
The Lodge at Giants Ridge now houses sixty-seven well decorated, oversized, ski in/out condos with amazing twelve foot ceilings and full kitchenettes. The condos range in size from the one bedroom option, which can sleep up to four, to the super suite that can sleep up to fourteen. Many of the suites are complete with fireplaces and hot tubs, which can be a welcome feature when you come in from the slopes, or simply a nice feature to spark a little romance. If you love your family and want to hang with them, yet value a little privacy as well, the two bedroom suites are complete with lockouts and separate entrances. After all, romance may become difficult with the in-laws invading your space. In many respects it seems that the renovation of The Lodge was the final key to making the whole of the Giants Ridge area the attraction that it is today.
Not only are the accommodations superb, the amenities are amazing. I had the privilege of touring the entire facility and speaking with the Spa Manager, Mick Wudinich, an Eveleth native who used to work driving the large mining trucks and now talks passionately about creating the ultimate spa experience for the guests of The Lodge. LaRidge Spa and Salon is not what people would expect to find in Biwabik, MN. It is what you would expect to find in downtown Minneapolis, with special attention paid to the interior details; soft lighting, earth tones, and cozy temperatures. At this Aveda concept salon and spa you can get manicures, pedicures, updos, color treatments, and deep tissue massages (basically anything your heart desires in the way of pampering).
There are two restaurants on premise, Timbers, and Sticks Lounge. Timbers offers a fine dining experience and Sticks offers a more casual bar/restaurant atmosphere with live music. The Lodge also boasts more than 7,000 square feet of flexible function space. They are more than willing and capable of making your wedding or event a smashing success.
In speaking with Jim Koch, Principal and General Manager, he told me of another enticing aspect of The Lodge. “There is a mixture of ownership opportunities available throughout the resort area, from condominiums to villas to single family residences. There are even some fractional opportunities available through private owners.” Fractionals have become more popular in recent years because of their affordability and the ability to have the real estate managed to produce income when the owner is not using the property. In past conversations with Jim it became apparent that giving people a chance to own a piece of the resort property had always been a part of his vision. “People want to own and build equity,” he told me. “We want to build a community, people who regularly come back and feel that they are part of the process, which they are.” It’s something Jim calls the “Giants Ridge family.”
The great thing about this family is that the members don’t have a chance to get bored. This is a true four season resort. Whether a person is 5 or 85 there is always something to do any time of year. In the winter the younger generation may be enjoying the “# 1 Terrain Park” (SKI Magazine), while their parents and grandparents ski or enjoy the hot tub. In the spring the whole family may rent some kayaks and enjoy the trip down the St Louis River, or maybe some members of the family want to get out and enjoy that first round of Golf. Whether it’s spring, summer, or fall you can enjoy plenty of fishing right outside your door. Giants Ridge is located just off the shores of Wynne Lake which is part of a six lake flowage that also includes Sabin, Embarrass, Cedar Island, Fourth, and Esquagama. In the fall make sure to take in the colors. Bring or rent a bike and travel the Mesabi Trail. Of course there is great ruffed grouse hunting in the area and plenty of public land to walk. Now we’re back to winter and the 2,000 miles of snowmobiling right outside your door and the best cross country trails in the state. So much to do, so little time.
In case all the aforementioned activities are not enough for you, Giants Ridge is located right in the heart of the iron range and gives you quick access to so many of the areas other activities. You are less than an hour from both Duluth and Ely, in case you wanted to take a day trip to do some shopping. Lake Vermilion, with its walleyes and large muskies, is a mere 20 minutes away, as is Fortune Bay, which has live entertainment and another of Minnesota’s top golf courses. There is also the Soudan mine where you can ride a rail car 2,341 feet below the surface of the earth, Mineview in the Sky where you can a panoramic view of the Rouchleau group of mines, and the Minnesota Museum of Mining where you can learn more about Minnesota’s rich mining history, all of which are within a half hour of Biwabik.
I don’t believe there is another part of the state that offers such a bucolic setting yet still has access to so many modern conveniences. It seems like you are in the middle of nowhere, with woods, lakes, river and wildlife surrounding you, yet you can enjoy all the comforts of home and then some. This is a special place, enjoyed by those who know of it. So, plan a trip and get to know this special area. While you are there, make sure to enjoy the outstanding accommodations that The Lodge at Giants Ridge has to offer.
