BusinessNorth: The winter that wasn’t

The fire that destroyed the historic Lutsen Resort last month was devastating. Fortunately, no one was booked there that night. That lack of guests in the middle of the North Shore region’s usually busy winter season was telling, a prime example of how this has been the winter that wasn’t.

In January, the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race were cancelled because of lack of snow. The Beargrease event usually attracts hundreds of spectators. About 60 mushers (and hundreds of dogs) were set for three different races, the 40-, 120- and 300-mile marquee event, according to Kirk Weber, a member of Beargrease’s board. All participants will have a choice of getting a full refund or using this year’s registration fee for next year’s race. Corporate sponsors’ funds from this year will be honored next year.

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