Ann Glumac departs Spirit Mountain after turnaround, high note

Ann Glumac’s departure from Spirit Mountain closed a chapter that helped steady one of Duluth’s most visible public assets, but it did not close the book on the hill’s finances. The City of Duluth’s 2026 budget still includes a $0.40 million operating subsidy from tourism taxes, a reminder that the next director inherits a property that has improved but still depends on public support.

That matters well beyond the ski runs above the skyline. The Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Authority was created on May 18, 1973, with a mission to serve local residents and tourists, support northeastern Minnesota’s economy, preserve the environment and keep operating costs covered through revenue. City planning materials describe Spirit Mountain as a premiere four-season outdoor adventure recreation center, which is why leadership changes there draw attention across St. Louis County and Duluth alike.

Glumac took over during a rough period, when the city was still trying to stabilize the hill’s long-term finances and address aging infrastructure. In July 2020, Mayor Emily Larson appointed a 16-member Spirit Mountain task force to develop recommendations for long-term financial stability and repairs. By March 2021, that group had produced a 250-page report, with at-large councilor Arik Forsman and Councilor Janet Kennedy helping guide the effort. Forsman’s role was especially significant because he co-chaired the task force process, giving him a direct hand in the push to put Spirit Mountain on firmer ground.

The city’s next step was a proposed $24 million capital reinvestment program announced on May 6, 2021. The financing plan called for 50% state bonding, 25% city tourism taxes and 25% Spirit Mountain. City officials said the improvements would lift Spirit Mountain’s annual economic impact from $22 million to $39.9 million, add 205 jobs and push total employment on the property to more than 500. They also said annual visitation could rise by 50,000, to 300,000 visitors a year, and that the city would negotiate a 10-year inter-agency agreement with the Spirit Mountain board.

The physical rebuild was already underway. The Nordic Center opened on Dec. 11, 2018, with phase I adding 2.5 kilometers of trail, including 1.5 kilometers capable of snowmaking. Phase II was underway in 2024 and included a connector trail, 800 meters of new trail, plus snowmaking and lighting. Mountain bike trail construction also began in 2024, supported by Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission legacy grant funding.

That leaves the next director with a stronger platform than the one Glumac inherited, but not a finished job. Spirit Mountain has moved from crisis management toward a four-season growth strategy, yet its budget still shows public money in the mix and its future still depends on turning capital plans into durable operating results.