Established in 1965, Team Duluth, formerly known as the Duluth Alpine Club, is celebrating 60 years of dedication to cultivating alpine skiing as a life-long sport. During the 2025-26 season, Team Duluth will showcase some of the club members who’ve left a lasting impact on Team Duluth.

Scott Burns joined the Duluth Alpine Club at age six in 1981. The youngest of three, Scott’s siblings, Morgan and Nicole, paved the way for him to race and form lifelong friendships at a young age. “I built amazing ski friendships,” said Burns. “It was easy to bond on cold nights on the hill during a time when frostbite was acceptable.”

Burns raced with the Duluth Alpine Club for ten years, earning the USSA. Junior Olympic Championship at Vale, Colo, at age 14. Burns also skied for Duluth East High School where he placed third in the Minnesota State Alpine Meet during his freshman and sophomore year.  Burns transferred to the Burke Mountain Academy, Vt where he raced and completed high school., then went on to Dartmouth College, N.H., where he raced at the Division 1 level.

Burns has many fond memories from his Duluth Alpine Club era, but a favorite comes from a moment with his former coach, Scott “Race” Ransom. I had just finished a breakthrough run at a race in Mich., when Coach Ransom said “In all the coaching I’ve given you, I guess I should have just said go faster. Today you did.”

“My time with the Duluth Alpine Club enabled me to train in the USSA development system and get a great education,” said Burns.

Today, Burns is active within the Afton Alps Alpine Race Club, where his two sons have both raced. Liam is a U16 with Afton.  His oldest son, Caden, earned the Minnesota State Alpine Champion distinction in 2025 as a senior with the St. Paul Academy.  Caden is now attending Williams College, Mass., and will race for their NCAA Division 1 Alpine Team.

Reflecting on his time with the Duluth Alpine Club, Burns recalls that “Coach Ransom never over-coached. He (Ransom) showed me that less can be more,” which is something Burns reflects on in his role at Afton and as a parent.  Burns serves as a race official, race organizer, and parent volunteer. He’s a USSS certified timer and chief of race.

Although he has roots with a different alpine club, Burns still finds time to support Team Duluth. “Scott has been an exceptional mentor to me throughout the years,” said Team Duluth President, Katie Hughes. “His deep knowledge of the ski industry and the support he has offered Team Duluth over the years has been invaluable.”

The Duluth Alpine Club was founded in 1965 by Wes Neustel, Don Salo, Paul Vesterstein, George Hovland, Melvin Cohen, P.A. Briglia, John Haavik, William Atmore and others. Team Duluth is one of ten clubs in Minnesota devoted to alpine skiing as a life-long sport and participating in USSA and FIS programs. Several years ago, D/SAC transitioned into Team Duluth.

Spirit Mountain became our home hill and primary training facility in 1979.