Established in 1965, Team Duluth, formerly known as the Duluth Alpine Club, is celebrating 60 years dedicated to introducing 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 “Potter” Neustel was one of the Duluth Superior Alpine Club’s original members, joining at the age of seven, in 1965. DSAC, now known as Team Duluth, “was more of an introduction to skiing in the early years,” said Neustel. “We had the Holiday Camp and a few races at Mont du Lac”.

“After a few seasons with DSAC, the Salo family heard about the U.S. Ski Association (USSA),” said Neustel. “No Minnesota hills had USSA-sanctioned races, but the Upper Peninsula of Michigan had several.” As a result, several families including the Neustels, Salo’s, and Veterstein’s started traveling to the U.P. for USSA races. Neustel credits Don Salo for getting Spirit Mountain homologated.

Neustel had a distinguished racing career which included much success with DSAC, helping Duluth Central to the Minnesota State High School League state meet each year he was in high school. He was among the first racers to compete in the Atmore Memorial Race in the late 1970s. The Atmore is a premier FIS slalom race in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Central Division.  Neustel raced at the NCAA-level at the University of Minnesota - Duluth for four years then went on to race in the Peugeot Pro Midwest professional ski league.

Neustel was on break from the Peugeot Pro and at Mont du Lac when Coach Ransom had a coach not show up. Neustel said he’d help Coach Ransom for the day. Helping coach for a day, led to 20+ seasons of coaching.

Neustel, the son of one of the DSAC founders and board members, Wes Neustel, not only raced and coached for the DSAC, but was a parent to racers, David and Hannah. His ties to the alpine race community continue. “Our family business - Ski Hut, founded by Wes Neustel in 1955, has always believed in ski racing,” said Neustel. “Not all ski shops carry race gear, but our family has a lot of pride in being racers, coaches, and parents involved with the DSAC. Now, David, the third generation of Neustels to run Ski Hut, is supporting racing by ensuring quality gear is available.”

Although David (Neustel) is running Ski Hut, Scott continues to make alpine skiing a life-long sport. He plans the annual Ski Hut trip to Bridger Bowl, Bozeman, Montana, every February.

When asked if he views himself more as a racer or coach, Neustel said “I view myself more as a skier than a racer or coach. Teaching kids to ski is addictive,”: he added. “I often worked with younger athletes with less experience. So many of the kids I’ve coached have grown up to be outstanding adults.” 

The Duluth Alpine Club was founded in 1965 by Scott’s dad, 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.