1. Artful Living | Spring 2011 145
Cabin Living Transformed
The past meets the present at Trapper’s Landing Lodge. | BY LORI STORM
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B
efore long, the words “up north” and “cabin” will creep
back into everyday conversation. It’s only a matter of time
before the summer ritual of heading to the lake becomes a
reality. For many, it’s a return to the tired, outdated cabin
that’s not exactly “home sweet home.” But what if you
could experience the best of cabin living with luxury accommodations?
You’ll find that getaway at Trapper’s Landing Lodge on Leech Lake,
just a few hours northwest of the Twin Cities. The vacation destination
opened in 2007 with the option to buy or rent homes year-round.
Trapper’s Landing is one of four family resorts developed and managed
by Odyssey Companies.
“I don’t think people of our generation have any interest in going
up to a 35- or 45-year-old cabin with linoleum floors, leaks and just
one bathroom,” says Bob Ryan, owner of Odyssey Development
and Managing Partner of Trapper’s Landing. “The key here is luxury
accommodations, but you also get the older, northern Minnesota
experience. That’s the bull’s-eye that people are looking for.”
Old-Fashioned Fun
Remember the days of eating breakfast in your bathing suit? You
couldn’t wait to get out the door and dive into the water. Those days
are back. Lake living at Trapper’s Landing means a myriad of outdoor
activities and an endless supply of s’mores. (Yes, free s’mores!) You
can rent boats and Jet Skis or take advantage of guided fishing tours
on Minnesota’s fourth largest lake. The 51-slip marina is the meeting
place for complimentary tubing and water-skiing. Vacationers can also
check out paddleboats, kayaks, canoes and bikes at no cost. There’s a
sandy swimming beach and even a sauna for a quick warm-up. One
of the most popular hangouts happens to be the pool, which features
a snack bar. Pampering is also part of the package. Guests can sign up
for a soothing massage or just lie idle by the shore. And get this: there’s
a free, three-hour kids’ camp where little ones can enjoy face painting,
arts and crafts and games.
“Kids roam here. We want fun, and we want a lot of it,” says Shelly
Jones, General Manager and Real Estate Sales Coordinator at Trapper’s

2. 146 Artful Living | Spring 2011 Artful-LivingMag.com
Landing. She points out that many kids make friends at the resort,
and, as a result, many families start coordinating their vacations
up north.
Not in the mood to cook? The Beach Fire Bar and Grille serves up
everything from venison pot stickers and walleye cakes to pasta and
steak. The restaurant is housed in the historic log lodge and boasts
beautiful views of the lake, complete with a bar and game room
downstairs for additional entertainment.
The Great Outdoors Meets the Great Indoors
Stone fireplaces, exposed wood, screened porches — all of the
units proudly celebrate cabin living and reflect the long tradition of
hunting and fishing in northern Minnesota. But don’t be fooled by
the canoe paddles resting against the wall and other rustic accents.
The three-bedroom Lakeside Townhomes sleep nine and offer
amazing amenities. The spacious units feature a gourmet kitchen
and island, along with a dining area for eight. The focal point of the
great room is a commanding stone fireplace. The room caters to every
entertainment need with a flat-screen TV, satellite service, a DVD
player and a stereo. You can also stay connected with free Wi-Fi service
throughout the cabin. The master bedroom and bath comes with a
relaxing steam shower. The master suite, complete with a whirlpool tub,
shares the second floor with a cozy guest room.
“I think it’s the level of design and detail that go into these units that
make the difference. The little things like the coffee sign or the steel bird
— those are the things that make it very homey. They go beyond any
other lodging facility I can think of,” says Barbara Swenson, Marketing
Director at Trapper’s Landing.
Buy Your Dream
Trapper’s Landing offers affordable options for owning your luxury
vacation home. Buyers can decide on whole ownership or opt for
fractional ownership. With fractional ownership, you own the home
for certain weeks out of the year. But unlike time-shares, buyers
actually own a piece of property at Trapper’s Landing. It’s a real-
estate transaction.
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3. Artful Living | Spring 2011 147
“To buy a whole place up here is going to cost you $500,000
or more. A lot of people say, ‘Geez, I can get that same luxury for
a fraction of the price and I don’t plan on using [the cabin] all the
time.’ That’s the beauty of fractional: you’re tailoring your purchase to
match your use,” Ryan explains.
Not only are the units move-in ready, they are also maintenance
free. That’s right — no weekend fix-it projects. You don’t have to
worry about opening up when you arrive or closing down when you
leave. Trapper’s Landing even cleans the unit from top to bottom
after you hit the road.
“From an ownership perspective, it’s a great thing,” Ryan insists.
“You never have to worry about any maintenance or mowing the
lawn. If something is wrong with the plumbing, we fix it. And of
course, we clean when you leave.”
Trapper’s Landing offers an additional cost-effective benefit: it
will rent out your home while you’re away. Cabins are rented in four
ways: as an entire 3-bedroom unit; a 1-bedroom townhome with
master bedroom and sofa sleeper; a master suite with king-size bed
and bathroom; and a guest room with full bed and bunk and attached
bathroom. Trapper’s Landing then divides the proceeds with the owner.
Whether you rent or buy, Trapper’s Landing is all about making
memories and getting back to nature.
“Do you know how many people have never seen a falling star?”
Ryan asks. “My kids and I have sat on the dock and seen a hundred in
one night.” He goes on to say, “Growing up, I can tell you my fondest
memories were going to the cabin. So what we’re trying to create
here is a place where those same types of memories are possible for
the next generation.”
land of 10,000 luxuries Guests at Trapper’s Landing Lodge can expect modern amenities plus plenty of activities for
the entire family.