Buena Vista Ski Area, near Bemidji in northern Minnesota, developed as a local downhill skiing and snowboarding destination on the slopes around Beltrami's Bowl rather than as a major resort. Its beginnings date to 1936, when Leonard R. Dickinson cleared the first ski run. The original chalet, improvised from a grain bin at the top of Beltrami's Bowl, reflected its modest, homegrown character. A rope tow added in 1949 and chairlifts installed in 1975 marked its steady evolution from a simple ski hill into a more established winter sports venue.