Bring on the snow. What's new at Ohio ski resorts and when will they open? ⛷️

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read

Ohio ski slopes are almost ready for business – the only thing missing is the snow.

The state is home to five public ski resorts and one private club, the Cleveland Ski Club, which is east of Cleveland. Vail Resorts owns and operates four of the resorts, while Snow Trails in Mansfield is family-run.

Resorts welcome skiers, snowboarders and some even offer snow tubing. Here's what to know about ski resorts in Ohio.

Ohio ski resorts

Here are Ohio's five public ski resorts:

When will ski resorts in Ohio open for the season?

Ohio ski resorts are aiming to open around Christmas, but Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate.

Vail Resorts hopes to open its four Ohio properties − Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River Mountain − by the last weekend in December. However, spokesperson Pamela Hoye said opening dates can sometimes be pushed back to January during particularly warm winter seasons.

If temperatures and humidity conditions cooperate, Snow Trails spokesperson Nate Wolleson said they hope to crank up the snow-making machines at the Mansfield resort around Thanksgiving. The goal is build up a substantial base of snow before the ski resort opens for the season, which should be around the second week of December.

Construction crews have spent the off-season making improvements at Snow Trails in Mansfield.
Construction crews have spent the off-season making improvements at Snow Trails in Mansfield.

What's new this year at Ohio ski resorts?

Although the skiers leave in the spring, work at Ohio's ski resorts is year-round.

Most of the off-season work this year has been at Snow Trails in Mansfield. Wolleson said work has been done on one of the most extensive improvement projects in the resort's 63-year history, including some new trails.

"We're just constantly trying to stretch out further to reach the next generation of skiers," he said.

The Snow Trails improvements include:

  • Reconfigured Mount Mansfield double chairlift and unloading area with a new right unload option.

  • New Ridgeline trail and DC Drop trail.

  • Expanded west parking lot.

  • Slope transition work.

  • New concrete parking lot from locker rooms and the Adaptive Snow Sports Center.

  • Wooden deck with ski racks off the Ski Lodge Cafeteria.

  • New Alpine Lift top hut.

  • Improved snow-making.

  • Beginner Terrain Park has been renamed to the Progression Park.

  • New LED lighting on the slopes and in parking lots.

Much of the improvements, including some new lifts and other major work, at Vail's Ohio resorts have been performed over the last couple of seasons.

Hoye said Vail is introducing a new Slope Days program this year to encourage school trips and after-school ski programs for young skiers. The company is also planning to hold special events and live music at the resorts.

A big event this winter will be at the Boston Mills and Brandywine resorts, which will mark a collective 60-year anniversary. Hoye said there will be some special events along with anniversary souvenirs available at both northern Ohio resorts.

A trio of skiers take the lift to the top of Mount Mansfield at Snow Trails in Mansfield.
A trio of skiers take the lift to the top of Mount Mansfield at Snow Trails in Mansfield.

Ohio ski resorts by the numbers

Alpine Valley

  • Vertical drop: 252 feet.

  • Elevation: 1,500 feet.

  • Lifts: Three.

  • Trails: Nine.

Boston Mills

  • Vertical drop: 264 feet.

  • Elevation: 871 feet.

  • Lifts: Seven.

  • Trails: Seven.

Brandywine

  • Vertical drop: 240 feet.

  • Elevation: 871 feet.

  • Lifts: Eight.

  • Trails: 11.

Mad River Mountain

  • Vertical drop: 300 feet.

  • Elevation: 1,460 feet.

  • Lifts: Eight.

  • Trails: 17.

Snow Trails

  • Vertical drop: 301 feet.

  • Elevation: 1,475 feet.

  • Lifts: Nine.

  • Trails: 21.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When do Ohio ski resorts open in 2023? What to know