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SUPERB SKI SPOTS JUST A TANK AWAY Story by Steve Schirra For avid skiers, the changing of the seasons from summer to fall is an exciting time because it brings them one step closer to hitting the slopes. It's never too early to start planning a winter ski getaway, so in this issue we offer you a guide to some of the finest drive-to ski resorts in Ohio and beyond.
Alpine Valley 10620 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 440-285-2211 www.alpinevalleyohio.com Set in the heart of the Snow Belt, Alpine Valley offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing and an "XTreme Park," complete with Ohio's longest permanent half-pipe and rails. Alpine Valley has 11 slopes and trails, ranging from beginner to expert, as well as a large tube park and freestyle areas.
Boston Mills/Brandywine Boston Mills Ski Resort 7100 Riverview Road Peninsula, Ohio 44264 Brandywine Ski Resort 1146 W Highland Road Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067 800-875-4241 For Northeast Ohio residents looking for a great place to ski close to home, Boston Mills/Brandywine just may be the answer. "The neat thing about Boston Mills/Brandywine is that it's like skiing and snowboarding at two resorts for the price of one," says marketing director Kim Laubenthal. "The resorts were developed separately in the '60s, but your pass can be used at both."
About five minutes apart, the two resorts offer 79 skiable acres. With a total of 19 slopes geared to all skill levels, Boston Mills/Brandywine is great for a day in the snow. And for the boarders out there, each resort has its own terrain park.
Mad River Mountain Ski Resort 1000 Snow Valley Road Zanesfield/Valley Hi, Ohio 43360 800-231-SNOW Make "every day a snow day" at Mad River Mountain by skiing on one of their 23 trails that cover more than 140 acres. Just a short drive outside of Columbus, the resort is perfect for skiing, snowboarding and tubing without too long of a drive. One special feature of the resort is its three terrain parks, each with a different skill level from beginner to expert. Mad River Mountain also features a 10-lane, 900-foot tubing park. Many of these improvements stem from the resort's $2.5 million expansion for the 2006-2007 season.
Clear Fork Ski Area Resort Drive Butler, Ohio 44822 419-883-2000 Although smaller than some resorts, Clear Fork Ski Area still offers 10 trails, including its tubing area, for skiers of all experience levels. The action is geared more toward skiing than boarding, with no terrain parks. However, first-time skiers will be glad to note that the beginner's area is separated from the main slopes for easy learning.
Snowtrails Ski Resort 3100 Possum Run Road Mansfield, Ohio 44903 1-800-OHIO-SKI With 50 skiable acres and 16 trails, Snowtrails is not a place to miss this winter. Though most of the trails are geared toward intermediate skiers, the resort offers a unique "snow carpet" system for beginners who fear the dreaded ski lifts. Like most of the larger parks, Snowtrails offers three terrain areas and other amenities such as a Snow Sports Learning Center.
Peek'n Peak Resort and Conference Center 1405 Olde Road Findley Lake, New York 14736 716-355-4141 A golf resort by summer and a ski resort by winter, Peek'n Peak is worth the drive for a day or weekend of skiing. Guests have access to 37 slopes and trails, a tubing area, three terrain parks and a large cross-country skiing and snowshoeing area. The resort has invested in state-of-the-art snowmaking technology for the upcoming season, part of a $6 million, resort-wide capital improvement project.
Nicole Messner, a ski enthusiast from Cuyahoga Falls, recently visited the park and was impressed. "The atmosphere is really cozy and outdoorsy," she says. "You feel like you're in the middle of nowhere at this resort. Everything looks very nice and well kept."
She says she took a beginner's snowboarding class late last season and felt right at home at the resort. "The staff was great," she says, adding that the resort also has a terrific bar.
Holiday Valley 6677 Holiday Valley Road Ellicottville, New York 14731 716-699-2345 Just three hours from Cleveland, Holiday Valley is the crème de la crème of ski resorts with its 53 slopes covering more than 1,100 acres. It also offers three terrain parks and trails reserved for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The three lodges in the resort, one with free WiFi access, give visitors a relaxing environment to put their feet up after a long day of hitting the slopes. Night skiing is also offered, with 37 of the slopes available until at least 10 p.m. every evening.
No matter the resort, winter sports are a wonderful way to stay in shape over the long winter months. And all of these great places to ski are just a tank of gas away.
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