As snow has been off and on in central Ohio, outdoor enthusiasts may be ready to bundle up and hit the slopes.
While the Midwest isn’t known for mountains, there are still opportunities to catch some fresh powder within driving distance of Columbus, especially if the record-breaking snowfall levels continue.
Two ski resorts, Snow Trails, in Mansfield, and Mad River Mountain, in Zanesfield, are roughly an hour from Columbus.
For those who want to venture farther outside central Ohio, other Midwestern sites offer opportunities to hop on a chairlift or enjoy the warmth of the lodge.
Here are ski resort options within a four-hour drive from Columbus.
Mad River Mountain
Mad River Mountain, 1000 Snow Valley Road, Zanesfield, is just under an hour away from central Ohio.
The ski resort celebrated its season opening on Dec. 12.
Boasting the most expansive terrain in the state of Ohio, according to the website, the resort’s 144 acres of skiable terrain includes 46% green, or beginner, slopes; 38% blue, or intermediate, slopes; and 16% advanced terrain.
The mountain’s Bubly Tubing Park has a more limited schedule, so check the hours on the website before visiting.
Snow Trails
Also roughly an hour away from central Ohio is Snow Trails in Mansfield.
Located in the Possum Run Valley, one of the coldest spots in Ohio, according to the Snow Trails website, the area is optimal for making and maintaining quality snow for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.
Family-owned and operated, Snow Trails is the only ski resort of its kind in Ohio. Advanced bookings are required online for daily lift tickets.
Perfect North
Just west of Cincinnati, two hours away from central Ohio, Perfect North Slopes, 19074 Perfect Lane in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, is open for the season.
With five chairlifts, seven carpet lifts, 23 trails, two terrain parks and 25 tubing lanes, the resort has diverse terrain for all levels, including one double black diamond run for experts only.
Boston Mills
A Vail Resorts site located two hours from Columbus at 7100 Riverview Road in Peninsula, in northeast Ohio, Boston Mills invites skiers and snowboarders to hit the powder from new snowmaking machines.
It boasts 46% advanced terrain – the highest of the Vail Resorts locations on this list.
The resort also operates northeast Ohio’s largest tubing park.
As of late December, the neighboring Vail Resorts location, Brandywine, had not yet set its opening date.
Alpine Valley
A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Columbus, Alpine Valley Ski Area celebrated its opening day Dec. 20.
The Cleveland-area ski resort has mainly intermediate slopes, with 33% advanced terrain.
Mt. Brighton
Central Ohioans can visit Mt. Brighton, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Columbus.
Located near Detroit at 4141 Bauer Road in Brighton, Michigan, the 130 acres of skiable terrain includes more advanced terrain just 45 minutes from the major city.
Seven Springs
The farthest resort on this list, Seven Springs Ski Resort is a three-hour and 45-minute-drive from central Ohio to Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.
A Vail Resorts location, the mountain is larger than many of the others and has mainly intermediate terrain, according to its website.
Reporter Sophia Veneziano may be reached at sveneziano@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Check out these ski resorts within driving distance of Columbus
Reporting by Sophia Veneziano, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
