From Ohio to New York, West Virginia to Michigan, discover the best ski resorts near Cleveland and what’s new this season.
As winter settles in and temperatures drop, ski enthusiasts in the Cleveland area are gearing up for their favorite time of year. With several popular ski resorts opening their doors, it’s time to start planning a return to the slopes. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a snowboarding beginner, there are plenty of options close to Cleveland to satisfy your winter sports cravings. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 14 regional ski resorts in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and Michigan, highlighting their unique features, prices, and new attractions for the upcoming season.
Ohio: Alpine Valley, Chesterland
Alpine Valley, located in the heart of Ohio’s snowbelt, remains a favorite park for beginners with its gentle slopes and abundant natural snow. Last year, Vail Resorts, the park’s owner, added a handle tow for easier access to popular areas. The park also hosts the popular Dew After Dark event, returning this year on Jan. 19 and Feb. 10.
Ohio: Brandywine and Boston Mills, Summit County
These sister parks, just a few miles apart, are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. Both parks added new quad chairlifts last season, improving access to the slopes. Brandywine is known for its popular Midnight Madness event, where the resort stays open until midnight every Saturday in February. It is also home to the Polar Blast snow tubing park.
Ohio: Snow Trails, Mansfield
Snow Trails, located south of Mansfield, is debuting two new intermediate trails this season, bringing the park’s total to 21. The resort has also expanded parking, improved snowmaking capabilities, and added lighting. Advanced online bookings are required for daily lift tickets, as they often sell out quickly.
Ohio: Mad River Mountain, Zanesfield
Mad River Mountain, owned by Vail Resorts, is included in the Ohio Pass, allowing season passholders from other Vail-owned parks in Ohio to ski here for free. The resort features three terrain parks and the Bubly Tubing Park for added winter fun.
New York: Peek’n Peak, Clymer
Peek’n Peak is the closest overnight ski resort to Cleveland, offering slope-side lodging, dining, and a full-service spa. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort offers tubing and cross-country skiing. Renovations to rooms at the Inn at the Peak and the indoor pool, as well as snowmaking and chairlift enhancements, are among the improvements for this season.
New York: Holiday Valley, Ellicottville
Holiday Valley, New York’s most popular ski resort, has replaced its Mardi Gras chairlift with a new six-passenger high-speed lift, increasing capacity to the top of the hill. The resort has also made significant investments in snowmaking, grooming equipment, and renovations to on-site accommodations.
Pennsylvania: Seven Springs, Champion
Seven Springs, a full-service resort located southeast of Pittsburgh, offers slope-side lodging, numerous dining options, and off-slope activities such as spa services, bowling, and mini-golf. The park is known for its terrain parks and superpipe and is easily accessible for Epic passholders from Northeast Ohio.
West Virginia: Canaan Valley, Davis
Canaan Valley, part of the West Virginia state park system, offers a range of winter activities, including skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The resort is surrounded by the charming ski towns of Davis and Thomas and is close to Timberline Mountain ski resort and White Grass Ski Touring Center.
West Virginia: Snowshoe Mountain, Snowshoe
Snowshoe Mountain, located high in the mountains of south-central West Virginia, is adding a new chairlift for the first time in over a decade. The new quad chairlift, Powder Monkey, will improve access to the resort’s expert-only slopes and increase uphill capacity. The resort also offers snowmobile tours, tubing, snowshoeing, and more.
Michigan: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville
Crystal Mountain, located south of Traverse City, offers a winter wonderland experience with skiing, snowboarding, fat-tire bike rentals, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ice skating. The resort has made improvements to snowmaking and grooming and offers igloo dining at the Wild Tomato. It is also home to the Michigan Legacy Art Park.
Michigan: Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls
Boyne Mountain is celebrating its 75th anniversary this winter with several gifts to skiers, including two new chairlifts that will increase capacity and cut wait times. The resort has also added a covered conveyor lift in the beginner area and enhanced snowmaking and grooming. Look out for new music and lights at the Top Notch Tubing Park and the SkyBridge Michigan.
Conclusion:
With a variety of ski resorts to choose from, Cleveland-area snow enthusiasts have plenty of options for hitting the slopes this winter. Whether you’re a beginner looking for gentle slopes or an experienced skier seeking challenging terrain, the regional ski resorts near Cleveland offer something for everyone. From improvements in snowmaking and grooming to new chairlifts and attractions, this season promises excitement and adventure in the winter wonderland. So grab your skis or snowboard and get ready to carve your way through the snow-covered slopes.
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