Top 8 Ski Spots in Cleveland, Ohio

Photo by Mati Mango from Pexels

Cleveland, Ohio, has some exciting skiing spots that the whole family will love. We’ve gathered information on the best in the area so you can get onto the snowpack quickly and have a good time. Check out what we discovered below.

Boston Mills & Brandywine

This location is two resorts merged into one. You can ski, snowboard, and tube down the snowy paths of both sections of the resort, so make sure you bring all of your equipment. Boston Mills & Brandywine has 18 trails and three terrain parks available for visitors of all skill levels. This place is home to the steepest slope in Ohio, known as Tiger Slope, so head for it if you’re experienced and going for a high-tier challenge at a heart-pumping pace. 

The Boston Mills section of the resort has beginner-friendly terrain and teachers, so head that way if you’re getting into snow sports.

Kids love the Polar Blast Tubing Park, a variable terrain area ideal for safe snow-tubing experiences. Lift tickets are only available from December 25th to January 2nd, from January 14th through the 17th, and February 18th through the 27th, so head in then if you want a lift to the trail tops. A unique ski-racing program is available, so sign yourself or your child up if you want a more competitive experience. The adult’s program features skiing and snowboarding, while the kid’s program involves skiing alone.

Alpine Valley

Alpine Valley ski resort is located on a large mountain to the east of Cleveland. The mountain grants skiers an incredible 264-foot steep ski range from its peak. The resort features 72 acres of varied and gorgeous skiable landscape with total snow coverage. Four lifts are available, including one conveyor lift, two triple lifts, and one quadruple lift. 

There are seven trails on the mountain. Two trails are for beginners, three are for intermediate ski enthusiasts, and the one with the spectacular ski drop is the park’s advanced trail. 

The terrain park includes all kinds of exciting ramps, rails, and other structures meant to be used in tandem with skis, snowboards, and snow tubes. These structures not only provide a place for tricks and aerial maneuvers, but they also can be a good place for new skiers and snowboarders to work on maintaining and improving their balance, coordination, and turning control in a safe manner with trainers on staff nearby. Alpine Valley is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Big Creek Ski Area

You’ll find a skiing location ideal for kids of all ages and skill levels just a bit east of Alpine Valley near Painesville. The slope of this ski area is particularly relaxed since most of it is perched on a large hill instead of the traditional mountain or set of mountains. Five trails are available along 23 acres of skiable terrain. All of the snow is machine-generated, so the area is up and running for more of the year than the average ski resort. 

Two surface lifts are available, and snowboarders are welcome. A special kids ski-learning program is held here regularly on a varying schedule, so ask ski area officials for details.

One mountain trail for adults can be found here, but most of the Big Creek Ski Area is a ski trail set for kids and others new to snow sports. Easy Street is the most straightforward place to start, as it has the softest slope. The Show Off slope is a moderate-level run that continues down the area’s left center. The Estes Bowl is the high-difficulty run, but The Chute is the most challenging route to its left. It curves around from The Chalet to the base of the Estes Bowl through a forested area.

Snow Trails

To the west of Cleveland, you’ll find a family-friendly ski resort with a focus on skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and community building. Snow Trails is home to six primary routes for skiing and snowboarding, one long tubing carpet and park, and the western woods park and trail. Snow Trails is set into one side of the beautiful Mount Mansfield, which rises to a height of 4,395 feet. 

The beginner’s trail is in the center of the park and is half the length of the other trails. The West Woods trail runs through the most heavily wooded area of the park and is meant for advanced skiers.

The two primary Mount Mansfield routes are intermediate level, running down the left side of the park as seen from the base. Finally, the Silver Lane is a steep run for more advanced skiers. Slow-speed areas surround the training zone, so you and your child can learn at your own pace away from the main lane if you want. Facilities include three lodges, a ski shop, a ski learning center, a rental center, and a snow sports office. Ski-support patrols are made regularly for visitors’ safety.

Mad River Mountain

West of Columbus, you’ll find Mad River Mountain, a ski resort full of wild and winding runs of various difficulties. These ski lanes run through wooded areas, so be careful to stay in them as you pick up speed. The Deer Run, Valley View, and Sundowner routes are for beginners. Their inclines are light, and they run closest to the tubing park and learning area. 

The Eagle’s Nest, Twister, Sidewinder, Regulator, and Mad River trails are intermediate level. They range from swift ski steep inclines to winding woodland paths. Kicker Lane and Capital Park are the freestyle areas located on the eastern end of the resort.

Only the best among ski enthusiasts can handle the Sugarbush, Moguls, and Sidewinder Glades runs. The first is the steepest run in the resort, the second is a challenging short run in the center of the resort, and the third is by far the most difficult. It runs through glades of trees and can be taken from many angles. Rentals, parking, dining, bathrooms, first-aid professionals, day lockers, retail stores, a ski school, and an ATM are available for visitor use.

Have a blast at one of these outstanding ski resorts on your next weekend off. Each of them has a wide range of activities that the whole family will enjoy. If you know of another great resort, contact us. We’ll add it to this list.