Ski OhioooOOOOOoooooOOOOoooo

Snow Trails in Mansfield is the oldest. Spicy Mountain is the newest. Mad River Mountain is the highest. Brandywine is the largest. Let's go!

First Stop: Information and Organization
Go to http://www.skicentral.com/rpt-ohio.html for a quick check on Ohio's snow and trails condition. Then, if you're the community-oriented sort, head over to The Ohio Valley Ski Council at http://www.ovsc.org/ The Ohio Valley Ski Council (OVSC) is the place to find out what's going on in the snow sports industry from the Midwest perspective. Officially, OVSC comprises 14 ski clubs in cities that stretch from along the Ohio River in Southern Indiana to Eastern Kentucky and to the shores of Lake Erie in Northern Ohio, for a combined total of about 5,000 people who like to head downhill fast. (And preferably not on their heads!) OVSC organizes races and trips each year, generally including two trips in North America and one European trip that combines skiing with touring opportunities, a summer ski trip to take advantage of the snow south of the equator, and a two-month racing program at regional and western resorts. This year, the OVSC trip that most appeals to me is...going to Chile! Imagine skiing in the Andes...oh, my.

Ohio Slopes
Spicy Run is just west of Waverly "in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains," as the marketing literature says so eloquently. The focus is at Spicy Run appears to be on family fun. The new ski area has three double-black-diamond trails and two beginner trails.
Of personal interest (at least to me), the resort recommends dining at the nearby Lake White Club, a family-run restaurant since the beginning of time. Well, it's not QUITE that old, but let me just say there was a Lake White Club before my dad was able to pull a chair up to the table! They did--and still do--offer delicious, home-style meals. A fine place to fuel up, after a spicy run or two. And now...back to the slopes:
Spicy Run Ski Mountain provides the Midwest's tallest vertical, longest terrain park, steepest trails ... and high-capacity snowmaking to keep them slippery! "Ski valets" are trained to help little ones get their skiing legs, or at least to help them get up with a smile.

Mad River Mountain in Bellefontaine (the highest point in the state) celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. They've increased the beginners' area, increased the number of long (scary) runs, doubled the number of snowboards for rent and doubled the snowboarding hills. Mad River offers a 1,460-foot mountain elevation and a 300-foot vertical drop. It also offers a long, long, lonnnnnnng tubing run. The web site makes it sound downright easy. Relaxing, almost, in a thrilling sort of way: "Imagine the thrill of riding down a snowy 450' long hill and then effortlessly riding your tube back up. No experience or special equipment is needed. Just hop in your snow tube and enjoy the ride." I've been tubing and it is FUN. It is not effortless, in my opinion, as nothing involving six layers of clothing and a hat that fits snugly, right over my eyes, can be. However, it is FUN. It is also infinitely easier than trying to stay upright on two slick, skinny pieces of fiberglass.

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