Nestled in scenic Mansfield, Ohio, Snow Trails Ski Resort is the perfect destination for one-day family getaways that create lifelong memories. Dedicated to outdoor family fun, the resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing during the winter months.
The ski season typically runs from December into March, weather permitting. The resort is located off Interstate 71 south of Mansfield, OH, on Possum Run Road.
A Pioneer in Ohio Skiing
Skiing in Ohio really got its start in 1961 when Snow Trails opened its slopes to enthusiastic skiers. Cars with ski racks soon became a familiar sight on the highways around the North Central Ohio area. Many thousands of Ohioans, as well as skiers from neighboring states such as Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia, have come to know Mansfield as the "Ski Capital of Ohio."
Before 1961, Ohio winters were not considered favorable for commercial skiing enterprise. There were hundreds of ski areas operating in the northern states, but no one had developed one as far south as Ohio. It wasn't just luck that made Snow Trails a resounding success.
Before a tree was removed or a spade full of earth turned, climatological data and geological survey maps were closely scrutinized. The task was to select the best possible location for developing a ski slope that could be maintained by the use of snowmaking technology.
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The Magic of Man-Made Snow
Natural snow in Ohio is neither sufficient nor dependable for winter sports. For man-made snow, average temperatures need to be in the freezing range. Sufficient temperatures in the low twenties had to be available in order to make adequate snow to cover the acres of slopes.
What is man-made snow? It is simply the product of water and air combined in a special machine at the proper temperatures. The machine creates a fine mist which, in cold dry air, crystallizes as it falls to the ground and forms a snow-like granular cover.
The first ski area to try snowmaking was the Concord Hotel Resort in New York's Catskill Mountains. It was 1951 when they first turned on their new equipment set up on a slope on their golf course. Snowmaking is expensive. Over a million dollars is required for the necessary equipment; a larger sized ski development requires several million dollars for snowmaking outlay alone.
In 1960, skiing was a relatively new sport to Ohio. All these questions were taken into consideration when Snow Trails developers laid out Ohio's first ski area near Mansfield.
Innovations and Expansion
Additional slopes were opened at Snow Trails and a double chair lift was installed and operated, for the first time in Ohio, on December 8, 1962. This represented another innovation for the Ohio ski scene. Skiers began arriving from Louisville, Kentucky; Indianapolis, Indiana; Wheeling, West Virginia; and other distant points to ski at Snow Trails.
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In 2006 a tubing park was opened to meet the growing success of these facilities at ski areas throughout the country. The importance of being able to provide reliable snow is the key to success for tubing as well as skiing operations.
Snow Trails, as Ohio's first commercial ski resort, has maintained its reputation for leadership.
Terrain and Facilities
At Snow Trails, you'll find a variety of terrain and facilities to suit all skill levels:
- Trails: 21 - All 100% lighted for night Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Tubing
- Lifts: 4 triple, 2 double, 2 Rope Tows, 2 Ski Conveyor Carpets, and Tubing Conveyor Carpet
- Terrain Parks: 5 - Terrain Based Learning Park, Progression Park, Alpine Terrain Park, Rustler Jump Line, and The Woods Terrain Park
- Tubing Park: Up to seven 1,100' long snowy lanes - the "Longest Tubing Lanes in Ohio”
- Vertical Drop: 301 feet
- Longest Run: 2,200 feet - Timberline trail - the "Longest Trail in Ohio"
Addition of Rope Tow in 24-25 Season - edge of West Woods Trail, serving skiers and snowboarders in The Woods Terrain Park. New Trails in 23-24 Season - Ridgeline and DC Drop off of reconfigured Mt. Mansfield Double Chairlift.
Snow Trails is family owned and operated. Experience Rental Center- 9,000 sq. ft. Our family owned and operated Resort has a unique advantage in the Possum Run Valley, home to Snow Trails, with some of the coldest temperatures in Ohio, a massive state-of-the-art snowmaking system with Cooling Tower, and a loyal Crew stacking not just snow, but years of experience producing what many guests have come to expect as the best snow and machine groomed snow conditions in Ohio for Skiing and Snowboarding.
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Four Terrain Parks: The Woods, Alpine, Progression Park, and Terrain Based Learning Park. 100% Lighted Slopes & Parks for night skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Beginners Area - User Friendly, Gradual Grade Slopes and Surface Conveyor Lifts.
Dining and Lodging
A day on the slopes works up an appetite. Luckily, you will find plenty of places to wine and dine at the Snow Trails Ski Resort. Stop by The Last Run for deli foods, craft beer, and spirits. The Snowflake Loft Bar is another popular apres-ski spot for cocktails; they even feature live music each Saturday! Joe’s Cafeteria features grab-and-go food like burgers, chicken tenders, and french fries.
Rustic Daylodge - with two Restaurants and two Bars, plus large deck with outdoor seating overlooking Mt. Mansfield Slope. Additional Base Lodge - “The Valley Lodge” - 3,000 sq.ft. Indoor Seating with beautiful views slope-side. Restrooms. Outdoor Patio.
Hotels, motels and B&B's are available as close as a few miles from the ski area. Snow Trails does not offer lodging at the ski area.
If you are planning a holiday getaway to Ohio’s Amish area, you need to add the Snow Trails Ski Resort to your itinerary! From bunny slopes to snow tubing to cross-country trails, there is something at this winter resort for everyone.
Tickets and Passes
Snow Trails- Snowmaking Begins!
Limited Quantities Available Based On Maximum Capacity To Offer The Best Experiences. Tickets Sell-Out Fast. Please Plan Ahead. » BUY NOW for available dates
All-Day Lift Ticket $60. Save $10 after 4PM. Ages 12 & Under. Age 6-12 - Save an additional $10 on Lift Ticket & Equipment Rental. Age 5 & Under - Receive Free Lift Ticket with paying adult.
Advanced Bookings Online Required. Walk-Ups Unavailable - please plan ahead.
Projected Season Dates:
- Projected opening date Dec 11, 2025
- Projected closing date Mar 15, 2026
- Projected Days Open 90
- Days Open Last Year 87
Season Passes 2025-'26 AVAILABLE NOW» Season Pass Options. Advanced Bookings Not Required. For Season Passholders. Lift Ticket Bookings 2025-'26: AVAILABLE NOW - For Dec., Jan., & Feb.
Snow Conditions and Hours
Please check the daily SNOW REPORT for the latest Slope, Facility and Feature Availability.
SLOPE HOURS: Sunday, Dec. 28th 9AM - 9PM
TUBING HOURS: Sunday, Dec.
Snow Surface Conditions & Notes: Machine made, groomed surface. The Woods Terrain Park is open.
Additional Amenities
- 2,100 square foot outdoor Sun Deck
- Ski Shop Visit Snow Trails Ski Shop located across the mall area from the Snow Trails Lodge. One of Ohio's most complete full-service shops featuring apparel, equipment, and same day services.
- Kids-Only ski and snowboard lessons and rentals are offered so children may learn with their peers.
Getting Here
Snow Trails is easy to find, with just a short mile and a half jaunt off I-71's exit 169 at Rt. Load up the car and take a route connecting with Interstate 71. Turn off I-71 at the Mansfield-Bellville (Route 13) Interchange (Exit 169).
Find yourself at home in Snow Trails rustic ski resort atmosphere, just a short drive from Cleveland or Columbus, located only 1.5 miles off I-71 near Mansfield.
Base Elevation: 1,174
Peak Elevation: 1,475
Snowmaking Capacity
Snowmaking Capacity: 5,500GPM (gallons per minute), which equates to 330,000 gallons of water per hour delivered through 3+ miles of 4" to 16" welded steel underground pipe. The water is sourced from our 5 water wells up through 16" casings and delivered to our Snowmaking Pond and Cooling Tower. Our massive Snowmaking System is capable of covering almost three average slopes (6 acres) with 5" of man-made snow base in 24 hours at full capacity with an average temperature of 25 degrees and less than 65% relative humidity.
Slope Difficulty
Slope Difficulty:
- Beginner 20%
- Intermediate 60%
- Advanced: 20%