Love to downhill ski, but balk at the price of airfare these days? A perfect weekend ­– or day – escape is less than a 5-hour drive. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or prefer to stick to the bunny hill, there are plenty of places nearby to get your skiing or snowboarding fix.

10620 Mayfield Rd.

Chesterland, OH 44026

440-285-2211

158 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $27-$32, depending on day of week

Number of trails: 11

Skiable area: 72 acres

Vertical drop: 230 feet

Summit elevation: 1,500 feet

Amenities: Alpine Valley, located just east of Cleveland in the heart of Ohio’s snowbelt, boasts ski and snowboard slopes and trails, two Xtreme park areas, snow tube park, a cafeteria and lounge, and a ski and snowboard shop and rentals. Skiers and snowboarders of any level can enjoy a day on the groomed slopes, and more experienced skiers and riders can test their skill at the Xtreme parks, featuring boxes and rails and Ohio’s longest half pipe. For the less experienced snow bunny, or for anyone looking to brush up on their turns, Alpine Valley Professional Learning Center features a ski school registered with the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

7100 Riverview Rd.

Peninsula, OH 44264

800-875-4241

129 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $39

Number of trails: 19

Skiable area: 79 acres

Vertical drop: 240 feet

Amenities: Located less than 3 miles apart, in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, both Boston Mills and Brandywine feature trails and slopes varying in difficulty to satisfy any skier or boarder. The quantity of advanced terrain has been increased in the past few years, adding more parks and rails. Each resort has its own lodge, featuring food, drinks and great views of the slopes. Equipment and service shops are available at each resort as well, in addition to various lesson programs catered to specific groups’ needs. Snow Tubing and late-night skiing are available at Brandywine.

1000 Snow Valley Rd.

Zanesfield/Valley Hi, OH 43360

937-599-1015

53 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $30-$42, depending on day of week

Number of trails: 23

Skiable area: 144 acres

Vertical drop: 300 feet

Summit elevation: 1,460 feet

Amenities: Mad River Mountain has added many new features for the 2007 season. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy two new trails, a new triple chair lift and a new beginner terrain park. The resort has added a new Avalanche Tubing Park, featuring 10 chutes that are 900 feet long. Need a break after some hard skiing? Mad River Mountain houses two lodges with food and beverages, in addition to indoor and outdoor picnic areas. The park also features Midnight Madness, Friday and Saturday nights, from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.

3100 Possum Run Rd.

Mansfield, OH 44903

419-774-9818

63 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $40-$42, depending on day of week

Number of trails: 16

Skiable area: 50 acres, all lighted

Vertical drop: 300 feet
Summit elevation: 1,475 feet

Amenities: Ohio’s first commercial ski resort and home of many “firsts” in Ohio, such as the first ski school, ski patrol, Terrain Park, half pipe and chair lift in Ohio, Snow Trails

prides itself in maintaining a top-of-the-line resort for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. The resort features three terrain parks, two restaurants, two bars, a picnic area, a full-service ski shop and group and private lessons among many other amenities. New this season is the Vertical Descent Tubing Park featuring 1,000-foot long groomed lanes – sure to be fun for the whole family!

4050 Bromfield Rd.

Lucas, Ohio 44843
419-892-2784

Miles of trails: 12

Amenities: No lift tickets are needed here – Malabar Farm offers the chance for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy trails for cross-country (X-C) skiing. For beginners, or those perfecting their technique, the Farm offers workshops in addition to equipment rentals.

6775 Highland Rd.

White Lake, MI 48383

248-887-4183

228 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $26-$40, depending on day of week and inclusion of evening hours

Number of trails: 25

Skiable area: 100 acres

Vertical drop: 300 feet

Summit elevation: 1,210 feet

Amenities: As Southeast Michigan’s largest ski area, Alpine Valley offers many trails and slopes to challenge beginners and experts alike. For the aggressive skier or snowboarder, the 350-foot, 10-foot vertical half pipe and terrain park of ramps, boxes and rails are sure to test skills. For those still learning technique, Alpine Valley’s “Gold Merit” Instruction center offers many different types of lessons. After a long day of skiing, enjoy drinks, dancing and entertainment with a view at the Hornet’s Nest Lounge.

4141 Bauer Rd.

Brighton, MI 48116

810-229-9581

213 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $24-$30, depending on day of week

Number of trails: 26

Skiable area: 130 acres

Vertical drop: 250 feet

Summit elevation: 1,300 feet

Amenities: Located just north of Ann Arbor, Mt. Brighton Ski Area features beginner areas, expert areas and everything in between. The resort features a full-service ski/snowboard shop and rentals, Snow Sports School, with private or group lessons and a main lodge housing The Bauery Restaurant & Bar.

777 Waterwheel Dr.

Champion, PA 15622

814-352-7777

223 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $36-$48, depending on day of week

Number of trails: 31

Skiable area: 275 acres

Vertical drop: 750 feet

Summit elevation: 2,994 feet

Amenities: Rated by Ski Magazine as the No. 1 resort in the Mid-Atlantic, Seven Springs features a front side, North Face area, beginner area and half pipe and terrain park – home to jumps, rails, boxes and tabletops to satisfy thrill-seekers. Seven Springs has many opportunities for non-skiers as well: snow tubing, snowmobile tours, Snowcat rides, snowshoe tours and sleigh rides are perfect opportunities to experience what the mountain has to offer. If the cold isn’t your thing, the resort offers various indoor recreational activities such as bowling and mini golf, in addition to massage and spa services to help you wind down after a day on the slopes (or on the putt-putt course)!

Claysburg, PA

814-239-5111

289 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $35-$50, depending on day of week and inclusion of evening hours

Number of trails: 34

Vertical drop: 1,072 feet

Amenities: On the second highest mountain in Pennsylvania, located in the south-central part of the state between Altoona and Johnstown, Blue Knob in the winter is home to many activities including downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and cross country skiing. Guests can enjoy a full-service ski shop, various restaurants and pubs at the resort, or many of the various shopping areas, parks and historical sites nearby.

Edinboro, PA

814-734-1641

232 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $15-$25, depending on day of week and inclusion of evening hours

Number of trails: 10

Amenities: Located a half-hour south of Erie, Mountain View offers a variety of types of trails and slopes without long lines at the lifts. The resort features its Snow Tube Park, with four 600-foot long chutes. Private and group lessons are available for beginners or those looking to brush up on some skills. Night skiing is available on lighted slopes, offering skiers and snowboarders a few more hours to carve on the runs.

19074 Perfect Lane

Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

513-381-7517

129 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $43 for 8 consecutive hours

Number of trails: 22

Vertical drop: 400 feet

Summit elevation: 800 feet

Amenities: Nestled in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana border, Perfect North is great for a short getaway. The resort is home to a variety of trails and slopes, in addition to a snow tubing area, which now has 10 additional 750-foot lanes. For a different kind of thrill, skiers and boarders can try out the Audition Terrain Park, which features boxes, rails and jumps. Everything you need on the slopes is right at the resort – Loft Shop, Chow Corral, ski tuning, rentals and lodging.

2798 W. County Rd. 25 S

Paoli, IN 47454

812-723-4696

255 miles from Columbus.

All-day adult lift ticket: $40

Number of trails: 14

Vertical drop: 300 feet

Summit elevation: 900 feet

Amenities: Keeping up with other ski resorts in the area, Paoli Peaks is adding snow tubing this season – but that is not all they have to offer. The resort, perched on a natural hill in south-central Indiana, is home to The Groove Terrain Park, with giant features up to 50 feet tall. At the top of the hill is the 45,000-square-foot ski lodge and restaurant. There are 115 certified instructors available for private or group lessons and on-site rental and pro shops are sure to have what you need to make the most of your trip to the slopes!