Mad River Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mad River Mountain |
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Aerial view of Mad River Mountain from the east
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| Location | Valley Hi, Ohio (Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio) |
| Nearest city | Bellefontaine, Ohio |
| Coordinates | 40°18′58.74″N 83°40′50.03″W / 40.3163167°N 83.6805639°W |
| Top elevation | 1,460 feet (450 m) |
| Base elevation | 1,160 feet (350 m) |
| Skiable area | 144 acres (0.58 km2) |
| Runs | 23 |
| Longest run | .5 miles (0.80 km) |
| Lift system | 12 |
| Snowfall | 36 inches (91 cm) |
| Website | SkiMadRiver.com |
Mad River Mountain is a cool place in Valley Hi, Ohio where you can go skiing and snowboarding. It's a popular resort in Ohio, United States. The top of the mountain is about 1,460 feet (450 m) high. From top to bottom, the drop is 300 ft (91 m). This means you get a fun ride down!
The ski season at Mad River Mountain usually runs from December 1st to March 16th. It first opened in 1962 as Valley Hi Ski Area. Today, it's owned by Vail Resorts, a big company that bought it in 2019.
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Fun on the Slopes
Mad River Mountain has lots of ways to have fun! There are 23 different trails for all skill levels. You can find easy trails for beginners and more challenging ones for experts.
Besides skiing and snowboarding, there's a special tubing park. Here, you can slide down hills on a big tube. The resort also has three terrain parks. These parks are full of jumps, rails, and other features for snowboarders and skiers to show off their tricks. If you're just starting out, there are two special areas just for beginners.
Lifts and Getting Around
To get up the mountain, Mad River Mountain has 12 different lifts. These include 6 surface lifts, which pull you along the snow. There are also 6 chair lifts, including one fixed quad lift. These lifts carry you comfortably up the slopes so you can enjoy more runs.
Making Snow and Staying Cool
Ohio doesn't always get a lot of natural snow. On average, only 36 inches (91 cm) of snow falls each year. But don't worry! Mad River Mountain has the biggest snowmaking system in Ohio. They have 130 special snow cannons. These machines can make snow to cover all of their trails. This means you can always count on good snow conditions for skiing and snowboarding.
Where is Mad River Mountain?
The resort is located off U.S. Route 33. It's just east of the city of Bellefontaine. Mad River Mountain is also close to Campbell Hill. This is the highest point in Ohio, about 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of the resort. The resort is also near where the Mad River begins.
The Loft: A New Beginning
Mad River Mountain used to have a famous bar called 'The Loft'. Sadly, it caught fire on September 16, 2015, and was completely destroyed. But the resort quickly got ready for the next winter season. They built temporary buildings in October 2015. Now, a brand new lodge has been built for everyone to enjoy!
Famous Faces at Mad River Mountain
Some famous athletes got their start or worked at Mad River Mountain. In the early 1980s, Olympic medalist Putzi Frandl worked there. She was a ski instructor at the resort.
Another Olympic snowboard medalist, Louie Vito, also started his journey at Mad River Mountain. Today, he still remembers his roots. Each year, Louie Vito helps organize a food drive for a local food pantry. This shows how much he cares about the community.
