MANSFIELD, Ohio - Friday was a day of sun and snow on the slopes of Snow Trails as the ski area kicked off its extended hours.
Skiers and boarders could hit the slopes all the way to midnight. And those late Fridays continue thorugh the rest of the season.
"Essentially when we come out and have Friday night entertainment and Saturday night entertainment, it just gets the atmosphere going that everybody loves," said Nate Wolleson, marketing manager for Snow Trails. "We have big events coming, a mid-season party at the end of January with fireworks over the snow, just a lot of incredible events and activities."
On Saturday, glow tubing kicks off at Snow Trails, and riders can enjoy that all the way up until midnight on both Friday and Saturday nights. And, this year, there will be even more LEDs to light up the night.
Wolleson also points out that Snow Trails has been improving its technology over the years and has focused on improving the beginner areas so that anyone can learn.
"We want to really create skiers and snowboarders and keep the industry alive," Wolleson said. "It’s just such a family-friendly, fun event and activity to do in the winter that you don’t typically have outdoors. "
On Friday afternoon, Randy Kessler and his buddies had staked out a stop on the deck of the lodge. Kessler has been skiing more than 60 years, 40 of them at Snow Trails.
"I come here every year, and I’ve got my friends here that also join me in my activities," Kessler said. "If I didn’t get out here in the wintertime and get some good exercise and breathe in some nice, fresh, north central Ohio air, it just invigorates me."
But Kessler also admits that he spends about half of his day not on the slopes but at the lodge, enjoying a few adult beverages.
For those who do not want to join in the snowy fun, there is food and drink to be had inside the lodge, that is constructed out of the original barn on the property.
"You can have a fun atmosphere here with the fire and hot chocolate, and we have a full bar and deli, the Last Run Bar and Deli, and also a cafeteria downstairs, and so you can just come in and enjoy a book by the fireplace," Wolleson said.