Mad River Mountain

Mad River Mountain is a ski and snowboard resort in Valley Hi, Ohio, United States. The elevation of Mad River Mountain is 1,460 feet (450 m) with a vertical drop of 300 ft (91 m), and it has a ski season that runs from approximately mid-December through mid-March. The resort, which opened in 1962 as Valley Hi Ski Area,[2] is owned and operated by Vail Resorts, who bought the resort from Peak Resorts in 2019.[4]

Mad River Mountain
Aerial view of Mad River Mountain from the east
Aerial view of Mad River Mountain from the east
LocationValley Hi, Ohio (Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio)
Nearest major cityBellefontaine, Ohio
Coordinates40°18′58.74″N 83°40′50.03″W
Top elevation1,460 feet (450 m)[1]
Base elevation1,160 feet (350 m)[1]
Skiable area144 acres (0.58 km2)[2]
Runs20[1]
Longest run.5 miles (0.80 km)[2]
Lift system11[3]
Snowfall36 inches (91 cm)[1]
WebsiteSkiMadRiver.com

There are 20 trails of various skill levels, a tubing park, two terrain parks, and two beginner areas. Of the resort's 11 total lifts, there are 6 surface lifts, 3 double chair lifts, 1 triple chair lift, and 1 fixed quad lift.[3] Since the annual natural snowfall averages only 36 inches (91 cm), Mad River Mountain has the largest snow making system in Ohio, with 130 snow cannons that cover all of its trails.[1]

The resort lies off U.S. Route 33 east of the city of Bellefontaine. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Campbell Hill, Ohio's highest point, and it is near the source of the Mad River. The resort's iconic bar venue called 'The Loft' caught fire on September 16, 2015, and was considered a total loss.[5] Local firm Thomas & Marker Construction was chosen to prepare the resort for the 2015-2016 winter season. The site was demolished and temporary structures were erected in October 2015.[6][7] A new lodge has been constructed.[8]

Notable employees

In the early 1980s Olympic medalist Putzi Frandl was employed as a ski instructor at the resort.[9] Louie Vito, Olympic snowboard medalist got his start at Mad River Mountain, and sponsors a rail jam and food drive for a local pantry each year.

References
  1. SkiSite: Mad River Mountain
  2. OnTheSnow.com: Mad River Overview
  3. RSN: Mad River Mountain Archived 2008-10-19 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Weiker, Jim. "Vail Resorts buys Mad River Mountain, 16 other ski slopes". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  5. Zachariah, Holly (17 September 2015). "Investigators search for cause of Mad River ski lodge fire". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  6. "Blog | SkiMadRiver.com". skimadriver.com. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
  7. Rodzinka, Paul. "Construction underway for new lodge at Mad River Mountain". WDTN. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
  8. "New $6.5M lodge at Mad River Mountain almost complete after fire". SpringfieldNewsSun.com.
  9. Bellefontaine Examiner, Olympic Skier at MRM January 13, 1983
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