PENINSULA, Ohio – Consider it a peace offering to the many skiers last year who were frustrated with operations at Northeast Ohio’s three ski resorts: Two new chairlifts, the first since 1986, are ready to whisk skiers to the top of hills at Brandywine and Boston Mills in northern Summit County.
“More uphill capacity, more time on the snow, less time in lines,” promised Jake Campbell, the general manager at Ohio’s Boston Mills, Brandywine and Alpine Valley, all three owned by Vail Resorts.
Campbell, a Hinckley native who learned how to snowboard on these hills, knows that last year wasn’t the ski season anyone wanted – himself included. “We definitely want another shot,” he said, at proving that Vail can successfully operate Ohio’s small, community-oriented ski parks.
Snow tubing, canceled last year because of staffing woes, will be back at Brandywine this year, he said.
And Alpine Valley is getting a new handle tow, which should improve access to several slopes at the top of the park’s hill in Geauga County.
Perhaps most importantly, Vail has promised that all three resorts will be open seven days a week, with various hours to appeal to skiers and boarders both day and night, weekend and weekday.
Last season, Vail came under withering criticism – both in Ohio and across the country – for limited hours and terrain at its many resorts across the United States. The company blamed widespread staffing shortages for the shortcomings.
Earlier this year, Vail increased its starting wage to $20 hour – and that seemed to solve the staffing problem, said Campbell. “I can confidently say we are well staffed right now,” Campbell said in mid-November, though he declined to say how many people Vail employed at the three resorts.
Vail has targeted a Dec. 17 opening day for the three resorts, although that is weather dependent.
The resorts started making snow before Thanksgiving – the earliest snowmaking in years -- thanks to low night-time temperatures. That snow will be saved in piles and spread around the slopes as the parks get closer to opening day.
Campbell said the goal is always to open the parks by the middle of December, in time for schools’ winter holiday breaks. Recently, above-average December temperatures have pushed that day back, sometimes into January.
“Holiday break is huge,” he said. “We want to be open. But we need steady cold weather.”
Whenever the parks open, this is what local skiers will find:
At Boston Mills, the new four-person Buena Vista lift replaces the old two-passenger No. 5 lift on North Bowl. The new lift, named after a restaurant that used to operate at the top of the hill, should dramatically increase uphill capacity and reduce time waiting in lines.
At Brandywine, the new four-passenger Ram Quad replaces the three-passenger No. 3 lift. The Ram Quad is named after Ron A. Morrison, the park’s long-time senior manager of mountain operations. “He’s been an integral part of our operations here for many years,” said Campbell.
Campbell added that the resorts would gradually be renaming all the chairlifts from their current numbers.
The new lifts will also be outfitted with safety bars, he said. Vail added safety bars to two of three lifts at Alpine Valley last year, with plans to add more in the coming years.
“The aim is to have chair bars on all the lifts,” said Campbell. “We’re working toward that.”
Other upgrades for this season include a new rental area and lodge refresh at Alpine Valley, a reorganized rental area at Boston Mills and new LED lights at Boston Mills and Brandywine, part of Vail’s goal of zero net emissions across all resorts by 2030.
Finally, Campbell promised that all three resorts will be open seven days a week, although operating hours will vary from park to park. Daily ticket sales also will be capped to prevent overcrowding.
Will it be enough to win back disgruntled customers from last year?
Longtime Strongsville skier Dale Haberkorn is willing to give the parks another shot.
Frustrated by the reduced hours and long lines last season, Haberkorn vowed that he wouldn’t renew his season pass this year if things didn’t improve. He’s optimistic based on what he’s heard so far. “The new lifts look good and pay was increased to help retain employees,” said Haberkorn, who renewed his pass earlier this year. “Excited for the new season!”
Read more:
Skiing near Cleveland: Prices, amenities, new features at 14 resorts in Ohio, surrounding states
Vail takes over Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs ski resort, with a big perk for Ohio passholders
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