By Morgan Monesmith

Cleveland is certainly not known for its large mountains and ski resorts. However, there are a few options in the area and a short drive away that are perfect for a weekend getaway. 

Boston Mills

This ski resort is perfect for intermediates who are looking to challenge themselves. Boston Mills has a bunny hill, a blue run, and three blacks. It is never too crowded, and the lift lines are generally short.

Brandywine

Brandywine has the most slopes out of any of the resorts in the Cleveland area. There are three greens, three blues, and three black runs. However, I find these runs to be a little bit shorter than those you would find at Boston Mills. Also, this resort can be very crowded on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from local ski clubs. 

Alpine Valley

I generally find Alpine Valley to be way less crowded than Boston Mills and Brandywine. There are 6 slopes: two green, three blue, and one black. It is a great fit for beginners who are looking to try some blue runs.

Peek n Peak

This resort is roughly two hours away from Cleveland. It is pretty large with 27 slopes, four terrain parks, and 10 lifts. I usually spend just a day at Peek n Peak which is often enough to hit all the slopes a few times. 

Holiday Valley

My personal favorite resort on this is about three hours away from Cleveland. However, it is much larger than anything you can find in our area and is well worth the drive. There are 60 slopes, 13 lifts, and five terrain parks. Holiday Valley is great for a two day trip with a visit to the town of Ellicottville where there is great dining and shopping. 

If you are looking to ski somewhere close, these are five options to choose from based on your preferences. Although they can not compare to the much larger resorts in Colorado or out West, they are great ski resorts to have nearby.