Ohio’s premier ski resort is getting ready for the season as Snow Trails welcomes guests and winter sports enthusiasts on Saturday, November 21, for its annual Pre-Season Party, featuring a free fireworks display, live entertainment, and a first look at improvements made in preparation for its 66th season. The festivities will offer a chance to reconnect with fellow skiers, snowboarders, and tubing enthusiasts before the slopes open for another winter of outdoor recreation.
The venue has historically drawn attendance from the Galion area and is an easy drive from here.
The party is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 7:00 PM and fireworks lighting up the sky at 8:30 PM.
A Night of Fireworks and Music
The evening’s centerpiece will be a colorful fireworks display over the resort, with spectators invited to gather at the base of the Mt. Mansfield Slope or watch from the Ski Lodge Deck. Following the fireworks, The Thirsty Travelers will take the stage at 9:00 PM for a live performance. There is no cover charge for the entertainment. The Snowflake Loft Bar will open at 7:00 PM, and the evening will also feature a ski industry movie as part of the resort’s Guest and Passholder Appreciation Night.
The celebration has become a way for Snow Trails to bring its winter community together before the first chairlifts begin carrying skiers uphill.
A Resort Preparing for Its 66th Season
Beyond the celebration, Snow Trails has been busy making improvements throughout the property. The resort, which has welcomed winter sports enthusiasts since 1961, has invested in chairlift upgrades, snowmaking equipment, lighting, and guest facilities ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Among the most significant projects is the installation of new chairs on the Alpine Triple Chairlift, providing updated structural support and smoother rides. The Silver Triple Chairlift has received new tower tops designed to accommodate bright LED lighting, along with an updated communication system. Both chairlifts have also received fresh coats of paint.
Snowmaking improvements include new SMI Grizzly snowmakers dedicated to the Silver Bullet Trail and an additional tower-mounted snow gun on Possum Trail. Ten existing tower snow guns have been rebuilt to prepare them for the coming season.
These investments are particularly important at a resort where snowmaking plays a major role in establishing and maintaining ski conditions through Ohio’s unpredictable winters.
Improvements Extend Beyond the Slopes
Visitors to the resort’s tubing park will find another major addition this season. A new Tubing Center brings the ticket window, restrooms, offices, and snow tube storage together under one roof. Electrical upgrades have also been completed in the tubing area.
Elsewhere, Snow Trails has upgraded 30 older slope lights with LED fixtures, improved sections of the Rental Center parking lot, and continued maintenance on its snow grooming equipment. Skiers and snowboarders can also look forward to new and refreshed terrain park features, along with updated rental equipment.
The improvements are part of the resort’s ongoing efforts to maintain its facilities and provide a dependable winter recreation experience for visitors from across Ohio.
A Chance to Get Ready for Winter
The November 21 celebration will also provide opportunities for visitors to prepare for the upcoming season.
The Snow Trails Ski Shop will be open from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM, offering one-day specials on the latest 2027 ski and snowboard gear, apparel, and accessories. Guest Services will be available from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM for those interested in season passes, lockers, or having their pass photographs taken. The resort will also provide information about winter employment opportunities for those interested in joining the Snow Trails team.
The Countdown to Opening Day
Located at 3100 Possum Run Road, just off Interstate 71 south of Mansfield, Snow Trails offers 21 skiing and snowboarding trails, five terrain parks, and a tubing park with lanes stretching as long as 1,100 feet. The resort typically operates from December into March, depending on weather and snowmaking conditions. Snowmaking generally begins around Thanksgiving when temperatures permit, although an official opening date has not yet been announced. snowtrails.com+1
For now, the focus is on celebrating the approach of another winter. And while the slopes may not yet be covered in snow, the November 21 festivities promise plenty of excitement, with fireworks overhead, music in the lodge, and anticipation building for the first runs of the season. Additional information about the party and the resort’s preparations is available through Snow Trails’ official event page.