Top Family Friendly Winter Activities in Mason, OH

Mason, Ohio, is a magical place to live or visit in winter. It’s home to a broad range of entertaining and family-friendly winter activity options. Here are a few of our favorite winter activities in Mason that you can enjoy with the whole family.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding

Image via Flickr by Stanislav Ochotnicky

Two locations near Mason are perfect for outdoor skiing and snowboarding: Mad River Mountain and Perfect North Slopes. You can find the former at 1000 Snow Valley Road in nearby Zanesfield and the latter at 19074 Perfect Lane in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Mad River Mountain is the largest ski resort in the state, covering 144 acres of mountainous and snowy terrain. The mountain’s elevation is 1,460 feet, and it has total snowmaking coverage. The 12 ski lifts include six chair lifts, a rope tow, a pair of handle tows, and three surface carpets. This park is home to an incredible 20 ski and snowboard trails and a terrain park, all graded for enthusiasts with different skill levels.

Perfect North Slopes allows skiing, snowboarding, and snow-tubing. The site features five bench lifts, six carpet lifts, and a pair of tow lifts. It features 22 trails, a pair of terrain parks, and an expansive beginner’s area. The beginner’s area is ideal for the youngest of ski and snowboard enthusiasts and for those who are new to the sport.

Trails are marked Easy, More Difficult, Advanced Intermediate, Most Difficult, and Most Difficult – Use Caution. This classification setup makes it easy for skiers and snowboarders to find the right trails and avoid slopes that are too challenging or obstacle-heavy for their skill level.

Ice Skating

The area around Mason, Ohio, is packed with a multitude of locations ideal for ice skating. Options include the Indian Hill Winter Club in Camp Dennison, Sports Plus in Cincinnati, Northland Ice Center in Cincinnati, South Metro Sports in Centerville, South Metro Ice Center in Dayton, Stonelick State Park in Pleasant Plain, UC Health Ice Rink in Cincinnati, Fountain Square in Cincinnati, and East Fork State Park in Bethel. Mason sits at the center of these map points, putting all within easy reach.

These rinks are ideal for recreational ice skating, sledge hockey, ice hockey, broomball, figure skating, speed skating, and curling, so you’re sure to find an activity you, your friends, and your family will enjoy. Ice skate rental availability and pricing vary between rinks, as do entrance fees and their related time periods, so call ahead or check websites for details. The UC Health Ice Rink has a unique feature that kids, teens, and adults alike will love: ice rink bumper cars.

Cross-Country Skiing

For those on the hunt for a strenuous challenge over long and snowy distances, cross-country skiing is the way to go. Ohio’s state parks are the best places to carry out this invigorating and rewarding pastime. Caesar Creek, Cowan Lake, Stonelick, and East Fork state parks are the closest to Mason. Other nearby options include Sycamore, Hueston, John Brian, Buck Creek, Kiser Lake, and Paint Creek state parks.

While downhill skiing takes place on mountains and large hills, cross-country skiing covers a multitude of terrain types, including ascents, descents, and flats. Cross-country skiing also requires shorter, heavier, and firmer skis than the long, light, flexible skis of downhill skiing.

Each state park is properly outfitted for cross-country skiing through the installation of dozens of electric charge and use sites, a set of full hookup sites, camp stores, ramps, campsites, and activity sites. These parks also accommodate activities such as archery, boating, ice fishing, hunting, picnicking, trail hiking, and many other forms of recreation. Check the regulations, fees, trail lengths, and equipment standards of the park you want to visit. Easy trails are usually a few miles long, while the more challenging ones can be between 20 and 30 miles long.

Renting a Cabin for a Weekend Getaway

Cabins across Ohio are well-equipped during the winter, so consider renting one as a weekend retreat for you and your family. On cold days, it’s fun to snuggle up with those dearest to you and enjoy the beauty and wonder of winter from the warmth of a cabin. The range and quality of cabins vary greatly, so you should be able to find one at your ideal price point. Prices range from below $100 a night to several hundred a night.

Consider renting a cabin near attractions you and your family enjoy. Mountain cabins, for example, are perfect for active visitors who like to hike and ski. Lake and riverfront cabins offer beautiful views and serene settings.

If you’re out for a romantic getaway rather than a family vacation, consider the views from the cabins you want to rent. Many cabin rental sites include pictures or videos of the views so you know what to expect. Cabins with fireplaces and fire pits are ideal for group excursions. Make sure your cabin has all the appliances your family needs for easy living. A cabin without a washer or dryer might be inconvenient if you’ve packed a limited set of clothes or expect the kids to get wet and muddy.

Attending a Winter Market Festival

Ohio has a spectacular selection of winter market festivals. The Holly Fair Pancake Breakfast, Crafts Show, and Business Expo takes place Nov. 20 at Goshen High School. It’s open to shoppers from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Deck The Halls Christmas Bazaar will celebrate its 33rd year on Nov. 13 at 20 Desales Avenue in Lebanon. There you’ll find homemade crafts, Christmas items, antique collections, religious items, book vendors, and a great deal more. Check out the basket raffles and silent auctions, and enjoy the lunch that comes with your ticket.

You and your loved ones are sure to have a grand time experiencing these winter activities. Try them out over the course of the next few weekends. If we missed one of your favorite activities or events, please contact us and let us know. We’ll add it to our list.

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