By 1812Blockhouse
Snow Trails hasn’t opened the lifts yet, but the energy around the mountain says winter is already here.
On Saturday, November 22, the resort throws its annual Pre-Season Party, a night full of fireworks, live music, cold beer, and a ski film that is free to watch. It feels like a pep rally and a reunion at the same time. For many, it marks the unofficial start of winter in north central Ohio.
A Day That Feels Like Opening Weekend
The mountain starts to come alive long before the evening festivities.
From 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the Snow Trails Ski Shop is open with brand new 2026 gear and apparel. This is where people who swear they are not buying anything else somehow walk out with new gloves or a jacket they did not know they needed.
At Guest Services from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, staff help with season passes, locker info, and winter job openings. If you need a new pass photo, you can take care of that too. No judgment if the first photo looks like a driver license picture and you ask for a second try.
The Night Comes Alive
The doors open at 7:00 PM. The Snowflake Loft Bar starts to fill with chatter and the sound of glasses clinking. Nocterra Brewing Co. is on hand for tastings of their craft beers, an early clue that the night is shifting from casual to festive.
At 7:30 PM, the ski industry film begins. It is free, it is open to the public, and it offers the simple pleasure of watching skiers and snowboarders race down mountain ranges while you sit in Mansfield deciding how bold you plan to be this season.
Then comes the big moment.
At 8:30 PM, fireworks light up the sky above Mt. Mansfield. The glow reflects off the lodge deck and the base of the slope. Watching fireworks on a ski hill before the snow arrives feels exciting in a way that is hard to explain. It is winter knocking at the door.
Music That Keeps the Night Going
At 9:00 PM, The Thirsty Travelers take the stage. There is no cover charge. It is just music, cold drinks, and a crowd that has decided the night does not need to end yet. Conversations about gear, favorite runs, or hopes for opening day tend to start fast.
Why This Party Matters
Snow Trails could simply wait for snowmaking to begin. Instead, they throw a celebration for anyone who loves winter and cannot wait another week.
It is free. It is relaxed. It feels like a community gathering where people are genuinely excited to see each other again.
And there is something refreshing about cheering for the winter season while most of the state is still raking leaves.
If You Go
Snow Trails sits just south of Mansfield, in Possum Run Valley. The location is known for cold pockets of air that help snowmaking start early and last longer than expected. The resort is 1.5 miles off I-71 and an easy drive from Columbus or Cleveland.
Schedule for Saturday, November 22:
- 7:00 PM Doors open
- 7:30 PM Ski film screening
- 8:30 PM Fireworks
- 9:00 PM Live music from The Thirsty Travelers
If you want to pick up a season pass, check out the improvements around the resort, or simply enjoy a night that feels like winter without needing snow pants, this is your moment.
Dress warm, bring a friend, and start your winter a little early.
