Polar Blast Snow Tubing

Photos by OHventures

In winter months, the Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort (or BMBW for short) located in the northern Summit County town of Peninsula is a fine getaway for those looking for some snowy adventures. BMBW conjures up great memories for me, as I began coming here every wintry Thursday evening as part of my high school's official Ski Club. We hopped on an old yellow bus and drove an hour and a half to what at the time seemed to be enormous eskers. It was then that I learned everything I really needed to know about skiing - from how to walk (more like waddle) in the skis, how and when to utilize the poles, and of course how to zip down the slopes with the greatest of ease. Even though I have been skiing there for nearly 20 years, this weekend was my first-ever trip to the resort's Polar Blast Snow Tubing attraction - and what a BLAST it was!

Snow tubing is the perfect winter activity, as it requires minimal (nearly zero) skill, and is something in which people of most any age can easily participate! All it requires is an inner tube filled with air and a large snow-covered hill - both of which Polar Blast provides for you at a very reasonable cost ($25 for 3 hours or $59 for an all-day pass). The Polar Blast hills are specifically used for snow tubing, so you won't have to worry about sharing the hillside with skiers and snowboarders!

READ MORE AT OHIO.ORG!

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Photos by OHventures

ALL ABOARD the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad!

While this is one of the oldest tourist excursion railways in the country, it is one of the most recent attractions I have visited on my growing Buckeye Bucket List!

The CVSR can be found in Northeast Ohio, running through the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (the one and only national park in the state of Ohio). The main portion of the railway runs northbound from Akron in Summit County, all the way to Independence in Cuyahoga County. There are smaller stops along the way, such as at the town of Peninsula. Occasional trips are planned to Canton as well, but they have not been on the regular schedule since 2012.

There are many ways in which one can experience the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The most common way is by purchasing a round trip ticket, boarding at any one of the stations, and taking the full 3 hour ride. You can get coach seats (seats are in sections of 2 seats facing 2 seats), first class seating (cushioned seats in sections of 2 seats facing 2 seats, with plenty of leg room), and upper dome seating (elevated section with a panoramic view of the National Park). 

This is a great way to see the beautiful landscapes roll by: trees, rivers, hillsides, meadows, and some residential areas. You can take an audio tour (called "Voices of the Valley") upon request. Wearing this set of headphones will allow you to hear the tales of the history of the National Park, some facts about the wildlife, and more. 

You could also opt out of the audio tour, and simply enjoy the company of the fellow passengers and the knowledgeable volunteer staff. On my recent trip, the staff pointed out a large eagle's nest, and told us some more fun facts along the way. Take a book or magazine to read, and definitely a camera or camera phone to capture some of the scenery. A snack bar is located in one of the cars in the back of the train, which offers hot dogs, popcorn, chips, candy, beer, wine, soda, and more! There are also souvenirs, like shot glasses, stuffed animals, and t-shirts.

Aside from a regular trip, there are many extremely creative and exciting special events that take place at different times of the year. Some of these events include:

Grape Escape: A 2-hour wine tasting excursion, with 5 different wines paired with hors d'oeuvres. There are several Grape Escape themes, such as California Wines, Summer Wines, and Ohio Wines.

Ales On Rails: Much like Grape Escape, but with beer instead of wine! You get 5 different beers paired with hors d'oeuvres. Again, different themes exist for each ride, including: Hoppin' Frog Beers, Summer Brews, and Thirsty Dog Brewing Company Beers.

Bike Aboard!: This special feature allows you to bring your bike on board the train for just $3. However, this is just a one-way trip! Take it to another station and then bike back to your car at your starting point!

Polar Express: This extremely popular event takes kids and their families on a holiday themed train ride the the "North Pole!" Complete with elves, Santa Claus, hot cocoa, and a train station transformed to look like it's straight from the famous children's book!

Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner: Special meals are served for those that want to dine on more than just snacks during their train ride. Tickets go fast, so if you want to have this cool dining experience, be sure to plan ahead!

There are tons of other fun events, such as a "Day Out With Thomas The Tank Engine," and Murder Mystery experiences, so be sure to check the website.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is something everyone should try in one form or another! 

Ledges Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Photos by OHventures

The Ledges Area Trails

701 Truxell Road
Peninsula, OH 44264

Visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park can be overwhelming if you don’t head up with a game plan! As Ohio’s one and only National Park, CVNP is a behemoth with so much to uncover, and a diverse array of scenery and activities. It’s best to break up the park into “sections” and tackle each of these areas over a series of days, or over the course of several separate visits to the area.

Previously, we dished on the details of two popular portions of the park, Kendall Lake and the Lock 29 Trailhead. Recently, we visited another section of the park, the Ledges Area Trails, where we hiked the Ledges Trail, located just off of Truxell Road/Kendall Park Road on the south end, and just off of State Route 303 on the north end.

The Ledges Trail itself is a 1.8 mile loop that circles the Ritchie Ledges. The ledges are at some points as high as 100 feet, and so it is incredibly important to use caution when hiking or standing near the edge. The rocky terrain and slight change in elevation ranks this trail as moderate in difficulty.

The primary reason you should take a visit to The Ledges Trail is so that you can catch a gorgeous glimpse from what is known as The Overlook. As the most popular overlook in the park, this rock outcropping gives an unbeatable view of the Cuyahoga Valley (it kind of reminds me of Pride Rock in The Lion King). Since it faces west, it is the ideal spot for beautiful sunset views, and the perfect setting for a picnic. So, pack your food and be sure to plan your dinner around a visit to The Overlook!

The Ice Box Cave is also located along The Ledges Trail, but is currently closed for bat protection. In the center of the large Ledges Trail loop is the Ledges Shelter House, along with a large, open field – a popular spot for camping. Consider bringing along a tent and camping supplies for an overnight stay in the area. While we did not opt to camp on our most recent visit, there were plenty of tents pitched in the field, with a fire pit for roasting marshmallows, and a telescope for stargazing nearby.

Also in the Ledges Area are three smaller and easier trails to hike: Pine Grove Trail (1.5 miles), Forest Point Trail (0.5 miles), and Haskell Run Trail (0.5 miles). If you obtain a map on site, you can find trail connectors that can guide you to each of these small loops in the area. My suggestion is to definitely try the Haskell Run Trail, as it is connected to The Ledges Trail by a tall set of concrete steps that are a sight to see!

If you’re feeling especially adventurous, and you happen to have more time on hand, you should be sure to hike the Pine Grove Trail, and afterwards take the trail connector at the southern end of the loop to cross Truxell Road and head to the Lake Trail & Kendall Shelter. You can read all about the Lake Trail in our previous write-up.

Once you’ve conquered The Ledges Trail, you will be primed for even more exploring in the vast Cuyahoga Valley National Park!

Skiing in Northeast Ohio

Photos by OHventures

Boston Mills & Brandywine Ski Resort

1146 West Highland Road

Northfield, OH

(330) 467-2242

If you're used to skiing in the snowcapped mountaintops of the great Rockies or lush Sierras out West, unfortunately, you very well may be gravely disappointed with the skiing options at your fingertips in Ohio. The hills in Ohio are miniscule bunny hills compared to the astronomical ascents in places like Colorado, California, and Utah. However, if you have never partaken in the wintry sports of skiing and snowboarding, if you are merely a novice, or if you simply need a mini thrill before zooming down real mountains, there are several ski resorts in the state that will do you just fine.

One of the most notable ski complexes in the state is the Boston Mills & Brandywine Ski Resort (AKA BMBW), located in Summit County in the towns of Northfield and Sagamore Hills. There are two separate polar parks for you to choose from and explore (Boston Mills, and Brandywine, naturally). Each of these parks costs about $41 for admission ($36 for children), although cheaper deals exist depending on the time of day or the day of the week.

You are free to bring your own equipment, but if you are like me, you have to rent. Both snowboard and ski rentals cost approximately $30 ($25 for children). If you are truly new to the game, you may get a bit overwhelmed at first with the entire process, but there are plenty of courtesy staffers on hand that will make sure you get just the right size of blades according to your weight, height, and skill level. The larger of the two resorts is Brandywine (much MUCH better than its counterpart...my advice is to skip Boston Mills altogether if you want my honest opinion).

Once you're all bundled up and strapped in, the real fun begins. If you are worried about the lack of snow, they do have snow machines that create some fake white stuff that, while not nearly as good as the real stuff, gets the job done and is better than nothing. You can compare the above photos (taken on the same day) to see how much fake snow exists as the "base" for winter sports enthusiasts on mild days.

BMBW is a fine getaway that conjures up great memories for me, as I began coming here each and every Thursday evening as part of my high school's official Ski Club. We hopped on an old yellow bus and drove an hour and a half to what at the time seemed to be enormous eskers. It is then that I learned everything I really needed to know about skiing - from how to walk (more like waddle) in the skis, how and when to utilize the poles, and of course how to zip down the slopes with the greatest of ease.