Mad River Mountain

Mad River Mountain
Aerial view of Mad River Mountain from the east
Location	Valley Hi, Ohio (Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio)
Nearest city	Bellefontaine, Ohio
Coordinates	40°18′58.74″N 83°40′50.03″W / 40.3163167°N 83.6805639°W / 40.3163167; -83.6805639
Top elevation	1,460 feet (450 m)
Base elevation	1,160 feet (350 m)
Skiable area	144 acres (0.58 km2)
Runs	23
Longest run	.5 miles (0.80 km)
Lift system	12
Snowfall	36 inches (91 cm)
Website	SkiMadRiver.com

Mad River Mountain is a ski and snowboard resort in Valley Hi, Ohio, United States. The elevation of Mad River Mountain is 1,460 feet (450 m) with a vertical drop of 300 ft (91 m), and it has a ski season that runs from December 1 through March 16. The resort, which opened in 1962, as Valley Hi Ski Area, is owned and operated by Peak Resorts.

There are 23 trails of various skill levels, a tubing park, three terrain parks, and two beginner areas. Of the resort's 12 total lifts, there are 6 surface lifts, 6 chair lifts, and 1 fixed quad lift. Since the annual natural snowfall averages only 36 inches (91 cm), Mad River Mountain has the largest snow making system in Ohio, with 130 snow cannons that cover 100% of the trails.

The resort lies off U.S. Route 33 east of the city of Bellefontaine. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Campbell Hill, Ohio's highest point, and it is near the source of the Mad River. The resort's iconic bar venue called 'The Loft' caught fire on September 16, 2015, and is considered a total loss. Local firm Thomas & Marker Construction was chosen to prepare the resort for the 2015-2016 winter season. The site was demolished and temporary structures were erected October 2015. A new lodge has been constructed and is in its final stages for the 2016-2017 season. Mad River Mountain proudly shows off its new $6.5M lodge which they claim will draw many customers back for the upcoming season.

In the early 1980s Olympic medalist Putzi Frandl was employed as a ski instructor at the resort.