MANSFIELD — Gray skies served as the backdrop for this year’s Winter Ski Carnival at Snow Trails.
It was the type of weather that reminds natives this is north central Ohio, after all, and despite the unseasonably warm conditions over the past few days, Saturday’s chilly weather wasn’t unusual for this time of year.
Since its establishment, Snow Trails has hosted an annual carnival, now in its 56th year. The two-day event, which continues tomorrow, features a variety of festivities and competitions, including the Nesquik Kid’s Challenge, Bikini and Chippendale Slalom races, Yard Sale Pick-Up, Cardboard Creation Race, Skier/Boarder Cross Race and the Mt. Dew Slush Cup.
Carson Wolfe, 7, was one of 16 participants in the Nesquik Kid’s Challenge. The competition was broken into three age groups: (five and under), (six- and seven-year-olds) and (eight- and nine-year-olds).
Wolfe said he won his age group last year and that he felt good out on the slopes.
“The snow was really slick,” he said.
Alexis Cawrse, 7, placed second in her age group. The Mansfield Spanish Immersion student said she began learning how to ski at just two years old–her uncles provided the lessons.
“I did feel good,” she said of her race.
Other visitors of the winter resort took to the slopes for a day of fun.
Amber Harris, a Wooster native who currently resides in Indiana, said she was in town visiting family and that she had never been to Snow Trails before Saturday. She said she learned how to ski in Germany.
Ryan Teynor, Kyle Jones and Evan Kardasz could be found at the far end of the resort, known as the Woods Park. They’ve frequented Snow Trails since they toddlers and have traveled to different places in the country to go skiing and snowboarding.
“We try to go out west at least once a year and do Holiday Valley weekend trips in New York,” Teynor said.
Asked if they planned on participating in any of the carnival competitions, they said the Skier Cross Race, the Giant Slalom Race, the Couples Challenge and the Mt. Dew Slush Cup.
They said that the Slush Cup is the best.
“Basically you start at the top of the hill and go as fast as you can into a pond of water and try and skim across the whole thing,” Kardasz said.
Teynor said he tried to get his friend Jones to participate in the Chippendale competition in which contestants sport Speedos for the race.
“He didn’t shave his chest today,” Teynor joked.
The Winter Ski Carnival continues on Sunday. Below is a schedule of events. Snow Trails will be open from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. for regular skiing and snowboarding, as well as tubing.
- 11 a.m.: Carnival Giant Slalom Race
- Noon: Costume Contest
- Noon: Couples Challenge
- 1:30 p.m.: Cardboard Creation Race
- 3 p.m.: Slush Cup
- 4:30 p.m.: Awards presentation
