Snow much fun

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.

The Winter of ’25-26 has already etched itself into the record books for heavy snowfall and frigid temps. We could see this as cause to stay inside by a fire, or an exhilarating invitation to adventure through the snow-capped landscapes of Lake County.

Mimi caught up with Outdoor Connections Manager Dominic Catanese for a snowfall update from Lake Metroparks.

“We’ve enjoyed near-perfect conditions, measuring more than 19 inches of snow during a single storm in late January,” he says. “More people than ever are basking in the serenity of our breathtaking terrain. Everything looks like a snow globe. We’ve already rented more than 1,500 cross country skis and 300 snowshoes.”

He reports that snowshoeing is a growing trend this year. 

“No matter your age or ability, if you can walk, you can snowshoe,” Dominic says. “The shoe spreads your weight out so you feel like you’re floating on top of the snow. It makes hiking easier in heavy snow. We encourage people to hit our marked trails, as well as carve their own path off-trail and be one with nature.”

To round out any activity at the Pine Lodge Ski Center at Chapin Forest Reservation, Dominic says people like to hang out après-ski or snowshoeing and enjoy a hot cocoa or coffee gathered around the “river of fire” feature with 12 linear feet of roaring fire. They also enjoy making a night of it on the one-mile illuminated trail at Chapin Forest that’s picturesque for evening skiing or hiking.

Rentals of snowshoes and cross-country ski equipment are available at the Ski Center, and trails are also found at Girdled Road Reservation and Penitentiary Glen Reservation.

Another pastime that requires no skills is sledding. You’ll find plenty of thrills on the hills, with varying slopes at Hidden Valley Park, Riverview Park, Chagrin River Park and Chapin Forest Reservation.

Lake Metroparks provides more than four million visitors each year with educational and recreational programs and activities. For daily ski conditions, call the Winter Sports Hotline at 440-256-2118, x4178, or for more information, visit LakeMetroparks.com.