Login | February 23, 2026
NE Ohio cross country ski conditions considered exceptional
PETE GLADDEN
Published: February 23, 2026
Have you had the hankering over the past several winters to give cross-country skiing a shot, but due to the lack of good skiable snow, closed courses and/or the unavailability of rental gear you could never actually make it happen?
Well, this winter just might be your best opportunity to see what cross-country skiing’s “full body workout” is all about. Because other than this current winter and the winter of 2024-25 we haven’t seen this much good quality skiing snow for a decade.
Matter of fact the ski conditions seen here in Northeast Ohio right now are considered exceptionally rare!
So with that as this week’s theme, here’s several NE Ohio venues where, with no gear and no experience, you can still dip your toes into the highly aerobic world of Nordic skiing.
1) Lake MetroParks - https://www.lakemetroparks.com/events-activities/activities/cross-country-skiing-snowshoeing/
Chapin Forest in Kirkland is probably the premier cross country ski venue in NE Ohio for both classic and skate skiing. What’s more you’ll be able to not only ski on some amazingly well groomed trails, but you’ll also be able to get fitted into and rent out the proper ski gear to do it.
The heavily wooded landscape in Chapin Forest contains flat & easy trails as well as hilly & challenging trails, and it’s very much similar to some of the cross country ski venues I’d run into up in Finland and Norway years ago.
Even more impressive is the fact that you can experience some night skiing just as the Scandinavians do what with the park’s wonderful one-mile lighted ski loop.
2) Punderson State Park - https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/punderson-state-park
Located at 11755 Kinsman Rd, Newbury Township, OH 44065, Punderson SP is another of NE Ohio’s top cross country ski destinations, this primarily because Punderson’s smack dab in NE Ohio's snow belt.
Thus, if there’s plenty of snow then Punderson’s ski conditions are usually good.
It’s 1.3-mile Huron Trail is kept well groomed and is appropriate for all ability levels. Also available are the Mohawk, Cayuga and Beach trails which can also be used for cross country skiing.
3) The Lodge at Geneva On The Lake - https://www.thelodgeatgeneva.com/stay/snowshoe-and-ski-rental/
You can get your rental equipment at the Lodge and then head out to the six-plus miles of multi-use trails at Geneva On The Lake State Park. The scenic Geneva Orange Trail is an asphalt multi-purpose trail along the lake, which in the winter during good snow conditions is skiable.
4) Quail Hollow - https://starkparks.com/things_to_do/winter.php
Located at 13480 Congress Lake Ave. NE near Hartville, Quail Hollow offers cross-country ski trails (nine-plus miles worth), instruction and equipment rental.
Here you’ll find gently rolling terrain consisting of wide open meadows, marshes, deep deciduous woods and groves of pine where most of the trails are easy to moderate.
5) Cleveland MetroParks - https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/activities/winter-activities
So skiing is allowed on most of the bridle, hiking, and all-purpose trails in the Cleveland MetroParks district, as well as on the fairways and roughs of Big Met, Little Met, Shawnee Hills, Seneca, Mastick Woods, and Sleepy Hollow golf courses when there’s a four-inch snow base.
You can get fitted and rent your ski equipment at the Big Met golf course.
Cleveland MetroParks suggests using many of its foot trails for cross-country skiing, trails like the Boston Run Trail, the Cross Country Trail & Pine Grove Trail at the Kendall Lake Trailhead, in addition to the Oak Hill Trail & the Plateau Trail at the Oak Hill Trailhead.
But for those of you who are cross-country ski newbies - do not attempt to ski the aforementioned foot trails.
That’s because they’re not groomed and are usually littered with footprints. Not only that, but many of them contain far too many steep hills and descents that would be hazardous for new skiers.
Novice skiers are much better off skiing on the Cleveland MetroParks golf courses where the terrain is flatter and the ski trails may even be groomed.
So there it is - if you’ve never strapped on a pair of cross country skis, well, this just might be one of the best winters in years to make your move.