Photo by Scott McCloskey – Dozens of skiers and snowboarders take advantage of the Oglebay Park Ski Facility Monday despite the quickly melting snow.

WHEELING – Despite milder temperatures in the upper Ohio Valley Monday, dozens of people took advantage of the quickly melting snow left over from last week’s storm while visiting the Oglebay Park ski facility.

Skiers and snowboarders of all ages navigated through a heavier wet snow brought on by the rising temperatures. Some visitors said they just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to ski locally while the weather permits, as warmer temperatures and rain are in the forecast this week. Several visitors said the Oglebay facility provides a great opportunity for their children to experience skiing or snowboarding while having fun with an outdoor activity where people can remain socially distant.

While he wasn’t skiing himself, Jay Hunt of Wheeling said he wanted to give daughters Kaylee and Jayma the opportunity for some fun on the slopes for the first time this season. Hunt said he taught his daughters to ski at a very early age and they have spent a lot of time on the Oglebay slopes over the years.

“It’s convenient and I think a lot of area kids learn here and then they can go to Seven Springs or Snowshoe or other areas,” Hunt explained. “It’s a big benefit to have it here.”

Rayland native Jara Packer said she and her husband Brent thought the Oglebay Park ski facility would provide the perfect spot for their family to learn how to ski before they head back home to Dublin, Ohio, following a visit with family over the Christmas holiday. She said many of their friends frequently travel to ski resort destinations around the country and her family just wanted to give the winter sport a try at a smaller spot.

“We’re back for the holidays, but we wanted to try some skiing,” Packer explained. She said her sons, Owen and Gavin, have really been wanting to learn how to ski for quite some time. She said it didn’t take long for one of her sons to quickly catch on as he was zipping down the hill not long after they arrived.

“Somebody gave him a couple of pointers. They were so kind, because we are new at this,” Packer explained. “They gave him a couple of pointers and that’s all he needed. … It’s a much smaller place to be able to learn.”

The Oglebay ski facility is scheduled to be open daily this holiday week, weather permitting, according to Rod Haley, executive vice-president of Wheeling Park Commission. Haley said the park plans to make snow through Tuesday morning as they currently have “limited terrain” at the ski facility.

Beginning next week, weather permitting, the facility’s hours of operations will be 4-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m-9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. For more information, including daily conditions or hours of operations, call the park’s Ski Hotline at 304-243-4177.