No less than nine Heartland ski areas are celebrating significant milestones this year. All have been in business at least 60 years and one started 85 years ago, according to the National Ski Areas Association.

The abrupt end to the ski season, amid all the confusion, has prompted some Midwestern ski areas and resorts to push back the deadline for securing next season's annual pass at the best price point. Some have pushed the deadline to the end of this month, and others have pushed it back even further.

Spring skiing at Lutsen Mountains overlooking Lake Superior. (Facebook)

Although it's been an up and down weather pattern across the Heartland and Great Lakes, across the northern tier they are in good shape heading into March.

Three lower Midwest ski areas have some fun events coming up later this month. Clinics, family festivals and the Heartland’s first winter carnival take place in February.

Ohio’s Clear Fork Ski Resort has once again closed. It is scheduled for a sheriff’s sale this month after a judge ordered foreclosure on the property to recover a nearly $2.5 million loan debt.

Typically Buckeye skiers and riders have about a month left to get out on Ohio’s slopes. Ohio ski resorts are offering numerous incentives right now to get out and enjoy some of the best conditions of the season.

Snowboarders in Lower Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, now’s your chance to ride with an Olympian. Louie Vito, Olympian and 2012 overall champion of the U. S. Grand Prix and Dew Cup, is coming to Ohio’s Mad River Mountain for his annual rail jam Saturday, Dec. 29. It’s one of the largest rail jams in the Heartland.