RIP Clyde Allen Perfect, Founder Of Perfect North Ski Area

Clyde Allen Perfect, 87, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 surrounded by family. He was born on May 23, 1933 in Delaware County, Ohio, the first child of the late Leroy and Esther Perfect.

Clyde graduated from Colerain High School where he met his wife, Ella Mae Smith. They married in 1952, settled in Colerain Township and started a family. During this time Clyde built Perfect Brickwork, a successful brick contracting business. In 1965 they moved with their 5 children to a farm on Tanner's Creek near Guilford, Indiana. With the help of his wife and children, Clyde created Perfect Stock Farm and raised cattle and crops, while still operating the brick business in Cincinnati. In 1980, Clyde and his family opened Perfect North Slopes ski area on their 200-acre farm. Perfect North Slopes has grown into one of the most successful ski areas in the Midwest, and a major employer in the community.

Perfect North was formed by the Perfect Family and others in 1980. Initially funded by the sale of cattle by Clyde & Ella Mae Perfect, it began with 2 handle tows and a rope tow on two ski runs on the "big" hill, as well as 2 rope tows on the bunny slope. In 1984, a chair was added where the "big" rope tow was, and another chair was added in 1985. In 1987, Perfect North added their third chairlift, which added one blue square and two black diamond ski runs. Eventually, they added two more chairs, including their 5th chair, which opened up 4 new ski runs.

Perfect North did not allow snowboarding until 2002. It was one of the last ski resorts in America to still refuse snowboarders.

Perfect North was also where notable Olympic Freestyle Skier Nick Goepper got his start. Growing up about 15 minutes from the slopes, Nick used to spend up to 12 hours a day training at Perfect North before beginning his track to stardom and eventually competing in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.  Four years later, in Pyoeongchang, South Korea, Goepper excitedly asked "what's up Perfect North?" to the camera after his first qualifying run in the slopestyle competition, scoring a 92.80. 

Perfect North Slopes, consists of 5 magic carpets, 2 rope tows, and 5 chairlifts. The area has 23 trails, 1 of which is expert, 3 of which are most difficult, 2 of which are advanced intermediate, 12 of which are intermediate (including three terrain parks), and 5 of which are beginner.

On November 20th, 2019, Perfect North purchased the land and assets of Timberline Four Seasons Resort in a Philadelphia bankruptcy court.[5] The Timberline resort lies at the eastern slope of the Canaan Valley near Davis, West Virginia. Timberline, along with the neighboring Cannan Valley Ski Resort, receives an outsized amount of snow relative to the surrounding areas. Timberline had fallen into disrepair over the previous several years, suffering sporadic broken lifts and other infrastructure deficiencies. A new management team intends to revitalize the operation in time for the 2020-2021 ski season.

Clyde was passionately involved with the Dearborn County 4-H organization. He was one of the top buyers at Kiwanis Livestock Auction where he volunteered as a sale ringman for over 50 years. He also assisted the Miller York Volunteer Fire Department with fundraising, and hosted many family reunions and parties at the ski area. He was proud of his family, and especially enjoyed his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Ella Mae Perfect; daughter, Tarry Feiss (husband Todd); son, Chip Perfect (wife Ellen); son, Ken Perfect (wife Sharon); daughter, Penny Rollins (husband Jerry); daughter, Jill Guzman (husband David); 12 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.