If you’re looking for winter fun in Iowa, you don’t have to look far! There are excellent places for snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing in Iowa. The good news is, most winter recreation areas make snow. So even if there’s no snow on the ground, you can still get out and enjoy!
Best places for snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing in Iowa
All of the snow tubing, snowboarding, and ski resorts mentioned below are in Iowa. Each one is within a few hours’ from wherever you call home in Iowa. Some might be close enough for a perfect day trip. Or, rent a cabin and make it a winter weekend getaway!
The entries below start with those closest to the Des Moines area. And if you want to venture further, read on for options just across state lines.
Winter adventures near Des Moines, Iowa
If you’re looking for a place to have some fun in the snow in Central Iowa, you’re in luck! There are two winter recreation areas nearby, so it’s easy to plan a day of fun.
Seven Oaks Recreation
1086 222nd Dr.
Boone, Iowa 50036
515-432-9457
Seven Oaks is a popular winter destination in Central Iowa and less than an hour’s drive north of Des Moines. They offer excellent snowboarding and ski runs, plus snow tubing chutes too! (See their map for trail routes.) Skis, snowboards, and snow tubes are available for rent on site. They usually open late November-early December, depending on temperatures. For more details, see their website and Facebook page.
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park (closed for 2021)
4051 Dean Ave
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
515-262-4100
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park* is a 76-acre recreation area on the east side of Des Moines. And it’s well-known for its Winter Park. Snow tubing, sledding, and STIGA snow racers are a few ways to get downhill on various routes. The best thing of all is you don’t have to walk uphill. Instead, a lift will take you up to the top for another run. For more details, see their website and Facebook page.
*Sleepy Hollow Winter Park is closed for the 2021 season. The good news is, Polk Co. Conservation bought Sleepy Hollow in 2021 and will start running the winter park in 2023. With this shift in management comes more winter fun! Polk County is continuing snow tubing, plus adding cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. (And ice skating too!)
Cross-country skiing near Des Moines
Downhill isn’t the only fun way to ski! There are several places to cross-country ski around Des Moines and equipment rentals too! See our article for more on cross-country skiing near Des Moines.
Hit the slopes of Western Iowa
Mount Crescent Ski Area
17026 Snowhill Lane
Honey Creek, Iowa 51542
712-545-3850
Mount Crescent is a fun winter destination in western Iowa, just 12 miles north of Council Bluffs. Ski runs up to 2400 feet long, a Swiss-style lodge, and sledding offer something for everyone! For details, see their website and Facebook page.
*Make it a weekend! The Council Bluff’s area made it on our list of winter getaways. For more things to do and places to stay, see our Iowa Winter Getaways article.
Cone Park
3800 Line Dr
Sioux City, IA 51106
Head to Sioux City to experience Cone Park’s 700-foot snow tubing hill! Tube rentals are available. And for more winter fun, go ice skating at the 5400-square foot ice rink too. For more, see the website and Facebook page.
A premier ski destination in Eastern Iowa
Sundown Mountain Resort
16991 Asbury Rd.
Dubuque, IA 52002
563-556-6676
Sundown Mountain is in Dubuque, in eastern Iowa, along the Mississippi River. There you’ll find 21 runs for all levels—see their map for trail routes. Take a break from the slopes to warm up in one of four warming stations, and be sure to stop at one of the mountain lodges. You can even enjoy the live music on weekends at the North Lodge. For more details, see their website and Facebook page.
*There’s much more to see and do in Dubuque! We think it’s the perfect spot for a winter weekend getaway. See our article on the Best Iowa Winter Getaways for more on what to do, where to stay, and more.
More snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing adventures near Iowa
Mount Kato
20461 State Hwy 66, Mankato, MN 56001
- 19 trails
- Snow tubing area
- Food and live music
Chestnut Mountain Resort
8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd, Galena, IL 61036
- Rated as a top Midwest ski resort
- 25 trails
- Overnight accommodations
Mt LaCrosse Ski Area
Old Town Hall Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601
- 18 trails
- 516-foot vertical drop
- Ski shop
Great Bear Ski Valley
5901 E Rice St, Sioux Falls, SD 57110
- 14 trails
- Snow tubing park
- Cross-country and snowshoeing trails
Snow Creek Ski Area
1 Snow Creek Dr, Weston, MO 64098
- 12 trails
- Tornado Alley Tube Park
- Lodge and retail shop
Next:
• Top 10 Things To Do in Dubuque Iowa
• Top Things to Do in Decorah, Iowa
• 10 Fun Winter Weekend Getaways Near Des Moines