When people think of the midwest, they tend to think of flat land. But you may be surprised to know that Iowa is home to some fairly popular ski resorts as well. While Iowa only has a few months of snow, when the winter hits, there are plenty of of excellent places to check out and enjoy. Check out these four great mountains below, so when winter hits you know where to go.
Sundown Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in all of Iowa. It offers 55 acres of land with seven ski lifts, giving you plenty of options for exciting rides. For those new to the sport, Sundown Mountain is an amazing place to learn. Almost half of the trails are marked for beginners and another 40% for more intermediate skiers. For those of you looking for an extra challenge, there are some excellent rides on the mountain as well. There is even a 4,000 foot long run! My favorite part about Sundown Mountain is that it offers night riding every day of the week.
Mt. Crescent is very similar to the traditional New England-style ski resorts. This is one of the more popular ski resorts in Iowa for a variety of reasons. There are four ski lifts and 40 acres of skiable land. Furthermore, the resorts has an excellent equipment rental shop making it easy for anyone to get out there and enjoy the mountain. Mt. Crescent offers night skiing as well and on Saturday nights, the slopes are open until 3 a.m.
Seven Oaks is perfect for all skill levels with an excellent mix of trails. About 20% of the rhns are suitable for beginners and the rest is evenly divided between intermediate and advanced riders. This is a great place to bring the kids as there are discounted lift passes for those under the age of 13 (and those over the age of 65 as well).
This mountain is on the smaller side, cover 20 acres of land for skiing and snowboarding. But if you find yourself near Des Moines, it is fun place to check out. It is geared more towards beginners, so more advanced riders may not be as interested. But with three ski lifts, two tow ropes, quad lift, equipment rentals and night skiing, there is still plenty of entertainment available at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park.