’Round the Town
Snow Day – Your Mini-Guide to Outdoor Winter Fun
Don’t let the cold weather keep you inside. Lace up your skates and strap on your snowshoes because we are beating the winter blues with some of the best winter activities around the state.
Snow Tubing at Arctic Blast Tubing Park at Paoli Peaks
2798 W. County Road 25 S. Paoli, IN 47454 paolipeaks.com For adrenaline-filled winter fun, head to Paoli Peaks in Southern Indiana, where you can greet winter with the wind in your face, racing down the 700-foot snow-covered hill. Spanning ten lanes, this epic adventure is fun for the whole crew and features a carpet lift, outdoor firepits, a lodge and concessions. |
Ice Skating at the Elevance Health Rink on Bicentennial Unity Plaza
125 S. Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 gainbridgefieldhouse.com An eagerly awaited outdoor attraction, the Elevance Health Rink at Bicentennial Unity Plaza in downtown Indianapolis is already making memories and creating new traditions outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Skaters can groove to the music on the outdoor rink for 90-minute sessions, and seasonal refreshments are available, including boozy beverages for adults. |
Snowshoeing in the Indiana Dunes National Park
100 N. Lake Street Gary, IN 46403 indianadunes.com A few inches of snow can make all the difference at Indiana Dunes National Park, where snowshoe rental is free at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, and trails through Miller Woods and along Lake Michigan are always fun. You might even catch a glimpse of beaver, birds and other wildlife on your peaceful trek through the dunes. |
Ice Skating at The Ice Rink at Holliday Park
6363 Spring Mill Road Indianapolis, IN 46260 hollidaypark.org Holliday Park is a family favorite any time of year, but winter is better than ever with last year’s addition of a fantastic ice skating rink, which serves the park’s mission to be a place for recreation and the study of nature. Join Our Hockey House in January for a free, eight-week Learn to Play Hockey program for even more fun on the ice. |
Ice Skating at Howard Park
219 S. St. Louis Boulevard South Bend, IN 46617 visithowardpark.com This premier Northern Indiana winter destination features rolling hills and soft curves, where skaters can encounter diverse terrain while making their way around the serene skating loop. Or they may venture to the pond for a more traditional skating experience. Warm up at the nearby Howard Park Public House or grab a hot cocoa from the South Bend Chocolate Company’s Chocolate Café To Go |
Tobogganing at Pokagon State Park
450 Ln 100 Lake James Angola, IN 46703 in.gov Race down the refrigerated, quarter-mile track for the thrill of a lifetime at Pokagon State Park. With a total drop of 90 feet, sled times can reach over 40 miles per hour, so hold on tight. And consider bringing a pickup truck—the walk back up to the tower with the heavy sled can be exhausting. |
Ice Skating on The Ice at Carter Green
10 Carter Green Carmel, IN 46032 theiceatcartergreen.com A favorite spot right here at home, The Ice at Carter Green is magical throughout the season. Enjoy skating surrounded by the lights, sounds and smells of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt until December 24, visit in January for the Festival of Ice, and gear up for the Carmel Winter Games in February, where on-ice, non-skating games include Ice Trike Relays, Human Curling and Human Hungry Hippo. |
Snowmobiling the Buffalo Run Snowmobile Trail
485 E. Michigan Street New Carlisle, IN 46552 in.gov This 68-mile snowmobile trail is one of the longest in the state, maintained by the Michiana Trail Riders Association and funded through the Indiana DNR. Find the trailhead near Groceries By Joe in New Carlisle, and traverse through St. Joseph County when the conditions are right. (Safe guidance says four to six inches of packed snow is ideal for a safe and enjoyable experience.) |
Ski and Snowboard at Perfect North Slopes
19074 Perfect Lane
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
perfectnorth.com
Ride the new red quad lift to the top of the slopes, where the stage is set with more than a dozen runs. Glide down Center Stage or take The Far Side around the back of the mountain, then warm up at the lodge or grab a bite from the Sip-N-Slide Snack Shack.
19074 Perfect Lane
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
perfectnorth.com
Ride the new red quad lift to the top of the slopes, where the stage is set with more than a dozen runs. Glide down Center Stage or take The Far Side around the back of the mountain, then warm up at the lodge or grab a bite from the Sip-N-Slide Snack Shack.