Like many Iowans, I used to dread the long, cold winter months… Until I learned how much fun winters can be in Iowa! If you just forget about the cold for a while, you will come to see how the snow actually adds to the beauty of the landscape, or how the freezing cold air feels fresher than anything you’ve ever breathed. Maybe you will notice that pleasant rush of warmth that runs to your cheeks after you come in from the cold, or the comfortable scent of the warm fire crackling in the hearth. There are so many reasons to love Iowa winters, are here are 11 of them:
- The layers of snow add an element of beauty and magic to the already perfect Iowa landscape.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
- Even the lakes and rivers look more beautiful with a shiny layer of ice coating them.
Scott Smithson/Flickr
- There’s nothing better than seeing the Christmas decorations go up across the state.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
- Or marveling at the sparkling lights that illuminate the houses during the season. You could even do your own Tour of Lights around your city!
Heiko.J/Flickr
- And there’s nothing quite like a day of fun building snowmen, and then tearing them down.
Steve Evans/Flickr
- There’s plenty of winter fun to be had, like taking a sleigh ride through the snow. You can do this at Jester Park Equestrian Center in Granger.
Pete Markham/Flickr
- Or going ice skating at one of Iowa’s many skating rinks. This one here is the Brenton Skating Plaza in Des Moines.
Phil Roeder/Flickr
- Or maybe you’d prefer to go sledding down the biggest hill you can find?
Seven Oaks Recreation - Boone IA/Facebook
- Did you know that you can even ski in Iowa?
Seven Oaks Recreation - Boone IA/Facebook
Seven Oaks Recreation in Boone offers 600 ski rentals and 120 snowboard rentals to winter adventurers of all ages. Hit the slopes here and check out their 11 runs that vary from beginner to expert, and take a ride on the ski lift.
Seven Oaks Recreation - Boone IA/Facebook
- Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque is another great place to check out for all your winter fun.
Sundown Mountain Resort/Facebook
They offer 21 runs, 2 terrain parks, 4 lifts, and 475 feet of vertical for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. And don’t worry, if you’ve never skied before, you can get some lessons from an expert before you hit the slopes!
Sundown Mountain Resort/Facebook
- And you can’t forget about the joy of picking out your own Christmas tree at one of Iowa’s many tree farms, like Victorian Pines Christmas Tree Farm in State Center, shown below.
Victorian Pines Christmas Tree Farm/Facebook
I don’t know about you, but I’m beyond excited for winter now… And why shouldn’t we be when there’s so much fun to be had?!
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
Scott Smithson/Flickr
Heiko.J/Flickr
Steve Evans/Flickr
Pete Markham/Flickr
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Seven Oaks Recreation - Boone IA/Facebook
Sundown Mountain Resort/Facebook
Victorian Pines Christmas Tree Farm/Facebook
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