Winter Weather Fun in Indiana (Snowtubing, Skiing, Skating, Snowboarding, and more)

Feb 21, 2025

Today we’re taking a trip to our next door neighbors in Indiana! We’re going to explore different winter weather activities you can enjoy in just a few short hours drive away. From ice skating to skiing, snowboarding to tubing, Indiana has got it all and then some. So let’s check it out! Pack up your skis, your sled, your skates, and we’ll hit the road in your new car from Classic on our next winter road trip!

Skate Your Way to Glory: Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks

Whether you want to skate the day away under the warmth of the sun, or you prefer to skate under the stars, we’re sure you’ll love these outdoor ice rink options.

The gorgeous Central Park Plaza Ice Rink is located inside the William E Urschel Pavilion in downtown Valparaiso. This 12,000 square foot open-air pavilion centers around a beautiful 80’x120’ ice rink which features a colorful lights display with swooping curves and waves in the outdoor rink’s ceiling. The glowing lights and mood music will inspire you to try your best triple axle and ice ballet maneuvers! Plus there’s a great concession stand with primetime viewing of the rink so you can watch your friends and fellow skaters as you thaw out. There’s also a series of rotating markets and events each season.

Howard Park Ice Trail and Pond offers a 16,000 square foot ice trail featuring gently rolling hills and soft curves for a unique skating opportunity. The ice pond is located just off the ice trail, and is tailored to a more traditional ice skating experience; there is an isolated area dedicated to beginners and first-timers, as well as an area to play “broom ball” on the ice. You can skate the area 7 days a week, and every Friday Night you can enjoy DJ Skate Night from 6PM to 8PM. Open 4PM to 6PM Weekdays, extended hours on Friday/Saturday/Sunday.

NIBCO Water and Ice Park is a beautiful outdoor skating rink that you’ll not soon forget. Set against the backdrop of the Elkhart River, this beautifully landscaped ice path with skating rink is a twinkling winter wonderland!

The charming Riverside Skating Center is bringing some vintage vibes and Hallmark movie energy to West Lafayette for two decades. The rink is open Tuesday through Wednesday from 6PM to 9PM; Fridays from 4-6PM and 7-10PM; Saturdays from 1-3PM, 4-6PM, 7-10PM; Sundays from 1-3PM; 4-6PM, and 7-9PM. Private lessons and rentals are available! If you love hockey, then you’ll be delighted to know the rink also offers Adult Hockey pick-up games on Wednesdays from 9PM to 10:30PM and Saturdays/Sundays from 8PM to 10PM!

The bustling aquatic summer resort turns into a 14,500 square foot ice experience at Skate the Plaza at Deep River Water Park!

Hit the Slopes for Superior Sledding, Skiing and Snowboarding

We’ve already done some great guides for skiing and snowboarding, but we’re all about the one-stop travel guide! Check out our suggestions for best skiing and snowboarding in the state.

Fort Harrison state Park offers some superior winter tobogganing and sledding options and one of Indianapolis’ largest sledding hills!

Enjoy some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at Indiana Dunes National Park through the 15 miles along the Glenwood Dunes Trails or traipse through the habitats of Tolleston Dunes Trail.

Likewise, Indiana Dunes State Park offers sledding options at the “Devil’s Slide” hill as you look out at panoramic views of Lake Michigan.

Koteewi Run is Indiana’s only groomed snow-tubing trail with 700 feet of groomed lanes in specialized custom snow tubes, complete with tow line back to the top for a repeat experience!

Paoli Peaks offers ski trails for all skill levels as well as snowboarding, plus snowtubing at the Arctic Blast Tubing Park.

Perfect North Slopes is a 100 acre snowpark that offers all-ages and all-experience levels a great time, with downhill skiing and snowboarding across 23 trails and 2 terrain parks, plus snowtubing!

Pokagon State Park offers the Midwest’s first and only refrigerated toboggan run over a course with plenty of dips, curves, hills, and valleys and a thrilling 90-foot drop over a quarter mile.

Experience the Great Outdoors for the Snow Loving Adventure Seeker

Hang up the skis and try your hand at something a little more exhilarating like snowmobiling through the forest or a romp through the woods on horseback! Level up your familiar hiking grounds as you trek through snow and ice across familiar landscapes transformed into snowcovered hilltops and glistening frozen forests.

Enjoy some winter cave spelunking and explore a new side of Indiana! Book a trip to one of these incredible Grottos: Evansville Metropolitan Grotto in Jasper; Northern Indiana Grotto in Granger; Saint Joseph Valley Grotto in Elkhart; Bloomington Indiana Grotto in Bloomington; Central Indiana Grotto in Indianapolis; Eastern Indiana Grotto in Elwood; Western Indiana Grotto in Poland.

Visit Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg and book a Guided Trail Ride on horseback through 78 acres along the banks of White Lick Creek; open daily, weather permitting.

Enjoy more than 200 miles of snowmobile trails including Buffalo Run Snowmobile Trail (68mi); Miami Snowmobile Trail (61mi); Salamonie Snowmobile Trail (40mi); Heritage Snowmobile Trail (34mi); Potawatomi Snowmobile Trail (32mi).

Hikers of all experience levels will enjoy the numerous trails across the state including Putnam Nature Trail, People Pathways Trail, Vandalia TRail, DePauw Nature Park Trails, McCloud Nature Park Trails, Sodalis Nature Park, McCormick’s Creek State Park, Turkey Run State Park, Shades STate Park, and many more.