Making it through, and making the most of, a Grimes winter.

Where can you ski or go tubing near Grimes?

For real downhill skiing, the nearest hill is Seven Oaks Recreation near Boone. The closest tubing slope, Sleepy Hollow, is shut until 2027.

• Seven Oaks Recreation (1086 222nd Dr., Boone), about 45 minutes northwest. Two triple chairlifts, three surface lifts, 12 runs from beginner to expert, and snow tubing. Season passes are on sale now; opening day and daily hours go on its online calendar. Office: 515-432-9457, weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sleepy Hollow Sports Park (4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines), about 35 minutes. A 600-foot Snowflex slope for tubing, with ski and snowboard days on special dates; the park bills it as the world's biggest all-weather downhill run. As of late October it says the hill and tubing are closed for 2026 and 2027 hours will be posted in early February. 515-262-4100.

Where can you go sledding near Grimes?

The closest hill built for sledding is Warrior Park in Waukee, about 20 minutes from Grimes. The City of Waukee calls it a specially engineered sledding hill; turn off 6th Street next to the Waukee Cemetery.

We did not find a designated sledding hill in Grimes itself; the city's park guide doesn't list one. On a good snow day, neighborhood park slopes do the job. City parks are alcohol and tobacco free, and no overnight parking is allowed.

Cross-country skiers can use a 3.5-mile trail on the disc golf course at Big Creek State Park near Polk City, per the DNR. Jester Park near Granger keeps sunrise to sunset hours November 1 to March 31 and has snowmobile trails.

Where can you ice skate near Grimes?

Brenton Skating Plaza (520 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines) is the outdoor rink to know, about 25 minutes from Grimes, open November to March.

Those are non-resident prices (Grimes is not Des Moines). The rink closes for the day at 60 to 65 degrees, opens at sundown at 55 to 59, and closes when it's forecast under 5 degrees or below zero wind chill for most of its hours. Call 515-283-4233 for opening day.

What is there to do indoors in Grimes in winter?

The Grimes Public Library (200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd., 515-986-3551) is open seven days and runs free programs all winter. A few from the city's Fall/Winter guide:

• Saturday Craft and Play, 9 a.m. to noon, ages 2 to 5: Dec. 27 (Ice and Snow), Jan. 17 (Snowflake Crafts), Jan. 31 (Winter is for the Birds).
• Cozy Up and Read Storytime, Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 to 11 a.m.: come in pajamas, hot cocoa bar.
• Early Out Teens (5th grade and up), 1:30 to 3 p.m.: candle making Jan. 6, hot chocolate bombs Feb. 3.

Worth the drive: the Downtown Winter Farmers' Market returns to Capital Square in Des Moines Nov. 20 to 22, 2026 (Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and admission is free.

What do I do when Grimes calls a snow ordinance?

Move your vehicles off city streets so plows can clear them. The city sends snow ordinance parking-ban notices through WENS, its emergency alert system, by text, voice call or email; sign up at grimesiowa.gov/alerts. Full details are in our snow ordinance guide.

One reminder for the calendar: the Waterworks Park splash pad is summer only, so winter fun is the snow and the indoor options.

Winter in Grimes: FAQ

Where can you go sledding or skiing near Grimes, Iowa?

For skiing, Seven Oaks Recreation near Boone, about 45 minutes away, has 12 runs, chairlifts and snow tubing. Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in Des Moines has a Snowflex tubing hill but says it is closed for the rest of 2026, with 2027 hours posted in early February. For sledding, Waukee's Warrior Park has an engineered sledding hill about 20 minutes from Grimes.

What is the Grimes snow ordinance?

When the City of Grimes declares a snow ordinance, residents must move vehicles off city streets so plows can clear them. The city sends snow ordinance parking-ban notices through its WENS alert system, which you can join at grimesiowa.gov/alerts. See our snow ordinance guide for details.

Where can I ice skate near Grimes?

Brenton Skating Plaza in downtown Des Moines, about 25 minutes away, is open November to March. Non-resident admission is $12 for ages 13 and up and $8 for ages 6 to 12 and 60-plus, and skate rental is $6.

What indoor winter activities are there in Grimes?

The Grimes Public Library runs free programs all winter, including Saturday Craft and Play mornings for ages 2 to 5 and a Cozy Up and Read pajama storytime with a hot cocoa bar on January 23. The library is open seven days a week.