Updated June 28, 2021
While you may be dreaming of your winter getaway to Colorado or Lake Tahoe, there is still plenty of snowboarding and skiing to be done near St. Louis. From a journey of a few hours to just a few minutes, the Midwest has a little bit of everything. The next time you’re looking for the best places to go snowboarding or skiing near St. Louis, make sure you check out our list!
The Best Places to Go Snowboarding and Skiing Near St. Louis
Hidden Valley Ski Resort
- Distance from St. Louis: 30.4 miles (~35 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but if coming from far away, can stay at the nearby Residence Inn & Courtyard by Marriott
- Ability Levels: Beginner and intermediate
Missouri’s largest winter resort, Hidden Valley has 16 trails spread out across two peaks. There is 100% snowmaking coverage as well, for those pesky dry days. Beginners can check out the Snowsports Academy for lessons, and there is slopeside equipment rental availability. After a long day out on the slopes, rest and relax next to the fire in the onsite lodge. Because it’s so close, Hidden Valley is an excellent option for snowboarding and skiing near St. Louis.
Sundown Mountain Resort
- Distance from St. Louis: 341 miles (~5 hours, 10 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but stay at the nearby Hotel Julien Dubuque
- Ability Levels: All levels
Looking for the perfect weekend getaway spot? Sundown Mountain Resort may be the place for you. The mountain features 21 runs with 475 feet of vertical, as well as 2 terrain parks. If a full day on the slopes not enough for you, check out the night skiing as well! The mountain also has several different lodges for warming up and recharging, maybe even with a cheeky bevy or two.
Devil’s Head Resort
- Distance from St. Louis: 397 miles (~6 hours)
- Accommodations Onsite? Yes, several options available
- Ability Levels: All levels
This family-friendly resort is perfect for a weekend of snowboarding and skiing near St. Louis. Devil’s Head is the Midwest’s third-largest resort, with 500 feet of vertical and 30 runs spread across all levels. The resort has 100% snowmaking capability, as well as 2 terrain parks and a beginner area with 2 carpet lifts for the kiddos (or kiddos at heart). For a break from downhill, check out the 3.5 mile cross-country loop onsite as well.
Greensfelder County Park
- Distance from St. Louis: 12 miles (~15 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No
- Ability Levels: All levels
For cross-country skiing near St. Louis, check out Greensfelder County Park. Just 15 minutes from downtown, this park is massive, with miles and miles of trails to explore. The park is quite hilly, so there is a lot of variety spread across its 1700 acres.
Granite Peak Ski Area
- Distance from St. Louis: 492 miles (~7 hours)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but several options in nearby Wausau
- Ability Levels: All levels
While it’s a bit of a haul from St. Louis, if you make the trek to Granite Peak Ski Area, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best skiing in the Midwest. On the slopes of Wisconsin’s Rib Mountain you’ll find the state’s only 6-pack high-speed chairlift, 55 runs across all ability levels, 700 feet of vertical, 4 terrain parks, and plenty of tree skiing. If you’re going to go all that way, make a weekend of it and stay in the charming ski town of Wausau!
Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports
- Distance from St. Louis: 280 miles (~4 hours, 10 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but stay in nearby Lisle
- Ability Levels: Beginner
For those looking for a steal of a deal on a day of snowboarding or skiing near St. Louis, check out Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports. No matter what day of the week you head out, lift tickets for the day are all under $30, with lessons and rentals available as well. There is also a “Learn to Race” advanced skiing program, so the 6 trails are a perfect spot for beginners and families looking to level up.
Snow Creek Ski Area
- Distance from St. Louis: 286 miles (~4 hours, 20 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but stay in the nearby Hampton Inn by Hilton
- Ability Levels: Beginner and intermediate
With 300 feet of vertical and 12 trails, Snow Creek Ski Area is a great spot for beginner and intermediate snowboarding and skiing near St. Louis. The resort also features 2 terrain parks: Rattle Snake for experts and Gunslinger Progression Park for beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders. If skiing isn’t your thing, or you brought the whole fam, make sure to check out the Tornado Alley Tubing Park as well!
Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort
- Distance from St. Louis: 239 miles (~3 hours, 40 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but stay in the nearby Best Western Plus French Lick
- Ability Levels: All levels, but mostly intermediate
Another excellent spot to go snowboarding and skiing near St. Louis is Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort. The mountain has 300 feet of vertical and 15 trails, 55% of which are rated as intermediate. There are also 2 terrain parks, including Pioneer Park, Indiana’s largest terrain park! When you want to mix it up, check out the Arctic Blast Tubing Park, with 700-foot long runs across 10 lanes.
Chestnut Mountain Resort
- Distance from St. Louis: 323 miles (~5 hours)
- Accommodations Onsite? Yes, at Chestnut Mountain Resort
- Ability Levels: All levels
There’s something for everyone at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Illinois. At the resort, you’ll be working with 475 feet of vertical and 19 runs spread across all levels of ability. There is also a fabulous terrain park that has been Transworld’s top-rated Midwest snowboard park three years in a row. Stay slopeside at the lodge onsite for the perfect winter getaway.
Villa Olivia
- Distance from St. Louis: 304 miles (~4 hours, 20 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but stay at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn
- Ability Levels: Beginner and intermediate
Part of the Bartlett Park District, in the wintertime this country club and golf course transforms into a ski hill. With 100% snowmaking capacity, Villa Olivia is ready for adventures all winter long. There are 7 runs, as well as rentals and lessons, and even a tubing hill as well.
Additional Resources for Snowboarding and Skiing Near St. Louis
What to Pack:
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
