The Ultimate Twin Cities East Metro Winter Fun Guide: Skiing, Sledding, and Skating Near You

The Twin Cities East Metro transforms into a winter wonderland, offering specialized spots for every kind of snow enthusiast. From the steep slopes of the St. Croix Valley to state-of-the-art indoor playgrounds and neighborhood rinks, this detailed guide highlights the best local destinations in Woodbury, Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Afton, Maplewood, and Oakdale.

⛷️ The Slopes and Thrills: Skiing, Snowboarding, and Tubing

When it comes to hitting the powder, one name reigns supreme in the East Metro, and another offers dedicated tubing fun.

Afton Alps (Afton)

Located just south of Stillwater, Afton Alps is the region's largest ski area, owned by Vail Resorts. It’s an ideal spot for a family ski day without a long drive.

• What to Expect: Over 300 skiable acres with 50 runs spread across four separate peaks, served by 18 lifts. It truly caters to all ability levels.
  
  
• Tubing: The dedicated Bubly Tubing Park offers a massive hill for snow tubing, complete with a convenient conveyor lift (Magic Carpet) to take riders back to the top. Tubing is a perfect no-skill-required winter thrill.
  
  

Green Acres Recreation (Lake Elmo)

If you're looking only for tubing, Green Acres is a classic East Metro destination focused entirely on gravity-fed fun.

• What to Expect: Known for its multiple long, steep runs and tow ropes to get you back up the hill quickly. It's a highly popular destination for families and groups due to its dedicated focus on snow tubing.
  
  

⛸️ On the Ice: Indoor and Outdoor Skating Hotspots

Whether you prefer the controlled environment of a heated arena or the charm of an outdoor rink under the lights, the East Metro has fantastic options.

Woodbury: M Health Fairview Sports Center

This massive facility is the hub for indoor ice sports in Woodbury.

• What to Expect: Two regulation-sized indoor sheets of ice for skating, hockey, and figure skating. The facility offers dedicated Open Skate sessions for the public (check the City of Woodbury schedule for exact times and fees).
  
  
• Location: 4125 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129.
  
  

Stillwater & St. Croix Valley Recreation Center

Stillwater offers both indoor training and charming outdoor local rinks.

• Indoor: The St. Croix Valley Recreation Center (1675 Market Drive) features two indoor NHL-style ice sheets, often with open skate hours available.
  
  
• Outdoor: The city maintains several popular outdoor rinks with warming houses, including:
  
  
  • Northland Park (12975 75th St. N.)
    
    
  • Old Athletic Field (6th Ave S between Burlington St. E & Orleans St. E)
    
    
• Unique Option: Check out the seasonal outdoor rink at Thor's Hard Cider on the Stillwater outskirts for a picturesque skate near a bonfire (bring your own skates, as this is a private venue).
  
  

Maplewood & Oakdale Community Rinks

Local outdoor rinks are the backbone of winter fun in these communities.

• Indoor/Outdoor: The Tartan Arena near Maplewood often offers public open skate times in its indoor facility. For the pure outdoor experience, check the city websites for local parks that maintain temporary rinks like:
  
  
  • Oakdale: Richard Walton Memorial Park and Eberle Park often host maintained outdoor rinks.
    
    

🧤 All-Ages Fun: Sledding and Indoor Play

When the hills are calling or you need a break from the cold, these spots have you covered.

Sledding Hills

Bundle up and head to these prime locations, known for their size and accessibility.

• Woodbury:
  
  
  • Pioneer Park (1275 Pioneer Dr): A popular, easily accessible hill in a well-loved Woodbury park.
    
    
  • Middleton Elementary School (9105 Lake Rd): Elementary school grounds often provide excellent, moderate hills perfect for younger children.
    
    
• Lake Elmo:
  
  
  • Tablyn Park (8735 Stillwater Blvd): A well-known local sledding spot.
    
    
• St. Paul/East Metro Border:
  
  
  • Battle Creek Regional Park (75 Winthrop St. S., St. Paul): Located right on the border, this is one of the most popular and steepest sledding spots, offering a mix of challenge and long runs.
    
    

Woodbury Central Park Indoor Play: Lookout Ridge

This is a must-visit spot when the temperature is too low for outdoor play.

• What to Expect: The Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground is an excellent, climate-controlled space located inside the Central Park Building. It features multi-level climbing structures, slides, and separate play areas designed for toddlers and children up to age 12.
  
  
• Hours & Admission: Note that the playground has specific hours and an admission fee. Current typical hours are:
  
  
  • Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    
    
  • Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    
    
  • Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    
    
• Location: 8595 Central Park Pl, Woodbury, MN 55125. The park also includes the R.H. Stafford Library and open seating areas.
  
  

The Twin Cities East Metro offers a vibrant, active winter lifestyle. If you're looking to buy a home with quick access to any of these great seasonal activities, we would be happy to help.