Where To Skate, Ski And Sled In And Around Stillwater

Feeling inspired by the excitement of the Winter Games? You don’t have to travel far to get in on the seasonal spirit. Around Stillwater, you’ll find places where families can lace up skates, enjoy indoor winter fun, or plan easy day trips to nearby skiing, tubing or sledding spots. Whether you’re looking to stay close to home or head out for a weekend adventure, these ideas can help you make the most of the season. Just be sure to double-check hours, weather conditions and reservation details before heading out.

⛸️ Ice Skating & Indoor Winter Fun

St. Croix Valley Recreation Center Ice Arena

Address: 1675 Market Dr, Stillwater, MN 55082

Phone: (651) 430-2601

Details: This local ice arena keeps winter active with regularly scheduled public skating, lessons, and community hockey programs. Its in-town location makes it an easy option for spontaneous skate days, sitting about a 5 to 10-minute drive from downtown Stillwater.

Tartan Arena

Address: 740 Greenway Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128

Phone: (651) 714-3760

Details: Tartan Arena offers consistent public ice time alongside instructional and league use, making it a dependable alternative when local sessions are full. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Stillwater and provides another straightforward indoor skating option nearby.

🎿 Skiing, Snowboarding & Tubing — Day Trips

Afton Alps

Address: 6600 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033

Phone: (651) 436-5245

Details: Afton Alps operates lift-served skiing, snowboarding, and a dedicated tubing area, with snowmaking helping maintain trails through the season. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Stillwater, making it one of the most convenient snow-sport destinations in the region.

Wild Mountain

Address: 37200 Wild Mountain Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084

Phone: (651) 465-6365

Details: Wild Mountain offers a mix of downhill runs and tubing lanes with a classic Midwest ski-hill feel. It’s about a 45 to 55-minute drive from Stillwater and works well for a longer winter outing when you want more terrain variety.

☃️ Outdoor Play & Sledding Spots

Winter in Stillwater settles in with steady cold, snow-lined streets, and long stretches of quiet along the St. Croix River. When snow accumulates, even modest elevation and open park space can turn into reliable places for sledding and winter wandering.

Stillwater spots to consider:

• Lowell Park takes on a distinctly wintry feel after snowfall, with open green space and gentle river-adjacent slopes that lend themselves to casual sledding and scenic winter walks. Its location near downtown makes it easy to visit without planning a full excursion. (Source: City of Stillwater, MN)

Further outdoors:

• Lake Elmo Park Reserve — For more pronounced hills and a larger sledding footprint, Lake Elmo Park Reserve offers rolling terrain and wide-open space that draw sledders after bigger snowfalls. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Stillwater and provides a more expansive outdoor setting while remaining a public park.

Bundle up, stay safe and have fun wherever winter takes you!

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