2019 Guide to Winter Activities in Cleveland Ohio

Cleveland has plenty of fun winter excursions in and around the city to get some fresh air, with activities only the winter time can offer. So here's a complete list of winter adventures all around town.

a bluish wintery scene of snow covered pine trees

By

Lani Redinger

on

Jan 21, 2021

After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays in December, it starts to become harder to find fun activities to enjoy the winter weather and get out of the house. Fortunately Cleveland has plenty of fun winter excursions in and around the city to get some fresh air and appreciate the special activities only winter time can offer.

CLEVELAND HOMES FOR SALE
View homes for sale in Cleveland, OH


Whether you are planning to buy a new home in Cleveland, or already live there, we have a complete list of winter adventures all around town.

Skiing & Tubing

snowflake icon

Alpine Valley

beautiful Alpine Valley snow covered area

Alpinevalleyohio.com

location icon

10620 Mayfield Road, Chesterland, OH

SKIING HOURS
Mon-Thu:
3:30pm-9:30pm | Fri-Sat: 9am-10pm | Sun: 9am-9pm

TUBING HOURS *Weather Permitting
Fri: 5:30-9pm | Sat 11am-9pm | Sun 11am-7pm

This quaint ski resort, located a quick 45 minute drive from Cleveland, is great for beginner skiers and snowboarders. While no lodging is available on site there are plenty of options nearby if you’re not up for your drive back into the city. As subsidiary of the Peak Season resorts it offers all the fun and comfort you can expect at their resorts. The lodge hosts comfort foods to warm up after a brisk run on the slopes.  From the gentle glide of the beginner slopes to the more challenging pitch of the advanced slopes, moguls, and terrain parks, Alpine Valley serves skiers and snowboarders of all ages and levels of expertise. Grooming is done nightly to provide a nice surface for skiing and snowboarding.

“Came with my daughter for a day of skiing on New Year's weekend. Loved the smaller feel of the lodge and the fireplace. We skied the green and blue slopes and the natural snow was fantastic! My wife enjoyed reading in the lodge and drinking coffee. Seems to be a better place for families and beginners. Slopes are nice for learning on with chances to learn for every level of skier. The lifts seemed in good shape and the lift operators were very friendly. Ski Patrol was very attentive. We decided this was our favorite local ski spot and will be back!”- Charles L. Yelp Review
snowflake icon

Boston Mills Brandywine

snow machine adding snow to snow covered slopes

bmbw.com

Boston Mills

location icon

7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH

Mon-Thu: 10am-9:30pm | Fri: 10am-10pm | Sat: 9am-10pm | Sun: 9am-9pm

Brandywine

location icon

1146 West Highland Road, Sagamore Hills, OH

Mon-Thu: 3:30pm-9:30pm | Fri: 3:30pm-10pm | Sat: 9am-10pm | Sun: 9am-9pm

Polar Blast Tubing

Thu-Fri: 5:30pm-9pm | Sat: 11am-9pm | Sun: 11am-7pm

Late Nights

location icon

Currently held at Boston Mills till further notice

Sat & Sun: 8pm-1am *run from end of Dec to end of Feb

These sister resorts sit 3 miles apart about 40 minutes south of Cleveland. Brandywine is slightly larger, hosting 11 trails, while Boston Mills hosts 7. Both have a variety of food and drink options in their lodges. While no Ohio slopes will compare to Colorado, there’s a nice variety of trail options from beginner to advanced and moguls at both resorts, with Brandywine also hosting the Polar Blast tubing park for fun for all ages.

“Our favorite nearby ski/snowboarding place. Plenty of hills, great service! It's a fun place to hang out - especially if you're with a group!” - Tiffany S. Yelp Review
snowflake icon

Cleveland’s SKi Club Big Creek Ski Area

Cleveland’s SKi Club Big Creek Ski Area bench at top of slope
Image courtesy Big Creek Ski

Bigcreekski.org

location icon

12721 Concord Hambden Road, Concord Township, OH

Mon-Thu: 6pm-10pm | Fri: 6pm-11pm | Sat: 12pm-10pm | Sun: 10am-6pm

Located in the snow belt a short 40 minute drive east of Cleveland, Big Creek Ski is surrounded by the beautiful Lake County MetroParks. You can experience the best ski elevation in Ohio, with five runs including a double black diamond. The hill is owned and run by the Cleveland Ski Club and membership is required. Membership will include unlimited skiing and snowboard, so join today for an avalanche of winter fun!

Skating

snowflake icon

Cleveland Foundation Ice Rink

people ice skating on Cleveland Foundation Ice Rink in the public square
Credit: @DowntownCLE Twitter

Clevelandpublicsquare.com

location icon

​50 Public Square, Suite 1700, Cleveland, OH 44113

Mon-Fri: 3pm-10pm | Sat: 12pm-10pm | Sun: 12pm-8pm

Nothing is more quintessentially winter than a playful skate around an outdoor ice rink. The Cleveland Fountain rink is located in the Public Square, for a truly metropolitan experience surrounded by Cleveland’s bustling city center. The rink is open from late December through February, and you can easily rent skates on site.

snowflake icon

The Rink at Wade Oval

kids ice skating & smiling at The Rink at Wade Oval

Universitycircle.org

location icon

10820 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106

Fri: 3pm-9pm | Sat: 12pm-7pm | Sun: 12pm-5pm

Nestled within University Circle which is brimming with cultural institutions and beautiful parks, The Rink at Wade Oval is open from late November through mid February, offering very affordable skating and rental rates. You can even receive discounts at nearby attractions like the History Center and Museums of Art and Natural History with your wristband!

snowflake icon

City of Cuyahoga Falls Outdoor Ice Rink

kids skating at City of Cuyahoga Falls Outdoor Ice Rink

Cityofcf.com

location icon

2085 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

Fri: 3pm-8pm | Sat-Sun: 12pm-8pm

Take a quaint trip just 45 minutes south of Cleveland to Cuyahoga Falls. There’s more to Cuyahoga Falls that the stunning Blossom Music Center. During the winter months you can enjoy exploring the local shops and dining, followed by outdoor ice skating at the brand new rink by the Downtown Pavilion and Amphitheater. You can rent skates onsite for just $4.  

snowflake icon

Lock 3

people skating outdoor in Lock 3 ice rink in the evening

Lock3live.com

location icon

200 S Main St, Akron, OH

Tue-Thu: 11am-9pm | Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm | Sun: 11am-6pm

Head to Akron to experience Ohio’s largest outdoor ice rink at 10,000 square feet. Skating is only $4 and include skates, or just $2 if you bring your own. Located in the heart of Main Street, you can also enjoy “Polar Putt Putt” and Reindeer Run 150 foot slide. There’s even a more petite Polar Cub rink for the little ones and beginners 14 and under.

Sledding

There’s nothing quite like zipping down a powdery hill of fresh snow!  Sledding is a great way to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise. There are plenty of places around the Cleveland area to cart your sleds to and have a snowy adventure.

snowflake icon

Cain Park Village

family doing outdoor winter activities

Clevelandheights.com

location icon

14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, OH

Wonderful sledding hill is located at Taylor and Superior Roads

snowflake icon

Sledding Area at Big Met Golf Course

mother & child sledding in snow at Cleveland Metro Park
Image courtesy of Cleveland Metro Parks

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

Rocky River Reservation, Fairview Park, OH

Sledding at Big Met Golf Course at Tee #11

snowflake icon

Sledding Area at Kelley Picnic Area

mother pushing child through snow on a sled

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

Euclid Creek Reservation, South Euclid, OH

Sledding Area at Kelley Picnic Area

snowflake icon

Sledding Area at Mastick Woods Golf Course

little boy sitting on sled in the snow

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland, OH

Sledding Area at Mastick Woods Golf Course

snowflake icon

Sledding Area at Old River Farm Picnic Area

people walking up snow covered hill with sleds & tubes at a Cleveland Metro Park
Image courtesy of Cleveland Metro Parks

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

North Chagrin Reservation, Willoughby Hills, OH

Sledding Area at Old River Farm Reserved Picnic Area

snowflake icon

Sledding Area at Sleepy Hollow

family playing together with snow

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

Brecksville Reservation, Brecksville, OH

Sledding Hill at Sleepy Hollow Course at tee #10

snowflake icon

Memphis Sledding Hill

group of kids smiling & throwing snow in the air

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

Big Creek Reservation, Brooklyn, OH

Sledding Hill at at the intersection of Memphis Avenue and Tiedman Road

Unique Activities

snowflake icon

Strongsville Toboggan Chutes

people riding down Strongsville Toboggan Chutes in the snow

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, OH 44136

Fri: 6pm-10:30pm | Sat: 12pm-10:30pm | Sun: 12pm-5pm

If you’d like to take your downhill excursions to the next level head to Strongsville Toboggan Chutes for a high speed winter adventure. No snow required!

snowflake icon

Ice Fishing at Hinckley Reservation

Hinckley lake in the winter snow

Clevelandmetroparks.com

location icon

1822 East Dr, Hinckley, OH 44233

Mon-Sun: 6am-11pm

Hinckley Lake is a great spot for kayaking and fishing in the warmer months, then when the weather turns colder it makes a great spot for ice fishing.

snowflake icon

Ma & Pa’s Sleigh Rides

horses pulling sleigh through snow

Maandpas.com

location icon

15161 Main Market Rd (Rt 422), Burton, OH 44021

Sat: 12pm-9pm | Sun: 12pm-5pm

If you’ve ever yearned to dash through the snow, Ma and Pa’s offer whimsical winter sleigh rides through the woods. The trip will conclude at a cabin with a warm fire, Ma’s cookies, hot cocoa and maple coffee. Reservations are required so book your ride today!

snowflake icon

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad National Park Scenic Excursions

Cuyahoga Valley Train riding through snow at Railroad National Park
Image Courtesy of cvsr.com

Cvsr.com

location icon

2325 Stine Road, Peninsula, OH 44264

Rockside Station

Departure times - Sat/Sun: 9am | 12pm

Peninsula Depot

Departure times - Sat/Sun: 9:40am | 11:10am | 12:40pm

Akron Northside Station

Departure times - Sat/Sun: 10:30am

CLEVELAND HOMES FOR SALE
View homes for sale in Cleveland, OH


All aboard! Take in all the beauty of the wintery Ohio landscape, aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Railway. The National Park Scenic Excursion runs January through May, and offers unique glimpses of local wildlife. You can board at one of the three stations and offers a variety of seating options.

Discover your dream home in German Village, OH.

Learn More
January 12, 2019
For questions on this blog, click here.

...

All Related content

Be The First to Know. Join Our Newsletter.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form