It’s easy to get cabin fever during a cold Ohio winter, but it may be worth braving the elements to get out of the house for some fun winter activities. Fortunately Columbus has plenty of “wintery” fun to enjoy. If you’re a ski bunny or you prefer snow tubing instead, we’ve got you covered in our guide to winter fun in Columbus!

Whether you already live in the area, or if you’re looking to move to Columbus, we’ve found activities in every part of the city for you to partake.

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Mad River Mountain

SkiMadRiver.com

Mad River is Ohio’s largest Winter resort, featuring 144 skiable acres, 20 trails, 4 Terrain parks, and the Avalanche Tubing park with ten 1000 foot trails. Off the slopes you can hang in the ski lodge with a bar, cafe, and retail space, or their live music venue. There’s plenty of lodging nearby to make a nice weekend out of your trip!

1000 Snow Valley Rd., Zanesfield, OH

SKIING HOURS: Sun: 9am-9:30pm, Mon-Thu: 10am-9:30pm, Fri: 10am-1am, Late Night Ski: 4pm-1am, Sat: 9am-1am, Late Night Ski: 4pm-1am

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

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Snow Trails

SnowTrails.com

For beginner skiers, Snow Trails may be more your speed, featuring the most user friendly beginners area in the region. You can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tubing throughout the season. They feature live music on Fridays and Saturdays in the Snowflake loft and several bars and eateries to relax at between runs. You’ll also find plenty of accommodations nearby offering discounts.

3100 Possum Run Road, Mansfield OH

Mon-Fri: 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-9pm

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Dublin Park

DublinOhioUSA.gov

If you’re seeking some outdoor winter activities Dublin’s Sciato and Coffman Parks are great destinations for downhill sledding and outdoor ice skating. Sledding is available weather permitting and it must be below freezing for several days to skate at Coffman Park. Skate rental is not available so be sure to bring your own. You can warm up at the fireplaces located in the pavilion!

Scioto Park Sledding

7377 Riverside Drive

DAILY:  7:30am-Dusk *Weather Permitting

Coffman Park Skating

5200 Emerald Parkway

HOURS: Mon-Fri 3pm-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am- 8:30pm *Weather Permitting

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Blendon Woods

MetroParks.net

This 653 acre park offers ice skating and cross country skiing in the colder months, weather permitting. Take off on the 2 mile Sugarbush Trail for a cross country execution or enjoy classic outdoor ice skating in the .4 acres skating pond.  Look at displays and through the windows at the nature center to discover the wildlife and natural features of the park.

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4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus OH

Oct to Mar: 6:30am-8pm daily

Nature Center

Oct to Mar: 7am-5pm Daily

Shelters & Lodging Rentals

Full Day: 7:30am-7pm (Some shelters can be rented half day) *Some Don't Require Reservations

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Battelle Darby Creek

MetroParks.net

With over 7,000 acres to explore there is plenty to do in Darby Creek Park all year long. During the winter months you can enjoy cross country skiing on the 3.2-mile Dyer Mill Trail, ice skating on the Half-acre pond located at 3711 Gardner Road, or sledding at 8465 Alkire Road. All activities are weather permitting of course. At the nature center, A 53-foot living stream flows through the center’s exhibits, stocked with creatures found in Big Darby Creek. Natural and cultural history exhibits, many of them interactive, allow visitors to enjoy learning about the wonders of nature.

1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway OH

Cedar Ridge Area

Oct to Mar: 6:30am-8pm daily

Other Park Areas

Daily: 6:30am-dark

Nature Center

Nov to Mar: 9am-5pm daily

Shelters & Lodging Rentals

Full Day: 7:30am-7pm (Some shelters can be rented half day) *Some Don't Require Reservations

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Orange Township Glen Oak Park

OrangeTWP.org

Glen Oak Park in Orange County hosts an ice skating pond drained to under 24 inches and monitored for safety for winter skating, as well as a sledding hill at the southern end of the parking lot.

7126 Blue Holly Drive, Lewis Center OH

Daily: Dawn-Dusk

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Pickerington Parks

Pickerington.net

Head to Pickerington, Ohio for some quaint Ohio charm and fun winter recreation. Victory Park hosts a skating rink, while Sycamore Creek Park hosts sledding and cross country skiing.

Victory Park Skating

100 Lockville Rd, Pickerington, OH 43147

Daily: Dawn-Dusk *Weather Permitting

Sycamore Creek Park Sledding

481 Hereford Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147

Daily: Dawn-Dusk *Weather Permitting

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Winter at the Wilds

TheWilds.ColumbusZoo.org

Explore this one-of-a-kind safari for a with the exotic animals at The Wilds. You’ll get a tour of their pastures and behind the scenes access to their winter housing and exercise yard while witnessing their special winter enrichment activities. Children must be 4 years old and up to participate.

14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732

Nov to Apr: 11am-2pm daily *Reservations Reccomendded

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The Chiller

TheChiller.com

The Chiller is your one-stop-shop for indoor ice skating in the Columbus area. With Public Skate options at four of their area locations you can participate in hockey leagues, skating lessons, public skating, and birthday parties. Every Friday night at the Dublin, Easton, and North rinks they host Friday Meltdown for a teen-friendly skating event featuring live DJs and disco lights for only $10 (including skate rental).

OhioHealth Chiller Rinks:

• Easton 3600 Chiller Lane, Columbus, OH 43219
• Dublin 7001 Dublin Park Drive, Dublin, OH 43016
• North 8144 Highfield Drive, Lewis Center, OH 43035
• Ice Haus 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215

Public Skate Hours Vary by Location

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