Where To Skate, Ski And Sled In And Around Inver Grove Heights

Feeling inspired by the excitement of the Winter Games? You don’t have to travel far to get in on the seasonal spirit. Around Inver Grove Heights, 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

VMCC Arena

Address: 8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077

Phone: (651) 450-2480

Details: Veterans Memorial Community Center Ice Arena (known by locals as VMCC Arena) offers public skating sessions, lessons, and hockey programs throughout the winter season, making it the most convenient rink in town. (Check schedules on the city website for open skate times.)

Cottage Grove Ice Arena

Address: 8020 80th St S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Phone: (651) 458-3400

Details: This nearby rink hosts public skating sessions, hockey, and learn-to-skate programs and is about a 15–20 minute drive from Inver Grove Heights.

Eagan Civic Arena

Address: 3870 Pilot Knob Rd, Eagan, MN 55122

Phone: (651) 675-5590

Details: A well-reviewed community arena offering open skate times, lessons, and hockey leagues roughly a 10–15 minute drive from Inver Grove Heights.

🎿 Skiing, Snowboarding & Tubing — Day Trips

Buck Hill Ski Area

Address: 15400 Buck Hill Rd, Burnsville, MN 55306

Phone: (952) 435-7174

Details: Buck Hill is one of the Twin Cities’ classic ski and snowboard hills with runs for all levels and a dedicated tubing area nearby. It’s about a 30–35 minute drive from Inver Grove Heights, making it one of the closest winter sports destinations.

Afton Alps

Address: 6600 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033

Phone: (651) 436-5245

Details: Afton Alps offers a larger hill with more terrain variety, lessons, tubing, and snowboarding. It’s roughly a 50–55 minute drive from Inver Grove Heights and is a great option for a longer winter day trip.

☃️ Outdoor Play & Sledding Spots

Winter in Inver Grove Heights brings plenty of chances to enjoy the outdoors once snow settles in. On snowy days, parks and open lawns quickly become favorite places for sledding.

Inver Grove Heights spots to consider:

• Cedarhurst Meadows Park has a designated sledding hill plus playgrounds and open space that work well for winter play when snow conditions allow. Its family-friendly layout and winter-ready hill make it a great local choice for sledding after fresh snow. (Source: City of Cottage Grove, MN)

Further outdoors:

• Valley Place Park — The terrain at Valley Place Park in nearby Crystal allows for long sledding runs once snow conditions are right. It’s about a 45–50 minute drive from Inver Grove Heights and is well known among Twin Cities sledders for fun winter slopes.

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

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