Whether you love it or hate it, winter is here in the Hawkeye State! It’s time to make the best of it by embarking on a winter adventure in Iowa that the whole family will enjoy. Plan a time to enjoy outdoor ice skating in Iowa and suddenly the cold won’t be bothering you so much.

Did you know that you can find a massive outdoor ice rink right here in Des Moines?

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

The Brenton Skating Plaza opens mid-November to host all sorts of winter fun in the Des Moines area.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

Whether it’s your first time on the ice or you were an extra in “The Cutting Edge”, you’ll find that the Plaza has something for you to enjoy.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

Kids and adults alike come to the Plaza for skating, socializing, and a chilly thrill. You can bring your own skates or rent them there, so there’s no excuse to not visit this season.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

There’s nothing like skating under the stars or playing in the snow when it begins to fall!

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

Keep an eye on the Brenton Skating Plaza calendar, so you know what events are coming to the ice. Mascot and Character Skates are always fun for families.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

If you’re looking to try something new, head to Brenton Skating Plaza for an introduction to curling! This Winter Olympus sport is a blast to play.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

The Plaza also offers a Broomball league, so gather your friends and sign up for the season! This fun game is a variation of hockey that anyone can learn to play.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

Oh, and Santa stops here, too! The giant Christmas Tree turns the skating plaza into a holiday wonderland in the weeks before Christmas.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

Visit the Brenton Skating Plaza website to see when holiday happenings, curling clinics, and Broomball games are scheduled. There’s something fun happening almost every day of the week! Here are eight free winter activities in Iowa that your whole family will love! If you have any favorite Iowa winter locations, let us know about them in the comments.

Facebook / Brenton Skating Plaza

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Address: 520 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter In Iowa November 12, 2022 William Suphan What is winter like in Iowa? This is what winter is like in Iowa:

Winter temperatures in Iowa range from highs of 31-36°F to lows between 14-19°F. Average snowfall in Iowa is from 18 to 42 inches per year, with the capital city of Des Moines averaging 36.5 inches of snow per year. The coldest recorded temperature in Iowa was -47°F in Elkader in 1996. Winter lasts for 3.1 months, from November 30 to March 2. 

Here are ten survival tips for surviving what winter is like in Iowa.  What are the most popular winter activities in Iowa? These are the most popular winter activities in Iowa:

University of Okoboji Winter Games - Taking place in Arnolds Park, this collection of winter activities like polar plunges, chili cook-offs, and broomball tournaments is an extremely popular winter activity in Iowa. Skiing at Sundown Mountain Resort - Located in Dubuque, this resort has 21 different ski trails and is free of avalanches.  Snowmobiling at the Snow Pioneers Trail System - This well-kept snowmobile trail system has scenic views and is surrounded by many quaint small towns.

Here are 11 more popular winter activities in Iowa for the whole family. What are the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa? These are the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa:

Seven Oaks Recreation - Located in Boone, Iowa, this place offers ski and snowboard rentals for all ages and has 11 runs for every age and skill level. Orange City - Every year in December, this town celebrates Sinterklaas, a Dutch Christmas tradition. St. Nicholas arrives on horseback to commence the revelry. Grumpsters Log Cabins - McGregor is home to these log cabins which are a popular winter getaway to enjoy a remote cabin in the snow. Jester Park Equestrian Center - Locals enjoy going to the town of Granger to go on horse-drawn sleigh rides throughout the winter season in Iowa.

Here are 11 cozy winter retreats that make for some of the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter In Iowa

November 12, 2022

William Suphan

What is winter like in Iowa? This is what winter is like in Iowa:

Winter temperatures in Iowa range from highs of 31-36°F to lows between 14-19°F. Average snowfall in Iowa is from 18 to 42 inches per year, with the capital city of Des Moines averaging 36.5 inches of snow per year. The coldest recorded temperature in Iowa was -47°F in Elkader in 1996. Winter lasts for 3.1 months, from November 30 to March 2. 

Here are ten survival tips for surviving what winter is like in Iowa.  What are the most popular winter activities in Iowa? These are the most popular winter activities in Iowa:

University of Okoboji Winter Games - Taking place in Arnolds Park, this collection of winter activities like polar plunges, chili cook-offs, and broomball tournaments is an extremely popular winter activity in Iowa. Skiing at Sundown Mountain Resort - Located in Dubuque, this resort has 21 different ski trails and is free of avalanches.  Snowmobiling at the Snow Pioneers Trail System - This well-kept snowmobile trail system has scenic views and is surrounded by many quaint small towns.

Here are 11 more popular winter activities in Iowa for the whole family. What are the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa? These are the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa:

Seven Oaks Recreation - Located in Boone, Iowa, this place offers ski and snowboard rentals for all ages and has 11 runs for every age and skill level. Orange City - Every year in December, this town celebrates Sinterklaas, a Dutch Christmas tradition. St. Nicholas arrives on horseback to commence the revelry. Grumpsters Log Cabins - McGregor is home to these log cabins which are a popular winter getaway to enjoy a remote cabin in the snow. Jester Park Equestrian Center - Locals enjoy going to the town of Granger to go on horse-drawn sleigh rides throughout the winter season in Iowa.

Here are 11 cozy winter retreats that make for some of the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

This is what winter is like in Iowa:

  • Winter temperatures in Iowa range from highs of 31-36°F to lows between 14-19°F.
  • Average snowfall in Iowa is from 18 to 42 inches per year, with the capital city of Des Moines averaging 36.5 inches of snow per year.
  • The coldest recorded temperature in Iowa was -47°F in Elkader in 1996.
  • Winter lasts for 3.1 months, from November 30 to March 2.

Here are ten survival tips for surviving what winter is like in Iowa. 

What are the most popular winter activities in Iowa?

These are the most popular winter activities in Iowa:

  • University of Okoboji Winter Games - Taking place in Arnolds Park, this collection of winter activities like polar plunges, chili cook-offs, and broomball tournaments is an extremely popular winter activity in Iowa.
  • Skiing at Sundown Mountain Resort - Located in Dubuque, this resort has 21 different ski trails and is free of avalanches.
  • Snowmobiling at the Snow Pioneers Trail System - This well-kept snowmobile trail system has scenic views and is surrounded by many quaint small towns.

Here are 11 more popular winter activities in Iowa for the whole family.

What are the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa?

These are the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa:

  • Seven Oaks Recreation - Located in Boone, Iowa, this place offers ski and snowboard rentals for all ages and has 11 runs for every age and skill level.
  • Orange City - Every year in December, this town celebrates Sinterklaas, a Dutch Christmas tradition. St. Nicholas arrives on horseback to commence the revelry.
  • Grumpsters Log Cabins - McGregor is home to these log cabins which are a popular winter getaway to enjoy a remote cabin in the snow.
  • Jester Park Equestrian Center - Locals enjoy going to the town of Granger to go on horse-drawn sleigh rides throughout the winter season in Iowa.

Here are 11 cozy winter retreats that make for some of the best winter destinations to visit in Iowa.