Winter Activities in Youngstown, Ohio

While winter in Youngstown, Ohio, can bring blustery winds and falling snow, it also provides for some amazingly fun outdoor recreation. The whole family can enjoy a wide range of winter activities, from sledding and ice skating to downhill skiing or ice fishing. If you’re trying to decide what to do this upcoming weekend, consider one of the winter recreational pastimes below.

Ice Skating

When you want to take advantage of the cold weather, take the family ice skating. Even the little ones can get in on the fun. The Youngstown area is home to both indoor and outdoor skating rinks, depending on your preference. Not only will you have a fantastic time but you’ll also get a good workout.

The Deep Freeze Ice Arena has an ice skating schedule that can accommodate all skill levels, from the new learner to the highly experienced. Family Skate invites families of all ages to enjoy this cold weather activity together, and Public Skate is open to anyone in the community. The arena also hosts times for Freestyle skate as well as Toddler Time, which is specifically for small children learning how to navigate on ice. If you need to rent or sharpen ice skates, the arena offers both ice skate rentals and sharpening services.

The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown features a large synthetic outdoor rink that doesn’t require freezing temperatures to use, making it available all winter. Skating is free and open to the community. After taking a few laps around the rink, stop at the Ice Shack for a delicious hot chocolate. Ice skates are also available for rent if you don’t have your own.

Cross-Country & Downhill Skiing

It certainly wouldn’t be winter in Youngstown without cross-country or downhill skiing. Whether you’re an experienced downhill skier who loves the feel of snow brushing across your face or you prefer the more relaxing pace of cross-country, you’ll find a ski resort nearby that’s perfect for a day out on the slopes.

Alpine Valley, located about 60 miles away in Chesterland, offers the perfect winter adventure for the cold weather enthusiast. The resort features several trails and slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and experience levels. You can even take child or adult ski and snowboard lessons or book a private lesson.

Snow Tubing

If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your style, try your hand at snow tubing. The largest tubing park in northeast Ohio, Polar Blast Tubing Park, is located only 60 miles from Youngstown in Sagamore Hills.

Polar Blast offers the utmost in winter excitement with its snow tubing experience. The park provides snow tubes for your cold yet thrilling outdoor enjoyment and does the hard work of hauling that tube back up the hill with its two-lane conveyor belt. After taking a few runs down one of the many tubing lanes, try out a super lane for even more adrenaline-packed amusement. The snow tubing adventure park is a great option for family reunions, birthday parties, corporate outings, and more.

Ice Fishing

Casting your line isn’t just for warmer weather. Ice fishing is popular in Youngstown, especially with many lakes nearby. Once you obtain the necessary Ohio fishing license to enjoy this all-weather sport, you’ll have the opportunity to catch walleye, bass, northern pike, crappie, and more.

About 20 miles from Youngstown, Mosquito Lake State Park offers several outdoor pursuits for the fishing fanatic. While boating and fishing are the top two activities at the park, you can also enjoy winter thrills such as snowmobiling and hiking.

At Lake Milton State Park, only 20 miles outside of Youngstown, you can cast your line for smallmouth bass, walleye, brown bullhead, bluegill, yellow perch, and more. If you wish to stay the weekend at Lake Milton, you can spend Saturday fishing and then ride the snowmobile trails all day Sunday.

Waterfall Viewing

Image via Flickr by EDrost88

You can find several places near Youngstown to view the phenomenal waterfalls of the Buckeye State. Even during winter, these cascading showers display beauty and elegance surrounded by falling snow and ice-covered trees. Spend your days hiking and exploring these wonderful waterfalls.

Brandywine Falls can be very busy during the peak summer season, but during the winter, it offers relaxation and solitude. Hike the Brandywine Gorge Trail to view the falls, then move on to exploring the winding creeks, layers of rocks, and forest trails. Brandywine Falls, located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is approximately 60 miles from Youngstown.

Mill Creek Park is host to Lanterman’s Falls and the Mill Creek Gorge. With its steep hillsides, evergreen trees, and stone outcroppings, you can view the incredible Lanterman’s Falls in all its glory. While you’re there, partake in some cross-country skiing and sledding.

Outdoor Hiking

Find some of the state’s most striking and impressive views within its national and regional parks. Hike past snow-covered trees and down frosty forest paths to find these magical winter wonderlands.

Hell Hollow Wilderness Area provides more than a looped hiking trail for your viewing pleasure. Get an amazing workout and much-needed fresh air when you hike through the deep river valley. Experience the impressive 360-million-year-old Chagrin Shale cliff and the 100-foot-deep ravine Paine Creek chiseled out thousands of years ago. The name “Hell Hollow” refers to the sharp and rough terrain that characterizes this wilderness area.

For a more leisurely stroll, check out Poland Township Park. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the park offers trails that hikers and walkers can enjoy year-round. Be sure to stop and watch for more than 150 species of birds that have made their home here. Look for screech owls, sparrow hawks, bluebirds, and more.

Now that you have a good idea of all winter has to offer in Youngstown, which activity will you pursue this weekend? Does your family have a favorite winter pastime that we missed? If so, contact us to let us know. In the meantime, enjoy this time of year no matter what you choose to do with your family and friends.