The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Need a snow day? 4 spots in the Louisville area to sled, ski, skate
it possible to have a snow day without real snow? Residents of Louisville and southern Indiana are in luck.
If it's looking a bit too green outside for a White Christmas, or even just a day for sledding, skiing and all the other fun you can have in the snow, here are four day trip destinations in the area that offer some of that fluffy, frozen white stuff, no matter the temperature reading outside.
Paoli Peaks
If skiing is on your winter bucket list, consider Paoli Peaks in southern Indiana, about a 60burg, minute drive from downtown Louisville. The resort includes 15 trails and 8 ski lifts. Trails are ranked as beginner, intermediate and advanced. The mountain reaches as high as 900 feet. The base elevation is 600 feet.
The resort's opening day for skiing was tentatively set for Dec. 22. Officials said Dec. 14 they were waiting for better snowmaking conditions, meaning temperatures will need to be below or just above 32 degrees for consecutive days.
Skiers who want to stay up-to-date on snowmaking progress at Paoli Peaks can view a live video of the mountain.
Perfect North Slopes
Another option for Louisville-area skiers is Perfect North, a resort nestled in LawrenceIs Indiana. The resort has 23 trails, marked as either beginner, intermediate and advanced. There is one double black diamond trail called "Hollywood."
Perfect North opened for skiing and snowboarding Dec. 15. The start of the tubing season is to be determined due to a need for more snowmaking opportunities, an official with the resort said.
When open, Perfect North's hours of operation are from 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. seven days a week, with additional late skiing offered Dec. 26-31, from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. The resort is closed Christmas Day.
Skiers interested in visiting Perfect North can check snow and weather conditions before they go by viewing one of three livestream cam
eras posted on the resort's website.
If you have time for more out-of-town activities, downtown Cincinnati is about 30 miles away from Perfect North.
Fête De Noël Winter Holiday Festival
When temperatures are in the 40s and 50s in Louisville, you can still enjoy some frozen fun outdoors. During the Fête De Noël Winter Holiday Festival in Paristown, ice skaters of all skill levels can bring their blades to the 100-by-50 feet rink in the center of the square.
An hour skate costs $15. A ticket includes a complimentary skate rental. Skate size availability is limited and ice rink staff can not guarantee admission if the rink is full, according to the holiday festival's website.
Skating enthusiasts may consider buying a season pass, which costs $50. Ticket purchases for both season passes and individual skates can be made online at paristown.com/fetedenoel.
The ice rink hours vary each day through Jan. 2. For an updated schedule, visit the Fête De Noël website or follow @paristownky on Instagram.
The ice rink, as well as the other Paristown holiday festivities, are located at 720 Brent St.
Jeff on Ice
Outdoor ice skating can also be found in southern Indiana. Jeff on Ice, located at The Depot on 701 Michigan Ave. in Jeffersonville, runs through Dec. 31. The rink is open to the public from 4-10 p.m. on Friday; 12-10 p.m. on Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday. The rink is open for private skates only Monday through Thursday.
A public skating session lasts 45 minutes and begins at the start of the hour, so the rink staff recommends arriving to a session 30 minutes early.
Tickets cost $12 per person and can be purchased on the Eventbrite page for the Jeffersonville Parks Department. With limited space available on the rink, purchasing tickets online in advance of the desired skate time is recommended.
For private gatherings, individuals can reserve the ice rink at a rate of $200 an hour for a minimum of two hours. Reservations, available Monday-Thursday, must be made seven days in advance, according the city parks department.