An Iowa recreation area that has been unable to offer traditional winter skiing is getting an $18 million makeover, complete with a new chairlift, snowmaking infrastructure, additional ski runs and a modern lodge.
Polk County officials broke ground October 22 on the redevelopment of Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in Des Moines. The ambitious project aims to restore winter skiing and snowboarding to the longtime recreation destination while transforming it into a year-round attraction.
The 76-acre property has struggled with aging infrastructure, including a nonfunctioning chairlift and snowmaking equipment. Those problems have prevented the park from offering traditional lift-served skiing, despite its history as a popular winter recreation destination.
The redevelopment is expected to be completed in late 2027 or early 2028, with officials targeting the 2027-28 winter season for the return of skiing and snowboarding.
New Chairlift, Snowmaking, and 11 Winter Recreation Hills
According to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the project will expand Sleepy Hollow to 11 winter recreation hills, including four downhill skiing and snowboarding runs, an accessible chairlift and a dedicated terrain park.
The improvements also include a new snowmaking system designed to provide more reliable winter conditions, along with conveyor lifts and a 200-foot Snowflex beginner hill:
“Polk County Conservation plans to transform the aging Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in Des Moines into an inclusive, four-season outdoor recreation destination with expanded skiing, snowboarding and tubing opportunities, including 11 winter sports hills, a new accessible chairlift, a terrain park for freestyle tricks and an artificial intelligence-assisted snowmaking system. The project also includes an 18,000-square-foot lodge with a public brewpub, equipment rentals and gathering space, along with expanded camping, hiking and mountain biking opportunities. Once fully restored, the park is expected to attract up to 200,000 visitors annually and generate an estimated $4.1 million in direct visitor spending in the Des Moines area. The $17 million project was awarded a $4.25 million grant.“
Sleepy Hollow already operates a 600-foot artificial Snowflex slope that opened in 2024. The specialized surface allows tubing, skiing and snowboarding without natural snow, but its water-based lubrication system cannot operate during freezing weather. The new snowmaking equipment and chairlift will allow the park to bring back the traditional winter activities that were once central to its operations.
A major part of the redevelopment will be replacing the existing lodge with a new 18,000-square-foot facility featuring equipment rentals, gathering spaces, a restaurant and a public brewpub. Additional plans include expanded hiking and mountain biking opportunities, camping improvements and connections to local trails.
Public and Private Funding Makes $18 Million Project Possible
The redevelopment received a significant boost in September when the state approved a $4.25 million Destination Iowa grant. The overall project budget has since reached approximately $18 million, with funding coming from a combination of state assistance, county investments and private contributions.
According to KCCI’s reporting on the October groundbreaking, organizers had secured more than $16 million toward the project by the time construction began.
Polk County Conservation purchased Sleepy Hollow from longtime owners Rick and Mary Flatt in 2022 for approximately $3.5 million. The couple originally opened the recreation area in 1994, eventually expanding its offerings to include skiing, snowboarding, tubing, golf, go-karts, concerts and seasonal festivals.
The county has continued operating portions of the property while working toward the larger redevelopment. Sleepy Hollow’s artificial tubing slope and popular seasonal events, including its Halloween Scream Park, have helped maintain its role as a local recreation destination.
The project also represents an investment in the region’s outdoor recreation economy. State officials estimate that a fully restored Sleepy Hollow could attract as many as 200,000 visitors annually and generate approximately $4.1 million in direct visitor spending in the Des Moines area. Those figures are projections rather than guaranteed results.
Bringing Winter Skiing Back to Central Iowa
The effort comes as smaller ski areas throughout the Midwest continue looking for ways to maintain operations and attract new generations of skiers and snowboarders. Public ownership has already played a role in preserving skiing elsewhere in Iowa, where Mt. Crescent has operated under county management since its acquisition by Pottawattamie County.
For Sleepy Hollow, the long-term goal extends beyond simply replacing aging equipment. Polk County Conservation wants to establish a recreation destination that introduces more local residents to winter sports while offering outdoor activities throughout the rest of the year.
Construction began with preparations to demolish the old lodge and make way for the new facilities. Additional work on the ski hills, snowmaking infrastructure and chairlift is planned throughout 2027.
If the project stays on schedule, central Iowa skiers and snowboarders could be riding a new chairlift at Sleepy Hollow during the winter of 2027-28, restoring a longstanding local skiing tradition while introducing a substantially upgraded recreation area.
More information about the redevelopment and current activities is available through Sleepy Hollow Sports Park.
