Mount Crescent is a nice little hill that has big hill amenities and won't put you in debt skiing there.
There are wide gentle slopes for very family friendly skiing where moms can easily keep track of their kids. Better than that, there are excellent ski instructors to make sure your kids learn to ski, snowboard, and race at an affordable price in a laid back environment not pushing them to become world class competitors but rather appreciative safe skiers. The runs are very well groomed and professionally run with tons of snow making ability to keep the runs open.
The owners are originally from Vail, Colorado so they moved here with the intention of making Mount Crescent more of a Colorado kind of ski resort, despite its not being a big mountain or having a huge vertical drop or demanding natural terrain. Mount Crescent only has a vertical drop of 300 feet, but they make the most of it because of their background and expertise in creating a ski area everyone can love. It is spread over 50 acres with 3 lifts (double and quad) taking you up to 14 trails. When you get tired of skiing, there is a terrain park, a separate snow tubing hill, and discounted rates for night skiing.
They also have a Zibob Sledding course. Haven't heard of it? It is very popular in European resorts. It is a cool downhill slalom course just for sledding. Go up on the lift, and go down individually or in groups on your bottom on a "sled" that can carve and turn corners and go off slight inclines. If you haven't tried it yet, you are in for a treat! Although grandma may not want to try it, anyone young at heart will have a great time!
One of the reasons Mount Crescent is such a great place to learn how to ski is the lesson structure called "Station Rotation," a way of giving newbies a brief taste of each kind of skiing for only $5. Once a newbie decides which was more fun: skiing or snowboarding---they can then sign up for a full lesson, either private or group.
Mount Crescent sports a two-story lodge with a big sundeck and outdoor fire pit. There is a full service rental facility and store for all your ski and snowboard needs. And for dining, the Mountain Café & Bar offers warming food.
Mount Crescent is located in western Iowa, 15 miles from Omaha, Nebraska, so it might make sense to book a hotel in Omaha with its many options and drive back and forth to Mount Crescent. There are ample options for every budget.
If you are traveling with family members who do not want to ski you are in luck because Omaha has so many other things to do. Make sure to visit the Old Market, the Durham Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, and for the kids, the Amazing Pizza Machine. What is it? It is a large entertainment complex with a huge family buffet, many different dining rooms, and big screen TVs.
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