Hidden Valley Ski Resort Near St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is a long way from the mountains, so options for partaking in snow sports are fairly slim. Powder seekers flock to Hidden Valley, the only resort that offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing within an hour's drive from the city. Located in Wildwood—about 30 miles west—this locals' hangout is a little slice of winter paradise not too far away.

About Hidden Valley Ski Resort

Hidden Valley is the largest ski resort in Missouri, boasting 17 runs on about 65 acres of skiable terrain and a 310-foot vertical drop. About 30 percent of the runs are beginner-friendly, 60 percent intermediate, and the remaining 10 percent advanced. The resort also has an off-run terrain park for experts. Nine lifts (including five chair lifts), one rope tow, and several surface carpet lifts serve Hidden Valley skiers.

Apart from skiing and snowboarding, the resort also includes a Polar Plunge tubing area where guests of all ages can ride inner tubes down a 1,200-foot hill, then take a conveyor carpet back to the top. To keep things white during the winter, the resort gets only a little help from Mother Nature—almost all of the snow here is machine-made.

Hidden Valley offers ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and abilities, equipment rental, and a ski lodge featuring a bar, shop, and cafeteria. There are day lockers and vending machines available, too.

Location, Directions, and Hours

Hidden Valley Ski Resort is located at 17409 Hidden Valley Drive in Wildwood, St. Louis County. From the city, take I-44 West to the Eureka exit (no. 264), then exit onto Highway 109 and drive north about 2 miles to Alt Road. Turn left onto Alt Road and follow the signs to Hidden Valley Drive, leading to the resort.

Hidden Valley is open daily from mid-December to the end of February (weather permitting—check the snow report). Opening times can vary based on external conditions, but are generally 1 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The Polar Plunge tubing park is only open on weekends: Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hidden Valley's Midnight Madness weekends—which typically begin after Christmas Day and end in late February—extend opening hours until 1 a.m. On Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, there's usually special evening and overnight skiing.

Lift Tickets and Rental Fees

Daytime lift tickets and equipment rentals vary from day to day and the prices go up during busy times of the year. Generally, lift tickets cost $49 per person Monday through Thursday and $51 per person Friday through Sunday. Season passes vary in price and are provided through Epic Pass. Polar Plunge tubing tickets are $26 per person for a two-hour session, which includes the tube rental.