Perfect North Slopes (Lawrenceburg, IN)

Perfect North Slopes is a skiing and snowboarding destination in southern Indiana. It’s a great place to build your skills!

If you want to go skiing or snowboarding and you live anywhere in Kentucky or southern Ohio or Indiana, you know that snow conditions are — well, let’s say, not usually optimal.

Chances are, you’ll need to head to Perfect North Slopes.

As long as it’s cold enough, Perfect North can make snow using the water from an adjacent lake, and then sculpt it into the ideal environment for winter recreation.

This winter recreation hub is located at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. It’s about 30 miles west of Cincinnati, Ohio.

This also means it’s the closest ski destination to cities like Lexington, Louisville, and Indianapolis. From any of those spots, you can be at Perfect North in under two hours.

Looking for more outdoor recreation in the area? Try Big Bone Lick Historic Site in northern Kentucky or East Fork State Park on the other side of Cincy.

Here’s what you need to know if this is your first time visiting Perfect North.

Slope Stats

There are 23 runs in total at Perfect North Slopes. The trail map spells out which ones are easier (green circle) and which ones are most difficult (black diamond).

Not all runs are open on any given day. The snow report on the website will keep you up-to-date on conditions.

The vertical drop on the hill is 400 feet, and the longest run (The Far Side) is one mile.

With multiple “terrain parks” and easy runs, as well as lessons available every hour, Perfect North is a nice place to learn how to ski or to improve your skills.

(If you’re a new skier like me, here are some tips for what to expect and plan for, and some suggestions on the best gear for beginners!)

But it’s also a place for pros. Ski racing events are held on certain days, and are open to the public. Whether you’re interested in participating or just watching, check the website for the schedule.

On a recent trip to Perfect North, I spent a lot of the day watching tiny, tiny kids practice on tiny, tiny skis on the bunny slope — it was adorable.

The bunny slope uses a “magic carpet” instead of a ski lift, so you can get used to your skis or board without getting on a ski lift.

There are also several ski lift systems to green-, blue- and black-level slopes.

When you’re not skiing, store your skis and poles on the equipment racks provided. Bring along a lock to keep your gear secure.

Getting Tickets at Perfect North

You can either purchase a lift-only ticket, or a lift-and-rental ticket (if you need skis, boots and poles).

You get discounts for buying tickets online or in groups.

If you’re worried about buying lift tickets online because of the ever-changing weather, it’s nice that the online lift tickets aren’t date-specific. So if it rains when you planned to go, you didn’t waste your money!

Various types of season pass are also available if you’re hoping to do multiple trips!

Snow Tubing at Perfect North

Not up for skiing or snowboarding? Try snow tubing!

With multiple lanes going down a moderate 1,200-foot slope, “magic carpet” rides back to the starting point, and a specific area for very young children, this is a favorite for many groups.

Use of a tube is included in the ticket price.

The snow tubing section of the park has its own seating areas, fire pits, big heated tents, and food options.

When facing the main hill, the snow tubing area is by the parking lot to the far right. You can either buy tickets online, or head directly over to that parking lot to purchase them on site.

It’s kind of its own separate little park over there!

Relaxing at the Lodge

Ready to take a break? There are several cafeteria-style seating areas throughout the two-story lodge.

When we visited, I didn’t notice any sitting areas that looked particularly comfy, but there were plenty of seats and a fireplace.

There are also seating areas outside, and the ones on the East Lodge side of the building include fire pits to keep warm.

I had fun sitting by the fire pit at the end of the day and watching the skiers and snowboarders coming down the slopes (sometimes successfully, sometimes not).

Where to Eat

There’s a cafeteria inside, as well as a coffee shop.

At lunchtime there was an outdoor grill near the East Lodge patio. (The website says this outdoor grill is just on the weekends.)

At lunch and dinner, there was also a food truck that sold ice cream, drinks and snack foods.

Of course, by the end of the day, you may very well be ready to go in search of a heartier meal — like the German food and beer offered at Hofbrauhaus or amazing Indian food at Guru. Both places are back in Kentucky.

Where to Shop

There’s a small ski shop at the lodge, so if you forgot something you can purchase gear there. There’s also a tuning shop if your equipment needs adjustment.

Shopping for cold-weather gear before you go? Check out my guides to the best women’s outdoor wear and to merino wool clothes, like this wonderful merino wool long-sleeve half-zip. And if you, like me, struggle to find comfy boots, here are my suggestions for wide calf ski boots.

And those are the basics for a trip to Perfect North! I hope you have a fantastic time in the snow.