Mt. Crescent Master Plan

Exploring four-season development at Mt. Crescent Ski Area.

Mt. Crescent Ski Area is a 106-acre property located in the heart of Iowa's Loess Hills north of Crescent, IA, and just 20 minutes from the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro. The area was purchased by Pottawattamie County in 2021 and is entering its second ski season under management by Pottawattamie County Conservation.

Pottawattamie County is looking to the community to share its vision for four-season recreation in the area. Input will be used to create a master development plan designed to increase recreation opportunities and revenue while protecting the globally significant Loess Hills ecosystem.

To guide this planning process, Pottawattamie County has retained the services of  SE Group , a consulting firm that specializes in Recreation and Resort Planning.

This site will be updated as the Mt. Crescent Ski Area Master Plan progresses, so please check back for more.

Stakeholder Interviews - Conducted

Between January and May 2024, conservation staff conducted nine stakeholder interviews with 76 individuals representing community groups with a special interest in recreation, conservation, tourism, community development, and education. Their feedback is being incorporated into the master plan draft.

Public Input Survey - Closed

Thank you to the 986 individuals who submitted their ideas for four-season recreation and development at Mt. Crescent. As of January 1, 2024, the survey was closed for analysis, and findings are being incorporated into the master plan draft.

The Loess Hills

Mt. Crescent is nestled in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills, a unique landform found only in two places in the world: along the western edge of Iowa and in an area southwest of Beijing, China.

Due to the steep topography, areas in the Loess Hills are generally not farmable or able to be developed, making it a great area for recreation and even skiing in the middle of the Great Plains!

Mt. Crescent harbors remnant prairie and woodland systems that not only are beautiful, but also protect water quality, support pollinators and other wildlife unique to this area, and prevent erosion.

Pictured: Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)

With less than 0.1% of native prairie remaining in Iowa,  it’s important to protect what little is left .

As of June 2023, new hiking trails at  Hitchcock Nature Center  loop through Mt. Crescent Ski Area and connect the two areas, making Mt. Crescent accessible year-round.

Site Maps

Get more familiar with Mt. Crescent's site features and development limitations by exploring some of the maps below.

Development Zone Definitions:

GREEN: Unrestricted Development Potential Nearly all development is possible so long as it fits with the mission and purpose of the area. Reasonable efforts should be made to restrict disturbance where feasible.

YELLOW: Moderate Development Potential Development is allowed but any existing ecological or geological features should be avoided if possible. If ecological or geologic impacts are unavoidable, they should be minimized to the extent practicable.

ORANGE: Low Development Potential Development should be restricted whenever possible and any considered developments should only have a small impact on the ecological or geologic features in the area. Examples of small impact developments include single track hiking trails, dispersed signage, or structures with small footprints requiring no footings or small footing requirements only.

RED: Restricted Development Potential Development of any kind in these areas is generally discouraged due to the presence of high quality or pristine ecological or geologic features. Very low-impact developments such as single-track trails could be considered but only after appropriate impact mitigation and site planning is completed.

Open House Feedback

Pottawattamie County hosted three open house events in October 2023 to collect public feedback on four-season development at Mt. Crescent Ski Area. Thank you to everyone who attended and took the time to learn more and share their vision!

Below, feel free to explore the dot poll boards that were used to collect public input.

Current Offerings

Mt. Crescent Ski Area is proud to offer skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and lessons during the winter ski season. A 25% discount is available for all Pottawattamie County residents. A new state-of-the-art snowmaking system, water and electrical upgrades, and improved land management efforts are improving visitor experience.

Year-round, Mt. Crescent is accessible through  Hitchcock Nature Center's  14-mile trail system for hiking. The site also features  Crescent Ridge Cabin  which can sleep up to 13 people.

Mt. Crescent Ski Area's  season passes for the 2024-2025  season are now on sale.

Questions or comments? Send us a note!