Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Seven Oaks that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Seven Oaks stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Seven Oaks review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Seven Oaks
Total (2.8)
A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
For the 2023 Season, Seven Oaks has done a great job with snowmaking and grooming for an Iowa location. The terrain parks (both small and large) have been pretty good for beginner and intermediates (jump progressions and rails). The lift lines have been short on the Friday's and Saturdays that I have been there. Good family friendly atmosphere and decent bar and seating area.
Overall, a gem in Iowa.
rmack501
Considering its in the middle of Iowa, (where theres not alot of options) its not bad. Its a small mom & pop type place. Thats great for beginners. The more experienced can at least keep thier ski legs, until they get enough time off to travel further.
The staff is not friendly. Limited ticket options. But, this place is OK if you want your kids to learn first steps. There is nothing else around, only one place in Des-Moines.
Jim Cummins
Seven Oaks serves the Boone, Ames, Carroll, and Des Moines area in Central Iowa. The skiing is very limited by anyones standards but if you live in the area and are a beginner skier or boarder looking for a place where you can comfortably learn there really isn't a better place. I am an advanced skier but hit lines at Boone just to have fun and to keep my legs fresh. Since not all of us can make it out west multiple times a year it is great to have a place within driving distance from Iowa State University. Boone has all the features of a Mom and Pop operation so runs are short but staff are always friendly. If you Expect to spend lots of time on the lift. Bring your iPod or enjoy some good conversation with friends. If you're a parent the new lodge allows you to watch your little skiers while staying warm and enjoying some hot chocolate.
Personally I'd never done any rails or boxes before and Boone was a great place to get over that fear. They now have a dedicated terrain park where as in previous years they had rails sitting in the middle of groomers. This is a significant improvement. This isn't the only improvement at the so called "Boone Bump". Recent renovations to the lodge, newer rental equipment, and an improved website show management is trying to make the experience better for the locals who frequent Seven Oaks.
Currently the hill is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. They still haven't opened two runs which seem to have plenty of snow. Perhaps after the holidays they'll be 100% open. If you want to a bit of untouched snow take the Terrain Park lift, go left off the top of the lift and go past the terrain park run. There is a tiny "bowl" that is probably the steepest, best run you're going to get at Seven Oaks.
Small place, but nothing else is really close. For kids who have never, and will never ski/ ride in the mountains, I'm sure its a fun day. The terrain is pretty homogenous - point your skis/ board toward the bottom and go. It's Iowa, so you know people will be friendly. Family friendly, easy to get to.
They run a tubing service on the Des Moines river in the summer. Pretty fun to do on a warm afternoon.
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