What Are the Best Winter Activities in Bergen County NJ? A 2027 Local's Guide

January and February are the two months when Bergen County families either lean into winter or count the days to spring. The good news is the county leans in hard. Skating rinks, sledding hills, and world-class indoor attractions sit within a short drive of nearly every town, and most of them are geared toward kids and grandparents alike.

Here is where to go, neighborhood by neighborhood, and how to plan a full winter weekend without driving far.

Ice Skating in Bergen County

The signature winter destination is the Bergen County Winter Wonderland at Van Saun County Park in Paramus. The county's holiday centerpiece includes an open-air skating rink, ice bumper cars, a beginner rink for kids, a carousel, and a heated hospitality pavilion with food trucks. It typically runs from late November to mid-January, so catch the final weeks each year before the rink closes for the season.

For serious skaters, The Ice House in Hackensack is the largest ice facility in the tri-state area, with four regulation NHL-size rinks, public skating sessions, and lessons. Two more solid options are Mackay Ice Rink in Englewood, a mostly covered rink with open skate and hockey, and Fritz Dietl Ice Rink in Westwood, Bergen's first indoor rink when it opened in 1958 and still a favorite for lessons and public sessions.

The Best Sledding Hills

A fresh snowfall turns Bergen County's parks into sledding destinations, and some hills are legendary. Atkins Glen Park in Park Ridge has a deep ravine that draws families from across the county. Citizens Park in Ridgewood offers gentler slopes with long runs, a better pick for younger kids.

Other reliable hills include Van Saun County Park, Milton A. Votee Park in Teaneck, and Froggy Park in Tenafly. A quick safety note for grandparents and parents alike: check for rocks, ice, and tree roots at the bottom of any hill, and have the youngest sledders use a hill with a clear run-out.

American Dream: Winter Without the Cold

If your family would rather ski than shovel, American Dream in East Rutherford is the single biggest indoor winter destination in the region. Big SNOW is a year-round indoor ski and snowboard resort with real snow, ideal for lessons and first-time skiers. Nickelodeon Universe is the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere, and DreamWorks Water Park is the largest indoor water park in North America.

The complex also includes an indoor NHL-regulation skating rink, The Rink at American Dream, where skate rental is included with admission. For a rainy or freezing day, it is an entire weekend in one building.

Indoor and Low-Key Winter Days

Not every winter day calls for a big outing. The Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park keeps animal exhibits open through the winter with a fraction of the summer crowds, and the Tenafly Nature Center offers gentle trails that are beautiful after a snowfall.

For little kids, the malls are a winter gift: Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus and the county's other indoor centers give toddlers a warm place to run, and family-friendly grocery stores like Stew Leonard's turn an errand into an afternoon. My holiday markets and winter events guide tracks the seasonal calendar, and the best towns for seniors guide covers which towns keep winter activities close to home.

Plan Your Winter Weekends

• Book rink sessions ahead. Winter Wonderland and American Dream rink times fill up fast on weekends.
• Check dates before you go. Seasonal rinks close in mid-January, so confirm the schedule on the venue's own site.
• Combine two activities in one trip. A morning at Van Saun's rink and zoo pairs naturally in Paramus.
• Dress in layers. Open-air skating means cold hands even on sunny days, and parents end up standing still the most.

The Bottom Line on Bergen County Winters

Bergen County winters are genuinely fun, and the county's parks department and private venues make it easy. Skate at Van Saun or The Ice House, sled at Atkins Glen or Citizens Park, ski at Big SNOW, and keep a low-key mall day in your back pocket for the coldest afternoons.

If you are comparing towns and want to know which ones keep parks, rinks, and commutes in easy reach all year, my pickleball court guide and hiking trails guide round out the year-round picture. I would be glad to help you find the right town for your family, reach me at (201) 970-3960 or Scott@sellecksellsnj.com.