Every story has a beginning.
This one is no different.
Come with us on a journey through time,
that ends with something
wonderous.Away we go...
From Crescent Ski Hills...
It started as a pet project among local ski enthusiasts from Omaha to create their own personal ski hill. They couldn’t keep it to themselves, though. The local community wanted to ski, too. The owners eventually began allowing public visitors and the area became Crescent Ski Hills, which celebrated its opening day in January 1961.Photo from the Durham Museum
To Mt. Crescent Ski Area...
In 1974 the property was sold to Russell Lindeman as a personal country retreat. But again, the community wanted in. They loved that piece of land. The overwhelming interest in the ski hill convinced the Lindeman family to start a new business, and Mt. Crescent Ski Area was born.Photo courtesy of the Lindeman Family
The area began to explore four-season recreation...
Russell retired in 2008 and sold the area to Korby and Samantha Fleisher of Vail, Colorado. During this time the area began to explore more four-season recreation opportunities outside of winter skiing and snowboarding, adding a zipline and hosting warm-season races and public events.Photo taken in 2017
And a new era of conservation began...
Pottawattamie County Conservation had expressed interest in preserving the property ever since Hitchcock Nature Center, a 1,500-acre public nature preserve just north of the area, was acquired in the early 90's. In December 2021 the stars aligned and the land and ski operation were purchased by the county as part of the conservation department's vision to establish one of the largest nature areas in Iowa's globally significant Loess Hills. In June 2023 hiking trails between the two areas were opened to the public, officially making the ski area a part of Hitchcock and accessible 365 days per year.Photo taken in October 2023 from Lotus Loop Trail
Forging a vibrant four-season vision for the area.
This new vision is crafted from the dreams of more than 1,000 community members and guided by experts in outdoor recreation planning and branding. It explores exciting recreation opportunities for the area, always balancing land stewardship and environmental education with play.The area’s Master Plan featuring potential recreation activities and facilities will be released in March 2025.
Footage courtesy of Heartland Photo & Design and Camp Outpost.
Elevated Adventures in Every Season
THE NAME
Crescent Hill at Hitchcock gives a nod to the ski area’s history, maintains the decades-long connection to the nearby community of Crescent, and helps the public understand that it is part of Hitchcock Nature Center.
Further, it puts the focus back on the Loess Hills. After all, without this globally significant landform, the current winter and potential four-season activities to be enjoyed here would not be possible.
THE MARK
The logo mark features organic shapes layered together to create a sloping hill that emphasizes the unique layering of loess soil that has built the area’s topography.
Its colors are rooted in both the Pottawattamie County and Pottawattamie Conservation brands and showcase the area’s four-season recreation appeal.
THE VISION
Together, the name and mark help position the area as a premier four-season recreation destination that inspires visitors near and far to reconnect with nature.
Our Core Values
Spark joy
We create opportunities for visitors to get outside, have fun and enjoy nature in every season.
Pursue excellence
Our team gives 150% to make each visit to Crescent Hill special and ensure the land is better tomorrow.
Foster community
We bring people from all backgrounds together to connect over a shared interest in the outdoors.
Inspire stewardship
Our love of the Loess Hills is contagious and inspires visitors to care for our unique landform.
Elevate education
Underneath every adventure is a thoughtfully crafted opportunity to learn about geography, sustainability and conservation.
The area’s four-season master plan will be released to the public in March 2025.
Questions? Email us.
A special thank you is due to our community liaison team, including representatives from the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Iowa West Foundation, Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation, and the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, who provided invaluable input on the area’s new brand direction. Thank you!
Branding support for this project was provided by our community partner, Ervin & Smith.