Our History
The Edwin Bryan family started Fun Valley on Thanksgiving Day in 1969 around the dinner table. Here is a brief history from then until now. We started with a single rope tow powered by an old Oliver tractor and a 12'x24' shed for a lodge. We had no rental building or equipment because we assumed everyone that skied had their own. On the first day of business we realized not everyone had their own equipment therefore we began our rental shop.

Our rentals started with 15 pairs of skis and approximately 20 pairs of leather double laced boots. Today we have 800 sets of state of the art rental equipment including skis, boots, poles, snowboards, sled dogs and ski blades. Our lodge is now 32'x140' which includes a rental shop, kitchen, pro shop and game room.

As skiing became popular the demand for additional lifts were needed. Between 1970-1983 additional rope tows and cable lifts were added and updated. In 1984 Iowa's skiers wanted more. Therefore we installed our first triple chairlift and it started carrying skiers in December 1984. In the last sixteen years two more double chairlifts were installed.

Our hobby soon became a business adventure. We started with family members running this adventure to 40-50 part-time and full-time winter employees.

In the beginning mother nature provided us with all the snow we needed. Times have changed an so have the needs for snowmaking. Fun Valley started with one homemade snow gun that used up to 5 gallons of water per minute. In 2000 we have 9 Areco snow machines that use up to 1260 gallons of water per minute. With the right temperatures we can go from grass to snow covered hills in 72 hours.

In 1996 Fun Valley opened a 5 lane snow tubing hill for our non skiers. You are transported to the top on an 11 story tall hill with a cable lift while you're sitting on your tube. You will travel down a 1000' long run at speeds up to 40 mph. What a rush!!!

In 2002 we introduced an Olympic size half pipe for snowboarding.
In 2003, we joined the USASA Organization to give snowboarders in Iowa a chance to compete with other snowboarders in the United States.

We have many things to brag about including an Olympic size half pipe for all you boarders as well as a large selection of new shaped rental skis and snowboards. Plan to come join us for some winter fun!