The holidays may be behind us, but as anyone from Colorado knows, the snow will continue for many months to come. While snow may be more tolerable (dare I say, even enjoyable!) when it feels Christmasy, it doesn’t have to be a nuisance once Christmas is past. The next time we get a good snow, grab your kids and head to one of these great spots to enjoy some sledding or tubing in the Denver area.
Sledding Hills in the Denver Area
Ruby Hill Rail Park – Denver
Denver Parks and Rec has partnered with Winter Park Resort to bring winter sports to the city. There is a tubing and sledding spot as well as snowboarding rails. If you have snowboarders in the family, they can get in some time without going to the mountains! Starting Friday, January 31, 2025, DPR will be offering FREE rental equipment, including snowboards, boots, helmets, and snow tubes, on Fridays from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturdays & Sundays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, plus a list of special events throughout February and March, visit their website.
Heritage Park – Highlands Ranch
Tucked behind the Post Office at the intersection of University and Quebec in Highlands Ranch, there is an outdoor bowl used for summer concerts. Winter bonus? The large semi-circular hill used for summer concert audiences is perfect for sledding when it snows! This is a great hill for families with younger children because the sledding will not get too intense or fast, but it is still fun enough for older kids and adults to enjoy themselves, too.
Meridian Village – Parker
If you head East on Lincoln Ave from I-25 toward Parker, as you pass by the Meridian Village neighborhood, you can’t miss an epic sledding hill! Tall and steep, younger kids might prefer to start halfway down so it won’t become too intense but older kids and adults will love starting at the top and racing the whole way down!
Ken Caryl Sledding Hill – Littleton
Voted by many a sledder as the best place for sledding in Littleton, this sledding hill in the Ken Caryl area is north-facing which means it will retain its snow longer than many! It is located near S. Kipling Pkwy and W. Ken Caryl Ave. It is owned by Jefferson County Open Spaces but parking is limited so parking at a nearby park and walking may be necessary.
Chautauqua Park – Boulder
Chautauqua Park is a popular sledding destination in Boulder. It also has cross-country skiing and snowshoeing if some in your group prefer. Parking here can be a challenge, though, so consider parking nearby and beginning your outing with a beautiful winter hike to the main hill.
Tantra Park – Boulder
Also in Boulder, many love Tantra Park for its dependability and size. Longer than a football field and 60-feet wide, these hills provide longer, more intense sledding than some. Great for those looking for a thrill or who want their sled ride to last longer. Skiing and snowboarding are also allowed here. Given the higher intensity of the sledding, it could be a good idea to put on a helmet.
Hidden Valley – Rocky Mountain National Park
If you are getting away to Estes Park or planning some winter hiking in the national park, pack your sleds. Hidden Valley used to be a ski destination but now is used for sledding. Benefits here include pavilions with picnic tables and heated restrooms! Keep in mind: being inside the national park means you will need to buy a park pass at the entrance gate if you do not already have one.
Tubing Hills in the Denver Area
Fraser Tubing Hill
If you don’t mind a little jaunt into the mountains, or you will already be in the Fraser/Winter Park area for skiing, tubing is an excellent way to enjoy the snow! Similar to sledding but faster, tubing hills provide a nice alternative to the more basic sledding hills back in the city. It does cost admission, as opposed to free hills back home, but can be a great adventure. It is recommended you dress in attire similar to clothing (including goggles or sunglasses if it’s a sunny day!) so that everyone stays comfortable and enjoys their time. To find out more about conditions, hours and prices visit their website.
Frisco Adventure Park
If you’ll be more in the Silverthorne part of the mountains, or are willing to drive in for some tubing, Frisco Adventure Park has a large tubing hill as well. Similar to Fraser, cost of admission is required and you pay by the hour. They have a lodge where you can eat a packed lunch and use the restrooms while everyone warms back up. They also offer ski and snowboard lessons. Find out more about all they offer and prices here.
Don’t let the cold weather keep you in. There are lots of fun adventures to be had even when it is cold and snowy! If you can’t make it to one of these sledding spots, you’re sure to find a great hill near you. Just carve out a run and go for it!