Sledding/Snowboarding Hill - an hour from the Springs (Denver: work, resort)

[Amery523]

If you are a beginning snowboarder and were looking for a place to work on perfecting your skills so you could eventually go to the ski resorts and not feel like you were wasting your money on just FALLING DOWN all day long....I finally found a perfect hill to practice on. Good news: it's FREE! Bad news: it's not in town.

Drive an hour north to Littleton and you will find SLEDDING HILL PARK. We just went there yesterday and even though it's mainly for sledding, I still counted quite a few snowboarders, and there were some adults (like me) among them!

Littleton got 7 inches of snow on Christmas Day, followed by another 7 inches on Dec 27th. The hill was wonderful! It faces north so it takes its sweet time melting.

Take I-25 North, to C-470 West (heading towards Grand Junction). Exit Kipling and turn right. At the intersection of Kipling and Ken Caryl, go through the light and immediately look to the left. You will see the hill and the parking lot at the bottom. You'll need to make a U-turn at the next light and come back and park. It's about an hour drive from N. Academy.

Get there early though - by 11am the lot was full. We got there at 8:30am and practically had the hill to ourselves. When we left at 12:30, cars were waiting to get in!

Another good place to sled/beginning snowboard is Toboggan Hill in Monument. Intersection of Deer Creek Rd and Toboggan Hill Rd. We drove by (after getting great word-of-mouth recommendations from some friends who live near there) and I would have to say the Sledding Hill Park in Littleton is better - longer run - but if Monument got pelted with snow and Littleton didn't - I would hit Toboggan Hill in a heartbeat!

Hee hee! So excited! My daughter and I can practice our snowboarding, get a lot better at it (i.e. to the point where we're not falling every 20 feet or so) and then, hit the ski resorts! I hate the idea of driving 2 or 2 1/2 hours to PAY them and then fall down all day long, on the beginner hill!! Plus there's the issue of gas....and I get sleepy on the long 2 hr drives.....I actually found Sledding Hill Park in Littleton on the City Data DENVER forum, so thanks!!

[froggin4colorado]

When we tube/sled, we use the hill at Mesa Ridge HS, it has a great hill. Two football fields sit side by side, divided by a hillside. So you start on football field and sled down the hill to the other football hill. The ONLY bummer is that sometimes the school leaves up the baseball fence so if you sled in the wrong area- WHAM!- fence.

I still haven't tried Frasier Hill yet, my middle son hates the snow and cold.

[vfrpilot]

Another good place to sled/beginning snowboard is Toboggan Hill in Monument.

Toboggan Hill is only for sledding/tubing. Skis/snowboards are not allowed. Technically it is only for residents of Woodmor, although I have no idea if that is ever enforced. Took my 7yo there today.

[Amery523]

vfrpilot - thanks for the info about the snowboarding...I did see a few people boarding on Saturday afternoon, though not many. Maybe 5 or so. The hill was PACKED with people. Is there a sign posted that boarding isn't allowed? or is it more of a thing where people there will just look at you funny if you board? I didn't have any problems boarding at the Sledding Hill Park in Littleton and there were no signs prohibiting that either. Just trying to make sure I don't step on people's toes! Thanks a lot.

[vfrpilot]

Is there a sign posted that boarding isn't allowed? or is it more of a thing where people there will just look at you funny if you board?

There's a couple of signs, one in the parking area. We saw one boarder on Sunday, but we weren't there very long. I'd love to use the hill with my board, but the mix of tubes, sleds, little kids, and crazy old people(me-53), would be more dangerous than it already is. Maybe if you could get up there early enough and Woodmor Security doesn't see you.........
If you already haven't, you might check out Loveland Valley Ski Area. They are located next to Loveland Basin, and cater to beginner ski/boaders. They have a limited lift ticket available for $24(I think). Check their website.
Picture is Tobbogan Hill yesterday.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by vfrpilot

There's a couple of signs, one in the parking area. We saw one boarder on Sunday, but we weren't there very long. I'd love to use the hill with my board, but the mix of tubes, sleds, little kids, and crazy old people(me-53), would be more dangerous than it already is. Maybe if you could get up there early enough and Woodmor Security doesn't see you.........
If you already haven't, you might check out Loveland Valley Ski Area. They are located next to Loveland Basin, and cater to beginner ski/boaders. They have a limited lift ticket available for $24(I think). Check their website.
Picture is Tobbogan Hill yesterday.

When I go there I bring my BBQ and cook a platter of chicken thighs, get a tan, and let the kids de-energize. Never been hassled.

Paul, You want to meet us tomorrow?

[Skittle]

Thank you for the info.

[Amery523]

Great pictures of Toboggan Hill!
I just wanted to mention that Sledding Hill Park in Littleton looks very similar, except there's no trees to run into, and the angle of the hill is a little steeper, plus the run is a little longer. So, you'll go a little faster, but man, it's a workout once you start walking up the hill repeatedly.

[jessifunn]

Great info. I was wondering if there was a place to practice. Has anyone been to the Rail Park (I think) in Denver? I was reading up on it and am not really sure if they have a hill you can ride down or just a small area with rails?

[suzco]

Originally Posted by jessifunn

Great info. I was wondering if there was a place to practice. Has anyone been to the Rail Park (I think) in Denver? I was reading up on it and am not really sure if they have a hill you can ride down or just a small area with rails?

Info about Ruby Hill rail yard: Winter Park - Ruby Hill Railyard

Winter Park Resort, the City of Denver, and Denver Parks and Recreation Department will host for the second consecutive year, Ruby Hill Rail Yard, a free urban ski and ride terrain park located just outside of Downtown Denver in Ruby Hill Park. Featuring six rails of varying configurations and skill levels, Ruby Hill Rail Yard opens Saturday, January 19 from 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. with such festivities as demonstrations by Winter Park Resort Ski and Ride School and free snowboard equipment/lessons made possible through help from Burton, Never Summer, and Vans.