Slide Into Winter Fun: The Ultimate Guide To Sledding In Western Colorado
Photos courtesy of Danica Bona, Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism
Growing up in Wisconsin, what we lacked in the way of downhill ski areas we made up for with adrenaline-filled sledding — our favorite impromptu winter pastime. Wherever you lived, a sledding hill was nearby. Every neighborhood had one — an empty lot or sloping backyard, a park, a golf course, a school athletic field, a farm. With every hill came memories of laughter and squeals, spinning and speed, jumps and bailing, snow-sprayed faces, and yes, the occasional storied crashes.
Gone are the days of heavy wood toboggans and metal rail sleds. Nowadays, you can find durable and affordable snow tubes, discs, saucers and inflatable sleds in various shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. Although, speaking from experience, a rain poncho makes a great sled coming down Mount Sopris and a cafeteria tray, after hours, can fly down Powderhorn Ski Area.
Sledding is perhaps the most underrated Colorado winter sport; however, Western Colorado touts numerous sledding playgrounds. So pull on some warm clothes, put on a smile, grab a sled and some friends or family and head to one of the many local sledding hills just waiting for you!
DURANGO
Buckley Park is probably the most popular Durango true sledding hill for locals, located at 1250 Main Ave. It’s a convenient location and steep incline.
Chapman Hill is located very near downtown Durango. An area off to the side of a tiny ski area and ice rink is for snow tubing or sledding.
Needham Elementary is one of many sledding hills tucked into Durango neighborhoods.
Purgatory Ski Area north of Durango has a tubing hill, and just west of downtown Durango, tubing is one of the most popular activities on the Hesperus Ski Area. Tubes are available for rent at both locations.
MONTROSE
The Cerro Summit Recreation Area 13 miles east of Montrose along Highway 50 is 110 acres owned and managed by the city of Montrose. Sledding is one of the winter sports it supports. The area has no facilities or services.
TELLURIDE
Sledding is available on Firecracker Hill, located on the southern side of Telluride Town Park. Orange cones mark the path to the sledding hill. Bring your own sled or rent one from the Nordic Center.
CRESTED BUTTE
Pyramid Hill, Crested Butte’s newest sledding hill, is a popular destination. Short but wide, this hill offers plenty of space to spread out. Park along Pyramid Avenue, between Highway 135 and 8th Street. Big Mine Hill next to the Crested Butte Nordic Center is small and short. Both areas are perfect for younger kids.
Looking for steeper and longer ungroomed runs? Any of the hills behind the Crested Butte Community School and the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park are your answer. Park behind the school at the Town Ranch Trailhead.
Snodgrass Trailhead Hill offers the longest and tallest sledding in the area. The hill starts right from the ample parking area. Check out the views!
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
The Howelsen sledding hill is a free community sledding hill in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs. The hill is groomed periodically and open dawn to dusk. Access via the 5th Street entrance to the Rodeo Arena.
ASPEN
The Aspen Recreation Center features great sledding at the Whoa Nelly Sledding Hill. Open dawn to dusk and free. Rentals are available.
VAIL
A short walk past the Eagle Vail Golf Course putting green is a hill up to the clubhouse. This is a big hill with plenty of parking.
Singletree Sledding Hill in Edwards is located just up from the golf course. It’s a perfect slope with a nice flat area at the bottom. Parking is roadside.
West Park in Eagle-Vail has a great hill with three lips. The lips offer a variety of sledding for different ages.
East Haystacker Sledding Hill in Eagle is a nice-sized hill with a long flat area at the bottom.
GRAND JUNCTION
The occasional snowfall in the valley can be short-lived, but locals still enjoy several sledding locations. Duck Pond Park on Orchard Mesa, Lilac Park near First and North and a hidden gem empty lot on Crossroads Boulevard.
On the Cedaredge side of the Grand Mesa, the Ward Creek Reservoir sledding hill is just south of the Visitor Center along Highway 65.
The Old Mesa Ski Hill on the Grand Mesa, known by locals as Old Powderhorn, is a locals’ favorite. 10 miles past the town of Mesa on Highway 65 and just past Powderhorn Ski Area you can’t miss the parking area, facilities and large active sledding area on the right.
Originally published in the Winter 2024-25 issue of Spoke+Blossom.