STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-December 14, 2020-The crown jewel of the city’s park system, Howelsen Park, is headed further downhill when its newest outdoor winter adventure activity opens Friday with a FREE community sledding hill.
“We’re looking to take advantage of every ounce of Steamboat Springs’ light, fluffy, trademarked snow and the talent of our snowmakers,” commented Parks & Recreation Director Angela Cosby. “The new community sledding hill provides another opportunity for fun outdoor winter adventure for the entire family absolutely free.”
The new sledding hill, a 20-foot-high slope whose base is comprised of snowmaking and will continue to grow with fresh snow from Mother Nature throughout the season, will offer a place for the community to enjoy sledding in the heart of downtown. The free community sledding hill will be open daily from 8am to 10pm starting Friday, December 18. The hill will be groomed periodically, and all users sled at their own risk.
“Many people have fond memories of hours of fun sledding growing up,” continued Cosby. “We wanted that tradition to continue in a safe alternative location away from the ski area, where sledding is not permitted.”
The Parks & Recreation’s Howelsen Hill team trained its snowmaking guns on the area laying the foundation for what would grow into the sledding slope. Additional resources were harnessed and soon the west portion of the Rodeo Grounds corralled enough snow for the new sledding hill to take shape.
With many activities taking place at Howelsen Park this winter, the Community Sledding Hill will be accessed via the 5th Street entrance to the Rodeo Arena and features ample public parking in this area. Please leave parking by the outdoor ice rinks and stables Nordic area for people enjoying those activities and the main parking lot for the ski area.
“While we won’t likely see a new Steamboat Springs’ Olympian come out of the sledding hill,” chimed Cosby. “Everyone wins with this addition and the laughs; giggles and cheers will be just as loud.”
For more than a century, Howelsen Hill has been the epicenter for winter fun in the Yampa Valley. The new sledding hill, which joins the recently opened outdoor ice rinks, further expands options for the community.
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Contact
Angela Cosby, Parks & Recreation Director, 970.879.4300 or email
Brad Setter, Howelsen Hill Ski & Rodeo Manager, 970.879.4300 or email
Emily Hines, Marketing, Communications & Events Coordinator, 970.871.7031 or email