Where to Sled, Cross-Country Ski, and Tube in New York City

Did you know that 2006 had the most snow ever recorded in New York City?  We’ve been waiting since then for some serious sledding or tubing weather, and it looks like it’s finally here.  So, dust off those Flexible Flyers, sand down the toboggans, and grab your snow tube and head to the hills. If we get enough snow, cross-country skiing in both the parks and down the avenues is entirely possible, too.

Here’s where to find some snow sports action in New York City:

 

MANHATTAN

Central Park on the East Side and Riverside Park on the West Side are the destinations of choice for snow action:

• Cedar Hill in Central Park on the Upper East Side (Fifth Avenue between 76^th and 79^th streets)
• Pilgrim Hill in Central Park on the Upper East Side (Fifth Avenue and 72^nd Street) – my other favorite when I don’t mind crowds and a bit of mania
• Near the Metropolitan Museum on the Upper East Side (Central Park, Fifth Avenue and 81^st Street) – gentler slope that’s great for little kids (behind the Ancient Playground)
• Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, Riverside Drive at 103rd Street – for adults and kids alike
• Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, Riverside Drive at 91st Street – much scarier; not recommended for children

 
 
BROOKLYN

• Fort Greene Park – steepest area is at the back part of the hill leading down to Myrtle Avenue; smallest hill is near Willoughby entrance of Myrtle Avenue.
• Prospect Park has many choices:
  • 9th Street and Prospect Park West, a good downhill run
  • The Nethermead, rolling hills in the Picnic House area
  • The Long Meadow Slope—Tennis House Area in Prospect Park
  • Vanderbilt Playground – off of Prospect Park Southwest
• Bay Ridge – Owl’s Head Park at Colonial Road and 68^th Street.  Hill is at Shore Road and 97^th Street.
• Sunset Park (enter at 41st/44th Street and 5th Avenue.  Great views of the State of Liberty, too)
• Owl’s Head Park in Bay Ridge (at Shore Parkway, Shore Road, Colonial Road and 68 Street)
• Brooklyn Heights’ dog park by Harry Chapin Playground
• Clumber Corner in DUMBO near the BQE and Washington Street

 
 
QUEENS

• Forest Park – sledding is popular on the golf course with its three hills and at the Mary Whale Playground at 79th St and Park Lane
• Juniper Valley Park at 75th Street and Lower Highland Park

 
 
STATEN ISLAND

• Clove Lake Park – a family destination, Martling Avenue at Slosson Avenue
• Dead Man’s Hill in Silver Lake Park

 
 
THE BRONX

• Ewen Park – a steep hill with the added benefit of stairs to climb back up, Riverdale Avenue at 231^st Street
• Van Cortland Park – Also in Riverdale, shallow hills but lots of area
• Yet another Riverdale spot, Henry Hudson Memorial Park that will challenge you with its drops straight down to the Hudson River.  Kappock Street near Palisade Avenue
• Crotona Park at Fulton Ave between Crotona Park North and 172^nd Street – a great area for kids of all ages

This entry was posted on Monday, February 11th, 2013 at 10:29 am and is filed under Stuff to Do. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.