Sledding
Sledding is a beloved winter activity for people of all ages, and for good reason! Who doesn't love careening down a snowy hill at high speeds, feeling the cold wind in their face and the thrill of the ride? If you're looking to join in on the fun, read on for all the details on the what, where, whys, and hows of sledding down sledding hills.
Sledding, also known as sledging or tobogganing, is the act of riding down a hill on a sled. Sleds can be made of a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal, and come in all shapes and sizes. Some popular types of sleds include saucers, tubes, and traditional sleds with runners.
Sledding hills can be found just about anywhere there's snow and a clear slope. Some popular places to go sledding include parks, ski resorts, and even backyard hills or piles made by a snow plow. Just find a hill that is not too steep or icy, and make sure it is clear of any obstacles.
Sledding is a great way to get outside and enjoy the winter weather, burn off some energy, and have a ton of fun. It's also a cheap and easy activity that requires minimal equipment, making it accessible to just about anyone. When you're ready to go, sit or lay on your sled and push off with your feet to start your descent. Lean back to control your speed and steer with your feet or hands. And most importantly, remember to have fun!
So why wait? Grab your sled and head to the nearest hill for a thrilling day of sledding. Just be sure to stay safe and follow all rules and regulations. Happy sledding!
Here's some of our favorite sledding hills
Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
9.7 miles NE of Ashton, IdahoAn abandoned ski hill from 1969 with overgrown runs that still deliver great sledding — the lower run is fast and winding all the way down to the old ski lift.
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Sled Add Location
Egin Lakes
Saint Anthony, Idaho
8.9 miles W of Saint Anthony, IdahoUnusually shallow, sandy lakes on the gateway to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes — great for water games in 2-to-3-foot-deep water, the closest thing to a real beach in SE Idaho.
Sled, Swim
Teton Lakes Golf Course
Rexburg, Idaho
1.7 miles NW of Rexburg, IdahoA year-round golf course that transforms into a free cross-country ski destination in winter, with over two miles of groomed set and skate tracks — plus the community Cupid Cup XC race each season.
Cross-country Ski, Sled
Jefferson County Lake (AKA Rigby Lake)
Rigby, Idaho
2.0 miles N of Rigby, IdahoSandy beaches, two floating docks with a slide, volleyball, playgrounds, and a safe swim zone — Jefferson County Lake is eastern Idaho's go-to summer swimming spot.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Kayak, Sled, Swim 0.1 mi
Founder's Square Hill (Under the Water Tower)
Rexburg, Idaho
1.8 miles SE of Rexburg, IdahoA wide, perfectly steep sledding hill in Rexburg that accommodates snowboards and inner tubes — still plenty of hill left after some houses went in at the bottom in 2017.
Sled 0.2-0.5 mi
Eagle Park
Rexburg, Idaho
0.9 miles N of Rexburg, IdahoA cottonwood forest park inside Rexburg city limits with campsites, fishing, a dog park, mountain biking on easy and moderate loops, and rock-throwing by the river.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Sled
Smith Park
Rexburg, Idaho
1.0 miles E of Rexburg, IdahoCity snow piled into a 30–40-foot sledding hill with a utility-box jump ramp makes Smith Park a beloved winter escape for kids in Rexburg.
Sled
Mccall Area
McCall, Idaho
10.4 miles NE of McCall, IdahoA beautiful Idaho resort town with swimming holes, 7-mile mountain hikes to isolated lakes, Ponderosa State Park trails, mountain biking, Payette Lake boating, skiing, and sledding — all within reach of McCall.
Backpack, Camp, Canoe, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Sled, Snowshoe, Swim 0.4-0.7 mi
Rexburg Bike Park
Rexburg, Idaho
0.8 miles NE of Rexburg, IdahoA beginner-friendly bike park behind Rexburg Rapids with mounts in small, medium, and large sizes — and the same hills turn into great sledding terrain when snow arrives in winter.
Mountain Bike, Sled
Hidden Valley Park
Rexburg, Idaho
1.3 miles E of Rexburg, IdahoSled near Rexburg, Idaho
Sled
- Plan Ahead and Prepare. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces. Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Leave what you find. Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Minimize campfire impacts. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Respect wildlife. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
- Be considerate of other visitors. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
