Despite a blistering winter season wreaking havoc amidst snow sport enthusiasts, Denver’s Ruby Hill Rail Yard has created a snowy oasis in a dry land.

The free terrain park — located just south of downtown Denver near the south Platte River — officially kicked off its 2026 season last week, almost a month later than usual.

The park, akin to a skatepark for snowboarders and skiers, has been around since 2007 as a collaboration between Denver Parks and Recreation and Winter Park Resorts. But this year, as nearby resorts feel the pain of a balmy season, the rail yard is more important than ever for snowboarders and skiers.

It’s the lowest snowpack year Colorado has seen on average since the late 1970s, a National Weather Service hydrologist told The Denver Gazette, but the snow at the rail yard will continue to be created and taken care of until at least March.

“We have an Ikon Pass, but we kind of regret it,” snowboarder Kyle Brezinski laughed. “We have no snow. So having a spot here, 20 minutes away, and not having to drive and deal with the traffic — phenomenal.”

The park started with the idea of bringing the winter fun down from the mountain for those who can’t make it up or can’t afford the pricey days at the resorts, according to Stephanie Figueroa, spokesperson for DPR.

“This sort of feature park doesn’t exist in all of the resorts. It’s right here in their backyard. There are people who just absolutely love this,” she said.

That community is strong, with nearly 50 riders piling on the hill on a Monday morning. All cheered each other on. Some were teaching each other how to ride.

“You come here and you get those first nerves like, ‘I don’t know anybody. I’m so scared,’ but everyone is so welcoming here,” Brezinski said between high fives and greetings from other locals.

“When you go out here and you’re learning, you’re falling, other people are doing the same thing. It’s almost unnoticeable,” Ty Ore said. “Everyone’s cheering you on. It’s such a great time to learn anything.”

Ore, a father of two, said he will be at the park every day for the next week, even bringing his oldest child some days.

“I spent $1,400 bucks on my pass. One day I got lost and came by and I was like, ‘is that snow?'” Ore said, adding that he could (and does) come back out to the park on lunch breaks or after he drops his children off at school.

That accessibility is the point, as Figueroa noted.

For example, DPR holds free rentals at the park every Friday and Saturday until the end of the season. The park also had free lessons last Friday, with another day of lessons coming toward the end of the season.

Figueroa spoke of a family riding their bikes and seeing the park. When a volunteer teacher told them it was free, they immediately joined in.

“They were so excited. They just dropped their bikes,” she said.

The cost is part of DPR’s annual budget and the park has staff that work directly on it. Winter Park Resorts also shares the cost and provides volunteers, Figueroa said.

The unique nature — both literally and figuratively — has caught the attention of the snowboarding community at-large over the years.

For example, the park was featured in Warren Miller’s 2025 SNO-CIETY documentary.

“To have a place just like this, so beautiful in the middle of Denver, for anyone to ride, a place to go to learn how to ride, is phenomenal,” Brezinski said.

“I got an Ikon pass, but I generally don’t like driving on the 70,” Ore said. “This is just too close and it’s free. It’s just the best of both worlds.”