Images of Rocky Mountain National Park’s ski area-turned-sledding hill show how bad snowpack is

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a ski area-turned-sledding hill located at Rocky Mountain National Park, sure to offer winter fun for the entire family. Dubbed Hidden Valley, the spot opened in its former form in 1955, offering skiers a 2,000-foot vertical drop until closing its lifts in 1991 after increasing competition with larger resorts and when a final bad snow season reportedly dropped skier visits by nearly 33 percent.

Today, the slopes of long-gone Hidden Valley Ski Area are still enjoyed by visitors, with a portion of the spot established as the only place within Rocky Mountain National Park confines where sledding is allowed.

Unfortunately, Rocky Mountain National Park has been impacted by the same lack of snow that much of the state has experienced thus far this season, with the sledding hill reported to be mostly bare with rocks and vegetation exposed – perhaps a glance into one of the reasons the ski area didn’t work out. In addition to the lack of snow, the hill has been wind-scraped in recent days and weeks, further impacting conditions as much of the snow that was present has blown elsewhere.

Thus, if you’ve got plans to add sledding to your Rocky Mountain National Park adventure any time soon, think again. It’s also worth noting that warmer-than-normal and relatively dry conditions are expected to persist for at least a few more weeks around much of the state.

Hidden Valley Sledding Area is located at an elevation of about 9,240 feet above sea level on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park, accessed via Trail Ridge Road and about seven miles from the Fall Biver and Beaver Meadows Entrance Stations. It’s not staffed and there are no tow facilities, nor are there rentals for sleds or tubes available inside of the park. Sleds with metal runners are not allowed.

Find updates related to conditions at Hidden Valley Sledding Hill and additional information about the spot here.

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