Skiing and snowboarding have returned to the Mile High City with the opening of the Ruby Hill Rail Yard, a free terrain park operated by Denver Parks and Rec in conjunction with Winter Park Resort.
Early winter weather stymied snowmaking operations, which Winter Park makes possible by providing snow guns and technical assistance, but the recent cold snap finally gave snowmakers the conditions they needed.
The terrain park dates back to 2007. Winter Park provides the rails, the design of the terrain park and staff, according to a news release, assisted by more than 25 volunteers. The park, which features 10 rails and boxes of different configurations, is located west of the Overland Golf Course at South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with lights illuminating it from dusk until 9 p.m.
Beginning Feb. 17, parks and rec will provide free rental equipment on Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A community event to mark the opening of the yard, including a rail jam, will take place on Feb. 19, beginning at 9 a.m.
Weather permitting, the rail yard will operate into March.
