Top sledding spots in Massachusetts stretch from Nantucket to the New York State Line and everywhere in between. Massachusetts will seldom get the kind of snow cover that you can find in northern New England states , Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, but year after year the Bay State gets enough of a snow cover to entice young people, and people who are young at heart and hardy of limb, out to try out their sleds, coasters, tubes or sheets of cardboard. Whatever your sled is made of, you will likely find good sledding and probably some company on some of these top sledding spots in Massachusetts.
Monument Mountain High School, Great Barrington. When winter backs up an dumps a load of the white stuff in the western part of Massachusetts the town of Great Barrington is likely to get its fair share. Located in the Southwestern corner of the Bay State, Great Barrington sits in Berkshire County and is known in the area for some excellent local skiing at Ski Butternut . But for those who simply like to get out and apply their unskilled backsides to a sled, tube, piece of cardboard or any other method of conveyance that will slide over snow the spot to be after a snowstorm is often Monument Mountain High School.
When school is out for the day or better yet called off for the day, young people still flock to the front lawn of the school to one of the top sledding spots in Massachusetts for basic sledding. The ride here is not especially long but it does have some good height. Best of all for those riding homemade vehicles with little control Monument Mountain High School in Great Barrington has a lawn that is treeless. This means no unsuspecting thrill seeker will wind up coasting into an unforgiving tree. This is a popular local spot and a nice place for kids who can discover how cool the outside of the school really can be.
Jericho Hill – In Middlesex County, MA , more centrally located in the commonwealth is the town of Marlboro, MA. Sledding enthusiasts and children of all ages in this area have at their disposal one of the best sledding spots in Massachusetts. Known as Jericho Hill this spot . With an estimated run of nearly 1,000 feet this is a public, designated sledding area. That means that there is no fee to enjoy nature’s blessing of snow but of course it also means that it can be a well visited location.
Jericho Hill in Marlboro is not just a neighborhood sledding hill, though kids in this area are pleased that it is so accessible to them. For others, Jericho Hill is accessed from Brigham St., Marlboro, MA There is plenty of public parking for families who chose to stay or drop off young people for sledding . Visitors to Jericho Hill will find two things to their liking there is a pretty good hill here and there are no major obstructions, making for a safe and speedy ride.
Arnold Arboretum One might not expect to find one of the best sledding spots in Massachusetts in Boston but there it is and there’s no denying it. Leased by Harvard University from the City of Boston is a green area called the Arnold Arboretum. Magnificent in spring with its great variety of trees and gardens, the Arboretum located at 125 Arborway in the Roslindale section of the city also offers incredible sledding options over wide expanses of rolling terrain during the winter months.
Generally kept as land opened to public use, the Arboretum contains some 265 acres of undeveloped land. Within the Arboretum borders you can discover three large hills.From the top of Peter’s Hill, the tallest of three, not only can you begin a great ride but you also command an extraordinary view of some of the taller buildings of the Boston sky line. For younger children this will sometimes go unnoticed but with a parent’s gentle direction being able to see the city from such a a scenic vantage point can be a memorable and cherished view.
Elm Bank Reservation In the southern suburbs of Boston some people find that the best sledding spots in Massachusetts are those that lie along f Rte 16 on the Natick-Wellesley line. Area kids both young and not so can enjoy what is offered at the Elm Bank Reservation here. The terrain is not overpowering and younger children can find areas suitable for their ability and endurance here.
Also along Rt 16 sledders will spot the Neholden Golf Course. While the owners don’t necessarily encourage sledding, they also don’t actively oppose it which means that it is used, especially the hill across Rt. 16 from the entrance to Wellesley College. You do need to be aware that this is private property and not a public coasting area.
While you are on Rt 16 you will find that you are also close to the Broadmoor Sanctuary a facility supported by the Massachusetts Audubon. If you come prepared this is a great spot to make a quick transition to snowshoes or cross country skis. With the right foot gear you can walk along the banks of Indian Brook and see where it merges with the Charles River. Broadmoor has extensive outdoor acreage areas and also an indoor nature room with exhibits .
Amesbury Sports Park North of Boston those looking for the definitive tubing experience can find it at the Amesbury Sports Park in Amesbury, MA This is definitely not a place where kids go after school carrying their homemade sled or coaster. This is a state of the art facility that makes its own snow and usually has plenty of it.
What visitors to Amesbury Sports Park love is the fact that it has its own rope lift that will pull you and your tube up the hill making it possible to enjoy more rides with very little work. Of course this kind of facility is literally not a free ride. Tickets are sold for two or four hour stints which you can purchase according to your estimated endurance and the ages of your kids. Tubes for use on the established runs are included in ticket price. Helmets are also provided for participants from ages 4-7. No one under the age of 4 is permitted on the runs. Hours vary during the week and according to school vacations. For more information about times and prices contact www.goslide.com .
