Snow Day: Best Sledding Hills in NYC

It’s a snow day. Here are the best sledding hills in parks in all five boroughs.

Dress warmly and take the kids to these popular sledding hills, including those designated by the NYC Dept. of Parks for Snow Day fun.

Tips for keeping warm in extreme cold weather from the NYC Dept. of Health

Best sledding hills in Manhattan

Central Park

Pilgrim Hill likely is the most popular sledding hill in Manhattan. Follow the crowd to just north of the 72nd St. entrance at Fifth Avenue.

When it’s too crowded, and it usually is, other choices are Cedar Hill, between 76th and 79th Streets just south of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the smaller hill next to the Conservatory Garden, at 106th Street and Fifth Avenue.

Riverside Park

My kids grew up sledding the hill above what is now called Hippo Playground, at 91st Street. There’s another great sledding hill at 103rd Street.

Inwood Hill Park and Fort Tryon Park

NYC on the Cheap Editor Evelyn Kanter grew up in Inwood, and these two parks were my backyard in winter and summer.

All kinds of sledding hills here, including around The Cloisters.

Best sledding hills in Brooklyn

SEE ALSO Where to buy a sled in Brookyn

Prospect Park

Follow the crowds to 9th St. and Prospect Park West, or escape them by sledding around the Nethermead.

Fort Greene Park

A hilly park with lots of choices.

Best sledding hills in Queens

Forest Park

The Parks Dept. considers the steep hills of the golf course too dangerous, but that dosn’t stop diehard sledders.

Another option is the Mary Whalen Playground at 79th Street and Park Lane

Best sledding hills in Bronx

Claremont Park	Interior of the park at 172nd Street between Teller Avenue and Clay Avenue
Crotona Park	Slope behind ballfield #3 at Fulton Avenue and Cross Bronx Expressway.
Ewen Park	West 232 Street, between Johnson and Riverdale avenues
Franz Sigel Park	Interior of the park at 160th between Grand Concourse and Walton Avenue
Shoelace Park	Anywhere between 220th and 230th streets along Bronx Boulevard

Best sledding hills in Staten Island

Clove Lake Park, or Dead Man’s Hill in Silver Lake Park.

These safety tips are from the NYC Dept. of Parks

The parks are a beautiful place to be when it’s snowing out, but icy conditions can be dangerous.

During the winter months, children and adults enjoy exploring the snowy terrain in city parks, but while ponds and lakes may appear frozen, venturing onto them is extremely dangerous and can cause potentially fatal accidents. Please exercise the same caution walking on park pathways as you would on sidewalks during icy weather—walk carefully.

Ice Safety Tips

Do not attempt to walk on any lakes, ponds, or rivers that appear frozen.
Parents and caregivers should make sure children are never unattended near ice.
If you hear cracking, lie down immediately to try to distribute your weight.
If you witness someone falling through ice, never attempt to make a rescue by yourself: call 911 and notify the proper authorities. Be sure to give the exact location and an account of the incident.

Get more winter safety tips from the Fire Department, and Be FDNYSmart this winter season.

Where is your favorite sledding hill in NYC?

Comment below, and we’ll add it to the list.

Stay warm and have fun playing in the snow.