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SALT LAKE CITY — With Christmas break coming up for many students around the state, some may be wondering how to fill their newly acquired free time. Although, the weather is cold lately, the crisp snow is prime for sledding and tubing. For all the adrenaline junkies out there that need an escape from their house, here are five good spots for tubing and sledding in northern Utah.
Rock Canyon Park
It's as if this park was molded by the very hands of the sledding gods. The bowl-shaped valley is perfect for anyone wanting the thrill of speeding down an ice covered slope. The hills are quite steep, but the bottom of the bowl is flat and large enough to safely come to a stop. The snow is usually packed down well enough that plastic sleds can be used as well as tubes.
Some sides of the bowl are not as steep as the others and are good for families with small children.
Location: 1200 E. 2620 North, Provo
Cost: Free, but bring your own sleds or tubes.
This recreational venue was created with the lazy man in mind — a lift service is offered for towing people and their tubes back to the top of the hill. Soldier Hollow boasts the longest tubing lanes in Utah with 1,200 foot hills. They also have a sound system to play Christmas music to add to the fesitivities.
The park is open day and night with large stadium lights to brighten the view for night sledders. If you don't like the work that goes into hauling your sled to the top of the hill after each run, Soldier Hollow is the spot for you.
Location: 2002 Soldier Hollow Dr., Midway
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Cost: $10 for ages 3-6, $20 for ages 7 and older. Tubes and sleds are provided. Group deals are available and discounts are also available on groupon.com.Sugarhouse Park
Comprising of 110.5 acres, Sugarhouse Park offers a little oasis in the city. The park consists of several hills that are good for tubing and a pond in the middle that adds to the aesthetic beauty of the outdoors. The hills vary in steepness and length, and the park is very family-friendly. Sledders can take their dogs with them to Sugarhouse Park, but the pets must be kept on a leash.
The park is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the winter months.
Location: 1358 2100 South, Salt Lake City
Cost: Free, but bring your own sleds or tubes.
Peteetneet Academy
Peteetneet Academy is a Utah County favorite for sledding. The long, slick hill offers some excellent sledding or tubing. Weekends and holidays can bring crowds to the Payson hill, so plan accordingly. However, if you do go during a high-traffic time for sledding, the crowds often pack down the snow to make your thrilling ride that much faster.
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Location: 10 S. 600 East, Payson Cost: Free, but bring your own sleds or tubes
This hidden gem offers groomed tubing and sledding hills. Jolley's Ranch is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday to Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Along with excellent sledding and tubing, the venue also offers heated restrooms and a warming hut, making it a family friendly location.
Location: 3 miles up Hobble Creek Canyon, Springville
Cost: $2 a person before 5 p.m., $3 a person after 5 p.m. $10 for an anytime family rate. Sleds and tubes can be rented at the central yurt for $2.
Did we miss your favorite sledding spot? If so, let us know in the comments where you take your family to enjoy the snowy hills.
*Editor's Note: Sledding and tubing can be dangerous activities and KSL does not verify the safety of any of these locations. Building ramps or jumps at the bottom of hills is not recommended and can result in serious injury.