Denver Parks and Recreation and Winter Park Resort team up again to bring winter sports to the City. Returning for its third year, Ruby Hill Rail Yard brings the excitement and energy of skiing and snowboarding to Denver with a one-of-its-kind ski and ride urban rail yard.
Scheduled to open on January 24, 2009, Ruby Hill Rail Yard will feature six rails of varying configurations and levels of advancement. Weather permitting, the rail yard will be open through the end of February 2009. To prepare the park for the rail yard, snowmaking equipment will pump out more than an acre of snow.
Opening day will feature demonstrations by Winter Park athletes, live music and guest appearances by KTCL 93.3, giveaways and free snowboard lessons for local youth interested in trying a new sport or fine tuning their already learned techniques.
New this year, Denver Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Christy Sports to provide Free ski and snowboard equipment at the park every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. and every Saturday from noon - 8 p.m. Geared toward ages 8 - 16, youth who want to use equipment must have a parent present to complete a release and waiver. Forms will be kept on file at Ruby Hill throughout the entire railyard season, so only need to be completed once for each participant.
Returning for the second year is Jibbin' for the Kids in partnership with Snowsport Outreach Society (SOS). Every Tuesday and Wednesday from January 27 through the end of February,SOS and Denver Parks and Recreation's outdoor recreation team will provide lessons to local teens. Lighting and generators will be at the park every evening until 9 p.m., facilitating evening access for youth and parents who want to come with the children after work.
Ruby Hill Park is located off of South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue. The Rail Yard will be open every day from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard is made possible by the generous support of Winter Park Resort, Burton Snowboards, Christy Sports, Johnson Controls, S.O.S., 93.3 KTCL and Wahoo's Fish Tacos.