Carter Park Sledding Hill

Carter Park Sledding Hill earns a 4.9-star rating for delivering one of the quintessential Colorado winter experiences: a proper sled hill in a gorgeous mountain setting, completely free, that puts the biggest smiles of any winter activity on kids' faces.

The hill at S High St near Carter Park has enough gradient to give kids a genuine sled run — fast enough to be exciting, but with a natural runout at the bottom that keeps things safe. Multiple runs can happen simultaneously, which means the wait between runs is minimal. The setting is classic Breckenridge: surrounded by mountains, forested slopes framing the hill, and the clear Colorado mountain air that makes everything feel sharper and more vivid.

For families visiting Breckenridge with kids who aren't old enough for skiing (or for days when the ski resort price tag isn't in the budget), the sledding hill is one of the very best free winter activities in Summit County. Even families who are skiing for the week often take an afternoon here for a change of pace — sledding has a democratic, pure joy that skiing sometimes lacks for very young children.

Practical preparation: bring your own sleds, or purchase inexpensive plastic saucers at sporting goods or hardware stores in town. Dress kids in complete waterproof layers — sledding means repeated snow contact and kids get wet faster than you'd expect. Hot cocoa in a thermos and hand warmers round out the perfect sledding day kit.

After a fresh snowfall is the ideal time — the hill is fast, conditions are forgiving, and the whole scene looks like a Christmas card. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekend afternoons.