Downhill Thrills: 5 Unique Wisconsin Sledding Hills

Imagine: a crisp, sunny Wisconsin winter day, with snow softly blanketing the ground. Such a scene begs for an exhilarating trip down a sled, snow tube or toboggan hill around the state. But these aren’t your average hills – from wildly fast rides to warm-ups by an outdoor firepit, a trip to one of these sledding spots takes going downhill to the next level. Read on for some special spots to check out, and get ready to go!

Ariens Hill – Green Bay

An exciting development in the Green Bay community, the newly-opened Titletown features fantastic restaurants, an ice-skating rink, a park with outdoor games and, most importantly, Ariens Hill: a tubing hill! Set to open this winter, this 46-foot man-made hill features three tubing lanes that each total 300 feet, and an automated tube return system for easy winter fun. What makes it extra special? Instead of walking back up the snowy hill, guests can climb the heated stairs to the top of the hill and gear up for another ride! Three snow-making machines ensure that the hill is covered in snowy goodness.

After an active day on the hill, stop at 46 Below, a bistro underneath the hill for comfort food like creamy tomato bisque, a roast beef sandwich or grilled cheese. Or walk over to Hinterland Restaurant and Brewery in the district for farm-to-table cuisine and a craft brew.

Badlands Sno-Park – Hudson

Get ready to snow tube your face off and maybe even catch a little air at the thrilling Badlands Sno-Park, home to seven tubing slopes and four tow ropes to get tubers back up the hills in no time. There truly is a hill for everyone at Badlands: With a gentle Bunny Hill for younger tubers (or those who don’t want to go fast), a Monkey Tail hill with curving slope, longer Big Hill run, easy Camel Back hill or the electrifying 1,300-foot TURBO steep slope, snow tubers can have fun all day (or night) in the lighted park. A snack bar provides fuel and warmth for visitors with cider, hot cocoa, coffee and assorted munchies like pizza, nachos and hot dogs.

Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa – Lake Geneva

Although you can indulge in a plethora of cold-weather activities at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa’s Mountain Top (including ice skating, snowboarding and skiing), good old-fashioned fun can be had on their sledding hill, too. Pick up a sled and let ’er rip down the hill.

If you’re chilly from your outdoor endeavors, warm up by the outdoor firepit, or head inside to Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top Lodge by the ski hill. Grab a seat by the fireplace and order some comfort food and a (spiked, for the parents) cider, hot chocolate or hot coffee drink.

Iverson Park Winter Sports Area – Stevens Point

Everyone can find something they love to do at Iverson Park Winter Sports Area — there’s ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and even tobogganing. Two 300-foot-long toboggan slides guarantee smiles and shouts as tobogganers race through the woods on the padded toboggans available for rent.

There’s also a few sled and saucer hills designed for tubing, and one of the hills is specially designated for riders younger than six years old. Stairs are built into the sides of the hills for easy access, too.

YMCA Camp MacLean – Burlington

Sunday afternoons at Camp MacLean are where it’s at—their sled and toboggan hill is buzzing with activity. Visitors pay one entrance fee, which includes access to the hill plus use of the sleds and toboggans. Zip down the hill on a sled or climb up the stairs of the toboggan run at the top of the hill for a thrilling, old-fashioned toboggan ride. At the bottom of the hill is a warming house with hot chocolate to warm up frosty fingers and faces.

There’s more fun to be had this winter in Wisconsin! Hit the slopes with these 6 Ski Hills Great for Beginners, or for more ideas, browse our winter getaways!