Gone are the days of driving 2+ hours to the mountains to go skiing, snowboarding and tubing! The highly anticipated Hoedown Hill opened this January in Windsor on what was once Weld County farmland, adjacent to RainDance National Golf Course. The name Hoedown Hill is a nod to the land’s farming roots, with a restaurant and bar on site located inside a 90-foot metal grain bin.
Now, Northern Colorado residents can easily hit the slopes in a matter of minutes, making snow sports much easier to fit into their weekends — or even on weekdays after work or school.
What exactly can you expect at Hoedown Hill? Here’s a breakdown.
About Hoedown Hill
Photo Courtesy of Hoedown Hill
The hill encompasses 12 acres containing four ski trails, two small terrain parks, two tubing hills, a ski and snowboard school, and four conveyor belts that transport skiers and tubers up the long hill. And it’s a long hill! The nearly 1,200-foot-long tubing run with a 133-foot vertical drop is the longest in North America, according to the Water Valley Company.
Hoedown Hill opened mid-January and was met with enthusiasm from the community. It has been perfect for skiers, boarders and tubers of all ability levels, providing a nearby option at a relatively low price point.
Tubing
Photo Courtesy of Hoedown Hill
Kids and families love the tubing hills at Hoedown Hill, providing endless fun for all ages. There are two separate hills, including The Bushwhacker, which is the longest tubing hill in North America, providing a bit more speed and excitement for tubers. And for a more gentle ride, slide down Greenhorn Hill, a shorter and more gentle experience for entry-level tubers or those who don’t meet the height requirements for The Bushwhacker. There are a total of 10 lanes to tube down, which means you can steer clear of other tubers and avoid collisions. The hills are groomed and have at least 3 feet of snow pack for a smooth and comfortable ride!
All riders must have a valid snow tubing ticket to ride down either hill. Keep in mind that outside tubes or sleds are not permitted; you must use the tube provided with each ticket. Helmets are provided on site and are required for riders under 18 years old and are encouraged for adults. Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian, and riders must be at least 42 inches tall to ride on The Bushwhacker and 36 inches to ride on Greenhorn Hill. Click here to learn more about tubing at Hoedown Hill!
Terrain Parks
Take it up a notch at one of the two terrain parks, which have a total of 20 features such as jumps, rails and other adrenaline-pumping thrills. The Clunk Yard has a down box, an elevated down box, and a flat dance floor, while The Junk Yard contains a rainbow rail, a medium jump with a quarter pipe, a down bar, an elevated down bar, and a flat bar with ride one. These exciting terrain park features are always evolving, so come back another week for a whole new experience and to learn some new tricks. A skiing and boarding pass provides access to the terrain parks, when they are available!
Skiing + Boarding
Photo Courtesy of Hoedown Hill
Hoedown Hill has a total of 10 ski and boarding runs, including green, blue and black runs, all accessed by canopy-covered service lifts. New riders can start out on the more gentle green runs and those seeking more of a challenge can take on the blue and black runs, which are designed for more experienced riders. All runs are groomed nightly with more than 3 feet of snow pack, making conditions ideal no matter what run you’re conquering. Both day and night skiing is available, which means you can sneak in some skiing or boarding after the sun goes down after work!
Your ski or boarding ticket includes access to all runs, as well as the two terrain parks and terrain-based learning. Skiers under 4 years old can ski for free with the purchase of an adult lift ticket.
Ski School
Photo Courtesy of Hoedown Hill
If you or your little ones have never skied or boarded before, you’re in good hands! Hoedown Hill has a ski school, where you can get acclimated with the sport in a safe and low-key environment. They utilize Terrain Based Learning™, which means you’ll get a dedicated area to learn how to glide and ride at your own pace. Their expert instructors can help you tackle the basic techniques so you feel more confident before hitting the slopes for the first time.
Ski lessons vary in length and price. You can book their most popular option, the one-hour private lesson, which includes a dedicated private instructor and flexible start times throughout the day. The half-day private lessons are three-hour lessons with a dedicated private instructor and the option between a morning, afternoon or evening time slot. Their most intensive option is the full-day private lesson, which lasts six hours (that you can split up as you wish) from either 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 2 to 8 p.m. For all lessons, you may add up to four friends or family members for just $10 per person. Book your lesson here!
Nearby Restaurants
Photo Courtesy of The Grainhouse
After all this activity, you’ve probably worked up an appetite! Fuel up at one of the restaurants on site, including The Grainhouse, which is one of our favorite new restaurants in the area. Situated in a rustic grain bin, this amazing restaurant and bar features massive TVs and a comfortable atmosphere. Warm up your insides with one of their boozy Warmers for the adults or something off their “Bunny Hill” list, like hot cocoa or hot apple cider, for the kids. They have a curated selection of options on their food menu, including melts, poutine, bowls and salads. Just a short drive down the road, Ted’s Sweetwater Grill is a waterfront restaurant serving up a variety of homestyle entrees, including burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and fresh salads. And in the opposite direction (but still a short distance away), The Grillhouse at Pelican Lakes Resort is serving up classic American cuisine made with local ingredients, best enjoyed on their massive wrap-around patio overlooking the Water Valley lakes and the Rocky Mountains in the distance.
Rentals
Riders must provide their own gear, as there are no rentals on site at Hoedown Hill. However, they have partnered with Mountain Rentals in Loveland for ski and snowboard rentals. All Hoedown Hill skiers and snowboarders will receive 20% off all rental packages; simply show your ticket purchase when picking up your rentals, which can be picked up a day in advance after 5 p.m. for your convenience. Click here for more details about rentals, including a price breakdown.
Location, Hours, Pricing, etc.
Hoedown Hill is located next to the RainDance National Golf Course property, at 1781 RainDance National Drive in Windsor. Parking is free and available in a large lot adjacent to the hill. Hoedown Hill is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays; the hours are 3–9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.–9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets for tubing, skiing and boarding are $35 and free for kids ages 4 and under. You can purchase your passes in advance here!
It’s a good idea to get a lay of the land before your visit. Click here to see a map of the trails and click here to see a live view of the slopes and The Bushwhacker, so you can keep an eye on trail and crowd conditions ahead of time.
Have a Blast!
Enough talk — it’s time to get out there and hit the slopes! And thankfully, no matter where you live in Northern Colorado, you’re never far from Hoedown Hill.
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