Hoping for some snow for a little sledding? Charlotte, NC doesn’t get a lot of snow so if you’re tired of waiting, you can plan a totally free little day trip up to the mountains for some sledding. Really! These spots are just a couple of hours’ drive from Charlotte, and they are A LOT more likely to have snow.
Is it going to snow? YAY! Here’s where to get sleds in Charlotte, plus some sled alternatives that might work instead of buying one!
Of course, if you want a “guaranteed” snow-ish experience you can visit any of the snow tubing places near Charlotte, NC. But if there’s snow in the mountains, and you come armed with a sled and a good sense of fun (and maybe a thermos of hot cocoa and some favorite snacks) you can have a great time without spending any more money than the gas it takes to chase down that snow.
Check out these free sledding hills you can visit, for free sledding near Charlotte, NC.
Free Sledding Hill in Beech Mountain, North Carolina
About 2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC
In addition to the Beech Mountain Ski Resort, the city offers a free sledding hill behind the Brick Oven Pizzeria at 110 Bark Park Way, Beech Mountain. This sledding hill location is considered much safer than the previous hill behind the visitor’s center. There is more parking, the hill is fenced in, and there is no longer a power pole in the middle of the run. You’ll also find a bathroom and playground, so you can stay all day.
The Sledding Hill is open seven days a week, weather permitting. And, the city will often make snow for this hill, giving you lots more opportunities for sledding even if nature isn’t being cooperative. This is the only free sledding hill we know about that makes snow.
- You must have a plastic sled on this hill. If you don’t have one handy, you can purchase or rent one from several of the ski shops around the mountain.
- NEW: View the sledding hill live right now! Beech Mountain Sledding Hill Web Cam
- You can see weather conditions before you go by checking out the live Beech Mountain webcam, and the Buckeye Lake webcam.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Sledding
1 hour and 45 minutes from Charlotte, NC
Blowing Rock, North Carolina has several parks that offer a great opportunity for snow play!
- Blowing Rock Memorial Park: This park offers open flat areas perfect for playing in the snow and building snow forts. It also has surfaces for older kids to sled down.
- The Julian Price Memorial Park in Blowing Rock is also a great place for sledding.
Boone, North Carolina: Sledding Spots
2 hours from Charlotte, NC
Boone, NC sees a fair bit of snow, which means they have several parks used for winter fun. If snow is on the ground, these parks would be fun to visit for sledding. Of course, Boone is a fun town for a day trip anyway, so just pack your sleds and boots and be ready for an adventure.
Check conditions before you go: Use the town of Boone’s webcam so you can check up on the snow status in real-time!
- Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: Hills for sledding and even cross-country ski trails
- Daniel Boone Park is a public park that offers sledding on Strawberry Hill. (Be sure to stop for a bathroom break before you head to the park because the restrooms are closed during the winter months.
Getting to some of these spots can be a challenge at times due to the weather. The Blue Ridge Parkway often closes during inclement weather, making spots along this highway difficult to access.
But, this road closure can actually be really fun. When the road closes to traffic, it is open for walking, using snow shoes, and it even offers families a unique opportunity to sled right on the road. For road closure information, visit the Road Closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway page. To take a peek at what Milepost 241 on the Parkway looks like, head to the Bluffs Restaurant Webcam.
For more safety tips and info about The Blue Ridge Parkway in winter, head to the Blue Ridge Parkway Facebook page.
Brevard, North Carolina: Sledding Spots
2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC
- Calvary Baptist Church: One reader suggested the area behind Calvary Baptist Church for the perfect sledding hill.
- Pisgah National Forest: The forest offers visitors plenty of space to play in the snow and pull sleds around.
Go back to the Winter Guide for Charlotte, NC for lots more winter fun.