The forecasts continued to change leading up to Friday’s storm, but in the end, the Triangle was blanketed with fresh snow overnight.
Residents woke up on Saturday to three inches of snow in Raleigh, Wake Forest and Fuquay-Varina, while Garner recorded a total of 3.6 inches.
There was less snowfall west of Wake County, but roads were still covered with plenty of snow in Durham and Chapel Hill, where at least an inch had fallen.
To help you make the most of it, The News & Observer asked readers to tell us their favorite sledding spots in the area.
We received several responses, with locations ranging from Raleigh to Fuquay-Varina to Chapel Hill. We’re also adding some of our own suggestions, based on our own sledding experiences.
Note of caution: It’s best to stay off the roads during winter weather, so we encourage you to find sledding spots near your home or within walking distance. You should also use caution when sledding on streets — if the roads aren’t closed to traffic, it’s probably best to sled somewhere else, like a park. And even on streets without traffic, use lots of caution when sledding near parked cars.
Did we miss something? Find a great spot near you that’s not on this list? Our poll is still open below, at the bottom of this story, for you to submit additional suggestions. If you have trouble viewing the poll on this page, try accessing it here.
Here are the best sledding spots in the Triangle.
Harvey Hill at Dix Park (Raleigh)
Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh was already on our list of suggestions, and one reader specifically suggested Harvey Hill within the park.
The 4-acre grassy hillside is located along the front drive of the original hospital building in the park. The area also features mature oak trees, so keep an eye out while you’re zooming down the hill.
Not sure exactly where the hill is within the park? Try looking on the park’s map at dorotheadixpark.org/visit.
Robby Johnston gives his wife Ryan and daughter Annie, 5, a push on their sled Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 in Raleigh’s Oakwood Cemetery. TRAVIS LONG tlong@newsobserver.com@newsobser
Fletcher Park (Raleigh)
One reader suggested Raleigh’s Fred Fletcher Park, near Broughton High School.
The reader said they used to run a hill in the park when they were an athlete at Broughton — but added that it’s “much more fun to sled down it.”
The park is located at 820 Clay St. in Raleigh.
Roanoke Park (Raleigh)
Another reader suggested Roanoke Park in Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood.
The 1.6-acre park is located at 1500 Cherokee Dr. in Raleigh.
Remember: Use caution when sledding on streets. If the road isn’t closed to traffic, try to find somewhere else, like a park, to sled instead.
Lake Wheeler Dam (Raleigh)
Another reader suggested Lake Wheeler Dam, off Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh.
The backside of the dam is steep, which could make for some solid sledding, but there isn’t much parking.
There’s also nearby Lake Wheeler Park, at 6404 Lake Wheeler Rd., which offers 150 acres of park and land.
Phoenix Coker slides down a popular sledding hill by the Hillandale Golf Course on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2017, after snow Wednesday night cancelled school in Durham County. Casey Toth ctoth@heraldsun.com
Oakwood Cemetery (Raleigh)
News & Observer file photos show that Raleigh’s Oakwood Cemetery is a popular sledding location. But do not try to enter if the cemetery gates are locked.
The cemetery is located at 701 Oakwood Ave.
Mordecai Historic Park (Raleigh)
Via Twitter, one reader suggested sledding at Mordecai Historic Park in Raleigh, specifically at the Mordecai Spring, calling it a “great hill.”
You can find Mordecai Spring at 1001 Mordecai Dr. in Raleigh.
Hilltop Needmore Town Park & Preserve (Fuquay-Varina)
The park features five miles of paved trails with “varying elevations,” open green space and more.
Find the park at 4621 Shady Greens Dr. in Fuquay-Varina.
Fred G. Bond Metro Park (Cary)
Back in 2010, a local blog called “Mom in the Triangle” said that Bond Park in Cary was the best place in the Triangle to sled.
The 310-acre park is one of the largest in Wake County, so there’s sure to be plenty of room for sledding.
Bond Park is located at 801 High House Rd. in Cary.
Hillandale Golf Course (Durham)
We’ve also seen some N&O photos of kids sledding, and having a fun time doing so, at Hillandale Golf Course in Durham.
The golf course is located at 1600 Hillandale Rd. in Durham.
Note: Depending on the conditions, some people could still be trying to golf on a snow day, so try to stay out of the way of any golfers. Also keep an eye out for flying golf balls.
Jaan Ewing, 7, sleds down N. Boundary St. in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Julia Wall jwall@newsobserver.com
McDougle Elementary (Chapel Hill)
In Orange County, one reader suggested McDougle Elementary School in Chapel Hill. The school is located at 890 Old Fayetteville Rd. in Chapel Hill.
The “Mom in the Triangle” blog in 2010 also suggested sledding at McDougle Middle School, located right next to the elementary school, at 900 Old Fayetteville Rd. in Chapel Hill.
Note: Since these locations are schools, make sure to monitor whether the school is open or closed before venturing out for sledding. We’d recommend only sledding at these locations if the schools are closed.
Near the Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill)
Via Instagram, one reader suggested sledding around the Dean E. Smith Center on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.
The location is a favorite among UNC students, who are known to use their dorm room mattresses as makeshift sleds when snow falls in Chapel Hill.
The best location is likely along Skipper Bowles Drive.
Remember: Use caution when sledding on streets. If the road isn’t closed to traffic, try to find somewhere else, like a park, to sled instead.
Burwell School (Hillsborough)
One reader suggested sledding at the Burwell School, near downtown Hillsborough.
The school is a historic site, but there’s a great hill out front that could make for quality sledding.
The Burwell School is located at 319 N. Churton St. in Hillsborough.
This story was originally published January 19, 2022 at 11:49 AM.
Korie Dean covers higher education in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer, where she is also part of the state government and politics team. She is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill and a lifelong North Carolinian.
