The Denver Metro Area — being just east of the Colorado Rocky Mountains — has historically been a Mecca for snow sport passionates from all over the United States. However, there is one major problem that arises every single season with all of these athletes being focused into one destination: The dreaded I-70 traffic. As snow accumulates and ski resorts begin to open more terrain, what would usually be quick day trips turn into car camping with occasional movement. The reason for this is that all of the Square States’s famed skiing lies behind the eastern foothills. Meaning that thousands of ski bums are funneled into a long stretch of I-70 every weekend with no alternate routes available.
Trying to manage this problem has proved to be very difficult, considering the lack of steep and elevated topography east of Denver. In a visionary business venture, Raindance National Resort of Windsor aims to tackle this challenge through the use of ambitious architecture and advanced snow making technology.
Fitting the resort’s vintage western aesthetic, the relatively humble skiing destination will be called Hoedown Hill, and opening day is projected to take place on January 1st. “If you’ve got a hankerin’ for some tubing, skiing, and boarding, you’ve just hit the bullseye.” says the resort regarding their determined plan for the future. They have so far released very limited information regarding season operations, but some important details can be found on their website:
- Tubing:
- “Leave the traffic and headaches of Interstate 70 behind as you gallop into our pristine powder. Hoedown Hill guarantees a rip-roaring good time, every time. We believe in the power of family, where memories are made and laughter echoes through the hills. So slide on down for the best tubing around!”
- 10 1200 ft. lanes of tubing
- 3 ft. groomed snowpack
- Terrain Parks:
- “Are you ready to ride the wildest terrain park on the Front Range? Hoedown Hill presents a family-friendly world of jumps, rails, and adrenaline-pumping thrills. Discover the heart-pounding excitement that awaits on our always-changing, never-stays-the-same terrain parks! It’s time to grab your board and show those jibs who’s boss. Yeehaw!”
- 2 parks:
- The Junk Yard: Featuring intermediate, rail and air features.
- The Clunk Yard: A progression level designed to grow the skills of those new to terrain parks, featuring small air features and boxes.
- 20 features
- 3 ft. groomed snowpack
- Alpine Skiing/Boarding
- “Get Ready To Glide, Slide, And Ride Down The Hillside! With multiple runs to choose from you’ll feel at home on our hill! Glide and slide on our green runs, ideal for riders of all ages and experience. And for those seeking a challenge, test your ability on one of our blue/black runs that are designed to test even the most experienced riders.”
- Multiple runs
- All skill levels
- 3 ft. snowpack groomed nightly
- Skiing/Riding Lessons
- “If You’re A Greenhorn (Beginning Rider) Then You’ve Found The Perfect Place To Learn Your Newest Winter Obsession!Skip the traffic & snooty attitudes of the I-70 crowd, and saddle up, ’cause we’re fixin’ to teach you how to ride like a true Buckaroo! Our friendly instructors, and innovative learnin’ features, will have you glidin’ down them slopes faster than a tumbleweed in a twister. (Well, the learnin’ part is fast… the speed? Well, that’s up to you, Partner!) Come on down and let’s have a hootin’ and hollerin’ good time learnin’ to ski and board at Hoedown Hill.”
