Paradise sledding at Mt. Rainier is officially open for the season

Grab the family for a fun winter day trip

By Claire Nunn on January 13, 2021

Located 60 miles from Joint Base Lewis McChord the Paradise sledding area at Mt. Rainier is the perfect winter day trip the whole family will enjoy. With sufficient snowfall over the last few weeks the sledding runs at the snowplay area are officially ready to welcome visitors for the season, so time to start planning your trip.

Visitors can find the snowplay area located north of the upper parking lot at Paradise. While there is no fee to participate in the sledding portion, Mt. Rainier does require a fee to enter the park. It costs $30 for a single vehicle entrance into the park and lasts for seven days. Veterans and Gold Star Families have free access to National Parks and all other park entrance fee information can be found here https://visitrainier.com/pass-requirements/.

Mt. Rainier also offers six free fee days throughout the year, and one of those days lands during the sledding season on Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King, Jr Day). It's important to be aware this free day at the park could lead to larger crowds, so it's not recommended if you're looking to avoid crowds. 

Depending on snow conditions the snowplay area will more than likely remain open until March and is open on weekends and public school holidays. It's also important to note that all vehicles driving through the park from November to March are required to have chains in their cars. Once you get through the park and up to Paradise it's time for the fun to begin. 

Families can bring their own sleds as long as they're "soft" sledding devices such as flexible sleds, saucers or flexible sleds. No toboggans or runner sleds are allowed in the snowplay area. If you don't have a sled or forgot to bring one, plastic sleds are available for purchase at the Longmire General Store and at the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.

Once you arrive at the snowplay area you will discover the sledding area is clearly marked by poles and ropes and is considered suitable for children. However for the smallest children in your group there is also a small sledding hill that is reserved for small children only. 

Also due to COVID-19 guests should only sled with their immediate households, wear a mask and maintain social distance from other sledding groups throughout their visit. 

While the possibility of making a day trip out of sledding at Paradise is easy, there are also options for those who want to extend their trip into an overnighter or a weekend getaway. Checkout cabins and other lodging options here https://bit.ly/3bwN9Si

To better plan your trip to the snowplay area at Paradise visit https://bit.ly/3nsW7m0