Denver’s Ruby Hill Rail Yard Announces Plans for First Urban Surface Lift, Starts Fundraiser

Denver’s winter sports scene is set for a significant upgrade as the Denver Park Trust and Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) move forward with plans to install a surface lift at the Ruby Hill Rail Yard. According to information released by the Denver Park Trust, the new lift is designed to “bring the winter mountain resort experience to the city” by removing physical barriers for riders of all ages and abilities.

Since its inception in 2007, Ruby Hill has operated as one of North America’s first urban terrain parks, offering free access to over 12,000 visitors annually through a partnership with Winter Park Resort. Historically, riders have had to hike back up the hill after every run. The proposed surface lift would fundamentally change the park’s logistics, allowing users to maximize their time on the features while making the “Rail Yard” more accessible to those who may struggle with the repetitive climb.

The fundraising effort for the project is currently underway, with $152,050 raised toward a total goal of $950,000 as of Tuesday, April 28.  The announcement comes on the heels of a difficult 2026 season for the park. Previous reporting indicates that Ruby Hill was forced to close early this year due to unseasonably warm temperatures and a record-low 13.4 inches of snowfall in the city—well below the 50-inch average.

Limited snowmaking windows meant that once the spring-like weather arrived in late February, the park could no longer maintain its base. Despite the shortened season, the Rail Yard remained a high-profile destination, even hosting a “pit stop” from Team USA Olympic riders fresh off the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.

DPR and its partners hope that the addition of the surface lift will foster a “lifelong love of winter recreation” by bridging the gap between Denver’s urban neighborhoods and the world-class resort experiences found in the high country. As the park enters the offseason, supporters are looking toward the $950,000 milestone to ensure that when the snow guns fire up next winter, the hike back to the top is a thing of the past.