Denver Park Trust and Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) announcd plans to install a surface lift at the city-run terrain park at Denver's Ruby Hill Rail Yard

Denver's beloved Ruby Hill Rail Yard is poised for a transformative upgrade. The Denver Park Trust and Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) have announced plans to install a surface lift at the city-run terrain park — a development that would make it the first urban outdoor snowsports facility of its kind in the country to offer mechanized uphill access.

According to information released by the Denver Park Trust, the lift is designed to "bring the winter mountain resort experience to the city" by eliminating one of the park's longest-standing friction points: the hike back up the hill after every run. If funded, the addition would allow riders to spend more time on the park's features and open the doors to those who may struggle with the physical demands of repeated climbs.

A public fundraising campaign is now underway, with $152,050 raised toward a total goal of $950,000 as of Tuesday, April 28.

A Free Urban Oasis, Now Looking to Evolve

Since its founding in 2007, Ruby Hill has operated as North America's first urban terrain park, welcoming more than 12,000 visitors each season entirely free of charge through a long-running partnership with Winter Park Resort. The park has built a reputation as a rare equalizer in a sport often associated with steep price tags and mountain travel — and organizers say the proposed lift would deepen that mission.

"[The lift will] bring the winter mountain resort experience to the city," the Denver Park Trust said in its announcement, framing the project as an accessibility initiative as much as an infrastructure one.

A Difficult Season Underscores the Need

The announcement follows a challenging 2026 season that laid bare the vulnerabilities of urban snowsports operations. Ruby Hill was forced to close ahead of schedule this year after Denver recorded just 13.4 inches of snowfall — a fraction of the city's 50-inch average and a record low. Unseasonably warm temperatures arrived in late February, eroding the park's base faster than its limited snowmaking windows could compensate.

Despite the shortened season, the Rail Yard's profile remained high. The park served as a "pit stop" for Team USA Olympic riders returning from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, underscoring its standing in the broader freestyle skiing and snowboarding community even in a lean snow year.

What Comes Next

With fundraising now in its early stages, the project has a long road to its $950,000 target. The Denver Park Trust has not yet announced a timeline for construction or an anticipated opening date pending the completion of the campaign.

For a park that has spent nearly two decades punching well above its weight in the snowsports world, the surface lift would represent the most significant evolution in its history — one that organizers hope will carry Ruby Hill into its next chapter.

Donations to the Ruby Hill surface lift campaign can be made through the Denver Park Trust.