Our first activity on our Mason-Dixon Road Trip was sledding at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia. What better way to introduce a bunch of Florida kids to sledding than by sending them down the longest sled run on the East Coast of the US?
While planning out our road trip, I wanted the kids to experience the quintessential snow activity. I hardly think any of of are coordinated enough for skiing or snowboarding, and they’ve been ice skating, so sledding seemed like our best option. Before this trip, Ashley and I hadn’t been sledding in over 30 years, so we were a little rusty…to say the least. But…how hard can it be?
While snow tubing was offered at the resort we were staying at, the nearby Canaan Valley Lodge, I opted to book sledding tickets for the sled run at Blackwater Falls for a couple of reasons:
- It is home to the longest sled run on the East Coast of the US (1/4 a mile).
- It has a conveyor belt that takes you to the top (as does Canaan Valley State Park).
- It would allow us to visit another nearby state park.
- We’d get to see the crown jewel of the park, Blackwater Falls.
- The park is home to one of the famous “Almost Heaven” swings.
All You Need to Know About Sledding at Blackwater Falls State Park
Tickets
- Purchase your tickets in advance to guarantee your slot and skip the line.
- Tickets are valid for a 2-hour session
- Session times Thursday-Sunday 10 am – 12 pm, 1-3 pm, 4-6 pm
- Friday & Saturday 7-9 pm
- Session dates December 19 – March 2, weather dependent
- Same-day tickets cannot be purchased online
- Tickets are $28 on weekdays and $33 on holidays and weekends.
- Children 5 and under ride free with an adult.
- Children 8 and under must ride with an adult.
Check-In
- Once you arrive at the park, you’ll check in at the building adjacent to the parking lot.
- You’ll receive a tag that you’ll need to attach to your zipper.
- You’ll receive a brief safety talk before you’re free to go sledding.
The Magic Carpet
- The park has a conveyor belt that guides you to the top of the hill.
- The Magic Carpet is the longest on the East Coast!
Tips for the Sled Run
- Dress warm! Make sure you bring along the winter gear: snow pants, jacket, boots, gloves, and a hat.
- Take breaks as needed. There’s an outdoor fire where you can warm up or step inside for a cup of cocoa.
- Pay attention to the safety briefing, especially if it’s been awhile/it’s your first time sledding. They’ll instruct you how to control the sled and how to gracefully crash….
While You're There...
While you’re sledding at the park, be sure to visit the Blackwater Falls and pose with the famous “Almost Heaven” swing.
During our stay, we stayed at the nearby Canaan Valley Resort. There is also a lodge at Blackwater Falls State Park.
Our Experience
Our kids have never been sledding… in fact, they’ve never even seen real snow! Ashley and I hadn’t sledded in 30+ years and it’s been just as long since we’ve seen that much snow. This was sure to be an adventure!
We checked in at the hut and received a quick safety briefing. To be honest, I didn’t do a great job of paying attention since I was attaching everyone’s sled tags to their zippers. I’d later pay for that! I vaguely heard her mention to dip your hands in the snow to steer the sled and to dig your boots in the snow to slow down/stop. How hard could it be?
Since the boys were both underage, they needed to ride with an adult. However, our daughter (10) was able to ride on her own. Since Stinky is our most-reserved and anxious kid, I had him in the sled with me and Ashley took Scoop, our more adventurous guy. The 5 of us rode the magic carpet to the top and prepared for our descent.
Smiley went first, boy did she fly! She’s such an adrenaline junkie and down for absolutely anything so she had an absolute blast.
Next, it was time for the rest of us to go down. Ashley and Scoop went ahead of us and crashed about 1/4 of the way down the run. Stinky and I crashed immediately afterwards. Surprisingly, after the crash Scoop was over it. He had snow get under his jacket and his glove fell off and he decided he was done sledding. Ashley took him inside for cocoa while I kept the other 2 kiddos.
Despite us crashing, Stinky was down for some more fun! Luckily, that was our only crash. After our first time down the run, I had the whole sledding thing figured out. Not too shabby for a Florida girl!
Smiley absolutely crushed sledding. She didn’t wipe out once!
3/5 of us had a blast and would do it again. Later in the day, when we returned to our hotel, Scoop tried sledding (on his own!) and ended up enjoying it.
Sledding at Blackwater Falls State Park was a great way to introduce our kiddos to snow activities. I’m so glad we found out about this gem!
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
For future reference, be sure to save our post on Sledding at Blackwater Falls State Park! Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
While we were in the area, we stayed at the Canaan Valley Lodge.
