It wouldn’t be winter without some good, old-fashioned sledding. We’ve rounded up some spots in the Greater Portland area for you to do just that. Gather up the kids or your young-at-heart pals and head for the hills!

Elina Tsibulnikov, 5, sleds down a hill at Deering Oaks Park in Portland in January. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Deering Oaks
Bordered by Deering, Forest and Park Avenues. Portland. portlandmaine.gov
The hill isn’t huge, but that makes it ideal for young sledders looking to get in on the fun. Deering Oaks park is spread over 55 acres, and when it’s cold enough, you can also go skating on the pond.

A child runs up a hill at the Eastern Promenade to sled down it again on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Eastern Promenade
Eastern Promenade, Portland. portlandmaine.gov
Here’s a huge place to slide with a gorgeous view of the ocean. You’ll want to stick to the North Street and Main Slope sections. The Cutter Street parking lot is intentionally unplowed so you’ll have plenty of room.

Sledding hill at Fort Williams Park. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth. portlandheadlight.com
Breathe in the fresh, salty air of Casco Bay while sliding at Fort Williams Park. There’s a few hills to choose from, and winter admission is free.

Sledding at Payson Park. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Payson Park
Ocean Avenue, Eastern Promenade, Portland. portlandmaine.gov
The hill is wide and fast, and there are a few jumps set up, so be ready for some executive level rides. Please leave your car in the park rather than on Ocean Avenue.

Jordan Skaggs, 8, of Portland catches air off a jump while sledding at Riverside Golf Course in Portland on January 22, 2023. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

Riverside Golf Course
1158 Riverside St., Portland. riversidegolfcourseme.com
Riverside Golf Course has a total of 30 holes throughout 200 acres, and with the exception of some roped off areas, it’s all available for sledding. Other winter activities at Riverside are snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, ice skating and cross-country skiing.

South Portland High School softball fields
637 Highland Ave., South Portland. highschool.spsd.org
The only thing you’ll be learning while on the South Portland High School grounds is how to have a whole lot of fun as you zoom down the hill by the softball fields.