When snow falls, some people will hide indoors while others will race outside! If you prefer to have fun indoors, there are many kid-friendly places where you can have a great time and stay toasty warm. But if you want to enjoy the “winter wonderland” to its fullest, you’re in luck! Fairfax County and Northern Virginia may not get too much snow each year, but when we do, you can find several places to go cross-country skiing and sledding. See below for our list of sledding and cross-country skiing nearby, have fun, and have a safe and enjoyable winter! Locations with the best sledding hills are listed first, followed by places for cross-country skiing. As always, please check with specific parks for policies and updates, and remember that sledding and skiing are prohibited at all Fairfax County golf courses.
SLEDDING
Popular sledding hills in Fairfax County (these were once announced by the county):
- Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston (behind the picnic area restrooms)
- Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale (on the hill at the end of Meadow Trail)
- Jefferson Manor Park, 2909 Farmington Dr., Jefferson Manor (on the hill at the shelter)
- Cardinal Forest Park, 6121 Roxbury Ave., Springfield (along the sewer easement between Carleigh Pkwy. and Roxbury Ave.)
- Greenway Heights Park, 8203 Riding Ridge Place, Great Falls (through the stream valley property)
- Westgate Park, 7550 Magarity Rd., McLean (behind second ball field)
- Other Fairfax County parks with sledding hills such as Brookfield Park, Burke Lake Park, Canterbury Woods, Crooked Creek Park, Franconia Park, George Mason Park, Lakeside Park, Marie Butler Leven Preserve, Nottoway Park, Patriot Park, Stringfellow Park, Surrey Square Park, and Woodglen Lake Park
Other sledding locations in Northern Virginia suggested by area residents (our readers):
- Manassas National Battlefield in Manassas, by the Stone House off Route 29
- Van Dyck Park in the City of Fairfax
- Lees Corner Elementary in Chantilly
- George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive in Alexandria
- “Mt. Reston” in Reston, off Wiehle past Sunset Hills before you get to Baron Cameron, by the Unitarian Church
- Centreville by the Cub Run Stream Valley Park (along the natural gas pipeline behind the London Towne residential area, around Baskingstoke Loop)
- Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, hills on the front near the box office
- Franklin Park in Purcelville (Loudoun County)
(Please note: these are areas suggested by readers of this website. Please abide by any trespassing rules, posted signs, rules of the property, and government ordinances. FairfaxFamilyFun.com doe not make any recommendations and is in no way responsible for trespassing or other violations or any injury or death of any person or persons on any hills listed anywhere on this website).
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:
Fairfax County recommends the following as some of the best local trails for cross-country skiing. Information on entry, distances, difficulty levels, and other details are here on the county site.
- Accotink Stream Valley Trail in Annandale
- Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station
- Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria
- Lake Fairfax Park in Reston
- Mason District Park in Annandale
- Riverbend Park in Great Falls
- Wakefield-Accotink in Springfield
Have any other placess to share (or updates to this list)? Drop us a line!
