The best hills for sledding in Toronto's east end
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Photo: Paul Gorbould
Nothing says winter quite like tobogganing and you'd be hard-pressed to find a Canadian that doesn't have a nostalgic story about a time it was -20 and they went speeding down the hill...
Whether you've got younguns or you're young at heart, embrace winter and bring some classic fun back to the slopes with downhill adventure. Dust off the sled, fill a wine flask and head to one of these east end descents.
Riverdale Park East is the crown jewel of tobogganing hills in Toronto — and for good reason. The park's eastern face offers unobstructed views of the city skyline and the long, pitch-perfect slope makes for an epic ride. Bring your skates as the park also features an outdoor skating rink (currently getting a makeover) that makes for a fun post-sled activity.
550 Broadview Ave.
Withrow Park, south of Danforth between Logan and Carlaw, is a wintertime favourite for kids and adults from the local streets. This medium-sized hill offers a steep charge, but it's far shorter than other hills in the area and the smooth slope means butts won't be (as) bruised the following day. The slope is more modest from the south side if your kids find it too steep. Bonus: A set of stairs off to the side makes going back up less of a trudge.
725 Logan Ave.
Greenwood Park is best known for having Toronto’s first covered outdoor skating rink, but the locals know when the snow flies, it's also home to a solid tobogganing hill. Stretching from the Dundas to to the north end of the park along Greenwood, the slope ranges from gentle to relatively steep. It's a good option for small kids as the runs are short there is a very long, flat run-off area.
150 Greenwood Ave.
East Lynn Park, which is two blocks west of Woodbine and just south of Danforth, has a perfect slope for kids. It's short and relatively easy to climb back up again, and again, and again and again. The park is right off the Danforth, which means you have access to many cafes for apres-toboganning cocoa.
1949 Danforth Ave.
The pint-sized slope at Cassels Avenue Playground might be gentler than some of the other black diamonds on this list, but it does the trick and it's great for little ones. Plus, being somewhat secluded means you've got the place to yourself.
69 Cassels Ave.
The small hills behind the Fairmount Park Community Centre are A-OK for a quick morning of thrills after a snowstorm rolls through the city. The park also has an outdoor skating rink, and when you're ready for hot chocolate, head for a warm-up at Bodega Henriette just up the road.
1725 Gerrard Street
