For the second straight year, Christy Sports has partnered with Denver Parks and Recreation and Winter Park Resort to provide free snowboard and ski rental gear to underprivileged youth at the Ruby Hill Rail Yard.


The free, urban ski and ride park is located just outside of downtown Denver and is designed to give those who may have never experienced skiing and snowboarding the opportunity to try the sport. The Rail Yard is projected to open the week of Jan. 11 (weather permitting). The Rail Yard will be open 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. with lights running until 9 p.m.

 

The free rentals are only available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Ruby Hill Rail Yard located at South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue. Ruby Hill Rail Yard will remain open through the first week of March (weather permitting). Currently, snow machines are hard at work at the rail yard, producing enough snow so the park can open as scheduled.

Youth, ages 8-17, who want to use the equipment, will need to have a parent present to sign a release form before snowboards and/or skis will be given out. The Christy Sports on-site rental facility will be open on Tuesdays and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The park will feature six rails of varying configurations and skill levels.


“The sport of Skiing has benefited Christy Sports for more than 50 years-and this is one way we can pay it forward to help uplift other members of the community,” said Dan Fox, director of Front Range operations at Christy Sports. “Through our involvement with Ruby Hill, we hope that we can open the eyes of a new generation to how fun snowboarding and skiing can be, so we can build a new generation of fans-and who knows, this event may lead to the discovery of the next world champion or gold medal winner.”


The Ruby Hill project is designed to fit into the City of Denver’s urban recreation needs by providing a free service for the city’s youth. “No other city in the nation provides such a service to its residents,” said Timothy Hutchens, Rail Yard supervisor for Denver Parks and Recreation for the City of Denver. “Most of the kids living near Ruby Hill cannot afford new equipment nor have the funds to rent, so we are thankful to Christy Sports for making this possible and not only providing free equipment but also staffing the gear shop to ensure the equipment is properly fitted for safety and comfort.”