The City of Levelland Parks Department is currently working on providing snow on Lobo Hill for another sledding event this coming weekend.
Dustin Reichelt, director of parks and cemetery for the city, said there are a couple of factors that go into making a successful sled hill.
First, and most importantly, is the temperature.
“The temperatures and the duration of how long the cold temperatures last are the major factors,” Reichelt said. “Typically, we need 28 degrees or colder, and it needs to be for at least 24 hours. It’s looking like we will have that over two nights, Saturday and Sunday.”
Reichelt said the parks department planned to begin making snow over the weekend into this week.
He added that humidity is also a factor and higher humidity negatively impacts the snow making process.
Monday is the day when everyone will be able to come out to Lobo Hill, on a first come first serve basis, to enjoy sledding.
The city has allotted for five time slots and sleds will be available to participants on a firstcome first-serve basis.
Reichelt said there will be a maximum of 35 sleds available for each time slot, and at that point, it can become too busy and overwhelming.
Participants will be required to leave once the time slot is up to allow for required maintenance, and to give others a chance to participate.
Individuals will not be allowed to bring their own sled and will be required to use one as provided by the city.
Reichelt said making artificial snow and providing a sledding hill in Levelland was something he and the parks department wanted to do again as it’s unique and fun.
“It’s popular and something unique for the community,” Reichelt said. “It’s something we’re going to continue doing when the weather cooperates.”
Over the past 12 years, Reichelt said the trend shows that the weather provides for multiple times to make artificial snow. He hopes that as the weather cooperates, the parks department will again be able to provide a sled hill for the community to enjoy during the winter months.
“I wanted to bring a sled hill to Levelland and it’s something that we will keep going,” Reichelt said.
The parks department hosted the first sled hill in 2022 and had more than 250 reservations.
“Kids love snow, I love snow, people love snow,” Reichelt said. “It’s a popular thing and we don’t get a lot of snow, so it’s fund to bring that to our community.”
The hill will include three lanes children can choose to slide from. Reichelt also explained that while temperatures show to be above freezing the later part of the week, there is more than enough snow for children to enjoy throughout the weekend.
The planned schedule for the hill will begin: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A new feature to this years sled hill will be a dedicated area for children to play in the snow without having to slide down the hill.
To keep up with updates regarding the potential for sled hill Monday, follow the City of Levelland’s Facebook page.