Tobogganing in North York: six City hills and one ski centre.

The 6 City-Designated Hills

The City of Toronto's official toboggan list names 6 hills in North York, one in each of six parks. Each is listed by street address with a map link. The City's list was last modified April 2, 2025 and counts 28 designated locations citywide. The 2026-27 list had not been published as of October 4, 2026, so re-check toronto.ca in November.

What the City does not tell you: how steep each hill is, whether there are lights for after-dark sliding, where to park, which TTC route is closest, or whether washrooms are open in winter. Treat all of that as "check when you arrive" and plan a short walk from the nearest street. The City says it inspects listed hills regularly and may close one if conditions are unsafe.

Six hills, six parks, no published amenities — pack like the park has none.— North York Guide

Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre

The City-run Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre at 4169 Bathurst St is the one place in North York built for downhill snow sports. It is not a sledding hill (see the safety section below), but it is the alternative if your family wants lifts, lessons and rentals. It has a beginner hill with a rope tow, plus a main hill, race hill and south hill served by a four-person chairlift, an accessible chalet at the top of the main hill, and washrooms with inside and outside access.

Opening dates: what we know

The City says the season is "scheduled to begin in January and end mid-March, depending on weather and snowfall." The centre makes its own snow, which needs temperatures at or below -5 C. The 2026-27 opening date has not been announced as of October 4, 2026. Past openings: Monday, January 20, 2025 (scheduled to March 16) and Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (scheduled to March 22, with the south and race hills closed at first while staff built snow). Based on those two seasons, January 2027 is a reasonable expectation, but it is an expectation, not an announcement.

Hours in the 2025 season were Monday to Friday 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 2026-27 hours are not yet published.

Lift tickets and memberships (prices effective January 1, 2026)

Season ski memberships, valid Monday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to close: $215.27 (18 and under), $274.73 (19+), $137.34 (60+) and $843.98 for a family of 2 adults and up to 4 children in the same household.

Rentals and lessons

A full rental set (skis or board plus boots) was $22.54 for 2 hours, $25.02 for 3 hours and $36.93 all day; skis or board only was $20.03 / $22.54 / $29.43; boots only $16.26 / $18.76 / $25.02; a helmet $6.28. Each renter leaves a $50 refundable deposit and one piece of government photo ID, and needs a valid lift ticket or membership. Rentals are first come, first served, and Interac pre-authorization is not accepted.

The City runs Learn to Ski and Learn to Snowboard programs for ages 3-5 (with a caregiver), children and youth, and adults, plus one-day clinics and private lessons. Lesson fees are set in the City's registration listing; see the lessons page. No snow tubing is listed on any official City page for Earl Bales.

Getting there

Earl Bales Park has parking lots at its north and south ends; the parking fee and the best TTC route are not confirmed on toronto.ca, so check ttc.ca before you go. Check the City's ski centre page and call 416-395-7931 for conditions.

Safety Rules and the Earl Bales Ban

The City's own checklist, from its tobogganing page (modified April 2, 2025):

• Scan the hill first for trees, rocks, bumps, fences and bare spots, with plenty of room to stop and no river, road or railroad at the bottom. Skip icy slopes.
• Use proper sliding equipment. Inner tubes and plastic discs are "difficult to control and can be dangerous."
• Wear a helmet; a ski helmet works. Avoid loose scarves, drawstrings and long ropes.
• Kneel or sit; never stand or go head-first. Slide down the middle, climb up the sides, and check the route is clear.
• Supervise every child with an adult, and leave pets at home.
• Report unsafe conditions to 311; call 911 for emergencies.

The 2024 hill-ban reversal, in short

On January 14, 2024 the City put no-tobogganing signs on 45 hills it called unsafe, leaving 29 designated hills. In February 2024, City Council voted 21-3 to lift the ban; the signs were replaced with risk-advisory signs and hay bales went back in. As a result there is no current official "banned hills" list, and we do not publish one. The City's warning still stands: hills that are not on its list "may be unsafe and may have hazards such as trees, rocks and stumps, or may lead to rivers or roads."

What to Bring

• A steerable sled (a hard plastic or wooden toboggan) rather than a tube or disc.
• A helmet for every rider, kids and adults.
• Waterproof mittens, boots and snow pants; skip scarves and anything with drawstrings.
• A thermos and a spare set of mittens. Washrooms are not confirmed at the six hills.
• A phone with 311 saved to report a hazard, and a charged battery for after-dark pickups.

Quick comparison: the hills versus Earl Bales