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Eagle Island State Park preps sledding hills

Posted at 8:00 AM, Nov 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-24 10:00:09-05

We may have a short warm stretch ahead, but it won't stop the Eagle Island snow hill from opening this Friday.
And this year, the hill won't look anything like years past.

The sledding hill has been completely transformed and man-made snow is just the beginning.

"We've been making huge amounts of snow. We'll have mountains 15 to 20 feet deep," says Ryan Neptune of Gateway Parks.

This year, a moving carpet will take you effortlessly to the top. But it's a different top from years past because Gateway has removed the fence at the top of the hill making another 200 feet of sledding terrain available.

The added area doubles the available terrain which will allow for two sledding lanes and a terrain park for skiers and snowboarders. A stunt airbag will be a regular feature.

"We'll have a permanent air bag all winger long," says Neptune.  "Kids can jump into and learn tricks."
And then there's the most amazing transformation of all, a series of 45-foot tall zipline towers.

"The zipline is so cool.  We're excited about it. To have zip over tubing lines and come back and out a half mile and seven different zips," says Neptune.

And if you're wondering about the Eagle Sports Complex which has more bikers than snow and a lift that's covered in weeds Neptune says it's only temporarily on the back burner.

"Our plan is not to abandon the sports complex.  This is a purely economical startup."

Meaning, Eagle Island is much easier to cover with snow and get started in time for the holidays.