Where you can and can't sled in Sandias

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - During winter break, many families living near Albuquerque look forward to playing in the snow in the Capulin Snow Play area on the road to the Sandia Ski Area and Sandia Crest.

But with little snow fall this year, rangers have made the decision to keep the area closed until they determine that there is sufficient snow on the ground for families to use the area.

"We have a set of specific criteria that we run through and we have to meet all those criteria before we decide to open the area or not," says Sandia District Forest Ranger Zach Parsons.

"People are welcome to sled anywhere on the national forest lands here in the Sandias at their own risk," adds Parsons.

"I think that if you take the proper precautions with the children, make sure the area's safe that that's fine," says Albuquerque father, Chris Dyck who took his kids sledding on Thursday. "It's always sledding at your own risk, but I think if you're careful that it's fine."

However, it's when people are not careful that you find cars parked on dangerous corners on the road leading up to the crest where people decide to jump out and sled in unsafe areas.

Rangers say they want to remind everyone to not block the road on those dangerous corners. In addition, there are at least three other specific spots you can't sled on at anytime. Those include the 10 K Trail Head, the pit near mile marker 5 on Highway 536 and the Tree Springs Trail head.

"Otherwise, go out and enjoy the snow, whether you're cross country skiing or snow shoeing or sledding or just hiking on some of the trails, we would encourage people to do that," adds Parsons.

To check conditions at the Capulin Snow Play area you can find that at their website.