What is Snow Tubing? Best Parks, Prices, & Things to Know

Snow tubing is the exhilarating activity of sliding down a snow-covered slope on a tube. This winter sport is attracting more people each year, and the best part is you don’t need to be a mountaineer or skier to enjoy the activity. With most ski resorts developing longer and steeper snow tubing runs, you can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.

Spin, bump, bounce, and laugh your way to the bottom of the snow run. Let’s expand on the speedy sport of snow tubing below before diving into the costs and requirements.

Snow Tube Parks

Most snow tubing parks are located at high altitudes and have conveyor carpets to get you to the top of the run. Included in your ticket price is a snow tube rental. These are specially manufactured for snow tubing and have handles as well as a leash. Typically, you won’t be permitted to bring your own sliding device.

However, some ski resorts require you to bring your own tube, and others do not have lifts back to the top of the run. So make sure you check before leaving home.

Snow Tubing Session Price

A snow tubing session is typically no longer than one hour. More than enough time to complete a few runs and set your adrenaline in full swing!

Snow tubing session prices start from $15 per person and can range to $35.

Know Before You Go Snow Tubing

The snow tubing run, as with most ski runs, is busiest on weekends and holidays. You’ll want to keep this in mind when planning your snow day adventure. An early morning run can help you to avoid the crowds and waits at the ticket booth.

How Safe Is Snow Tubing?

Snow tubing is a safe activity when conducted correctly. Chute conditions vary with weather and equipment – both of which are monitored by the snow tubing park. While very uncommon, injuries from snow tubing do occur. However, visiting well-maintained snow slides ensure you will have a positive experience.

There are no brakes on snow tubes! For a safe run, it is crucial you wait for the previous tube to complete and exit the chute. Move to the starting point and position yourself facing forwards while sitting with your bottom in the tube for the best control.

Are you feeling nervous? Pair up with a buddy for a tandem run, staying together while each in your own tube.

Age and Height Requirements

While snow tubing is a fun winter activity for all ages and abilities, most snow tubing venues have requirements for age or height in place to ensure safe use of the equipment and facilities. In some resorts, the minimum age is four and the minimum height is 42 inches.

When Is the Best Time to Go Snow Tubing?

You can go snow tubing all year round. While some snow tubing parks in high altitudes can maintain a run throughout the year, most snow parks are seasonal, only opening in winter.

Typically snow tubing takes place from November through to March. The use of snowmaking technology means there will be runs open outside of this period. These snow machines break water into small particles to create authentic-looking snow.

However, nothing beats tubing in winter while snow is falling from the sky.

What Should I Wear Snow Tubing?

Knowing what to wear in the snow is an important part of feeling comfortable while hurtling down a snow run. With snow tubing typically taking place in temperatures below 31°F (-0.55°C) it is important to keep your body’s core temperature up.

Dressing in layers and wearing waterproof ski pants is a great idea for a snow tubing outfit. Make sure you stay warm, keeping your head and hands covered. You will want to avoid clothing that absorbs moisture such as cotton.

Choose waterproof clothing from trusted outdoor brands for clothing that will stand up to the cold conditions. A pair of hiking shoes or waterproof boots with a thick pair of socks will keep your toes warm.

Lastly, remember to keep your valuables safe when tubing. You can take small items with you but you won’t need your purse or backpack while shooting down the hillside.

Find the Nearest Snow Tubing to You

With the high-speed sport grabbing the attention of most ski resorts, you may not have to travel far to reach one of the incredible snow tubing parks listed below.

Bubly Tube Park – Whistler, Canada

Located on Base 2 Zone of Whistler’s Blackcomb Mountain, this is the perfect family activity after a day of skiing on the world-class slopes. As you arrive at Bubly Tube Park, you will feel a sense of excitement with music playing and kids shouting in joy.

The park has seven lanes, ranging from a gentle mini slope to a heart-pumping fast lane covering 1000 feet. The tickets are sold in one and two-hour sessions at this park. Snow tubing is a great activity in Whistler, but no sea to sky highway road trip is complete without views of the mountain from the gondola.

Snoqualmie Pass Tubing – Washington, United States

This exhilarating snow tubing venue has 20 lanes on the summit of Snoqualmie Pass. While there is a surface lift to take you to the top – you can easily walk up the hill too. You’ll enjoy sharing time with your family and won’t want to leave the runs. The Snoqualmie tubing runs reach up to 500 feet long over a vertical drop of 40 feet.

Tickets are between $17 and $22 and can be purchased ahead of time online. The nearby ski resort and ski school of Snoqualmie offer a welcomed escape for a winter weekend away. You’ll be glad you joined your kids tubing at Snoqualmie Pass.

Ober Gatlinburg Snow Tubing – Tennessee, United States

If you have kids and hope to have an action-packed day in Eastern Tennessee, Ober Gatlinburg is a great option. The amusement park gives you access to the mountain via a gondola and offers skiing and snow tubing. Tubing sessions are 90 minutes long and cost $30 during the week and $35 on weekends.

The tubing hill is an impressive 350 feet long and covers a 50-foot drop. You’ll feel comfortable using the magic carpet to the top of the hill for your next exhilarating run.

Wisp Resort Snow Tubing Run – Maryland, United States

With two conveyor carpets and twelve tube shoots, this ski in ski out resort offers great snow tubing. You’ll fly down the 750-foot shoot. Snow tubing sessions are two hours long and tickets for standard sessions are $24 while premium sessions are $34.

Cypress Mountain – West Vancouver, Canada

A popular ski destination for vacations in Vancouver, Cypress Mountain is suited to beginners and offers you a more affordable ski experience than at the Whistler Blackcomb resort. Known as Gnarly’s tube park, it is not as extensive as the others listed above. However, it has six well-maintained runs covering 320 feet and is worth mentioning.

Tickets for the snow tubing are $32 for all ages. It is important to note you must be older than six years and meet the minimum height of 42” to enjoy the runs here. Luckily, children who don’t meet these requirements can enjoy the sliding area for $15 – provided you bring your own inflatable.

Titlis Glacier Park – Engelberg, Switzerland

With ice cave tours and exhilarating snow activities, the Titlis Glacier Park is the ideal destination for snow tubing. Experience a 360° view of the surrounding mountains and Titlis Glacier during your cable car trip to the peak.

Hurtle down the piste on a snow tube before taking in the spectacular scenery on your way back to the top of the run. Make the most of your time in the glacier park by using the carpet conveyor to bring you back to the top quickly.

While the snow tubing here is free, the cost may be higher than similar snow tubing parks, as tickets to access Mt Titlis cost $100. However, the price includes many activities at the glacier park.

Snow Tubing Tignes – Tignes, France

As one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, you can enjoy hours on the slopes at either of the picturesque ski resorts, Tignes & Val d’lesere. The snow tubing is located at Grande Motte park entrance at Val Claret. The minimum age is three years old, and tickets cost $14 per hour-long session.

After a day on the slopes, consider changing your skis for an inflated tube and speed downhill under floodlights. One of the highlights of the snow tubing park in Tignes is the hive of activity that comes alive at night.

Where Will You Go Snow Tubing?

The above snow tubing parks are an easy choice for a winter weekend away. Put on your warm ski gloves and hold on tight while you slide and spin down the slope at one of the impressive resorts listed above. You’ll enjoy snow tubing no matter your age or mountaineering ability as you need no previous experience.

Where have you been snow tubing before? Share your experience below.