Looking for downhill racing fun without skis or snowboards? Snow tubing may be just the thing to inflate your spirits.
In the Upstate, we’re lucky to have access to plenty of hills perfect for sledding—when we get snow. But once you’ve felt the rush of a neighborhood downhill run, you may be hungry for somewhat steeper thrills. You might say it’s . . . a slippery slope.
Skiers, of course, have plenty of options within driving distance, but what if you and your family want something more chill? Something faster than a sled but not quite as daunting as skis or snowboards? A big rubber doughnut-shaped contraption may be in your future.
Snow tubing has come a long way since its rumored origins in the 1820s in the Alps. Instead of inflated inner tubes taken from pneumatic tires, today’s snow tubes have been specifically designed for low friction (thus high speeds) on snowy surfaces—so follow all safety precautions. At most venues, lifts can take you back to the top when you’re ready for another run, and machines guarantee snowy slopes regardless of the weather. Unlike with skiing or snowboarding, no special equipment or training is necessary, so bundle up and get ready for glory; snow tubing came close to being an Olympic sport in 2010, and who knows what awaits downhill?
Note: Hurricane Helene took its toll this fall on many of North Carolina’s mountain regions. Be sure to check with each site beforehand for travel accessibility. Advance reservations recommended at most places.
Snow Tubing Travel Guide
Beech Mountain Ski Resort
The regular tubing season is set to open Nov. 30, but Beech also offers a chance to slide under the stars with lights and music during its special Cosmic Tubing sessions, beginning Dec. 6.
1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy., Beech Mountain, NC, beechmountainresort.com
Weekdays, $37; weekends & holidays, $45
Sessions: 1 ½ hours
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Located on the Sugar Mountain Golf Course, the 700-foot tube lanes are serviced by a Magic Carpet lift. A snow-making machine ensures smooth sliding in any weather.
1009 Sugar Mountain Dr., Sugar Mountain, NC, skisugar.com
Weekdays, $40; weekends & holidays, $50
Sessions: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Hawksnest Tubing Park
Located just outside Boone and boasting four different snow tubing areas and up to 30 lanes, Hawksnest is one of the largest snow tubing parks on the East Coast—when they’re not offering ziplining and whitewater-rafting tours.
2058 Skyland Dr., Seven Devils, NC, hawksnesttubing.com
Mon.–Thurs., $38; Fri., $45; Sat., Sun & holidays, $54
Sessions: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Black Bear Snow Tubing
Not only does Black Bear offer snow tubing starting Dec. 21, it also deploys its green and white tubing mat (the only one of its kind in the U.S., imported from Germany) for runs during warmer months. And there’s a heated lodge for cocoa-sipping spectators.
373 Kerr Rd., Hendersonville, NC, blackbearsnowtubing.com
$30 for 1 hour, $40 for 2 hours
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
Moonshine features more than 500 feet of tube run, plus an outdoor fire pit and a lodge with concessions. Bring cash, as they don’t accept plastic.
5865 Willow Rd., Hendersonville, NC, themoonshinemountain.com
$40 for 1 hour, 45 minutes
Zip N Slip Snow Tubing Park
Snow levels will vary throughout the season, but with optimal conditions, Zip N Slip claims its rides can exceed 800 feet. A solarium with a fireplace and full views of the tubing runs is available for onlookers.
10725 US-23, Mars Hill, NC, zipnslip.com
$30 for 1 hour, $45 for 2 hours
Highlands Outpost
In a park that also houses a gem mine, trout fishing, and the Scaly Mountain Screamer coaster, Highlands Outpost offers tubing in the summer months and provides snow via machine from November to February.
7420 Dillard Rd., Scaly Mountain, NC, highlandsoutpost.com
$35-$40 for 2 hours
