USA TODAY 10Best
Where to go snow tubing: 10 awesome places to enjoy a winter wonderland
Best Place for Snow Tubing (2023)
Active winter sports like skiing and snowboarding aren't for everyone, and not all snow enthusiasts have the time to learn the skills or invest in all the equipment needed for the slopes. And that's part of what makes snow tubing so appealing.
Whether it's your first time playing in the snow or you grew up on the mountain, you can enjoy a day of slipping and sliding at these 10 places, nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best spots for snow tubing in the United States.
- Keystone Ski Resort - Keystone, Colorado
- Copper Mountain - Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Butternut Ski Area and Tubing Center - Great Barrington, Massachusetts
- Mt. Hood Skibowl - Government Camp, Oregon
- King Pine Ski Area - Madison, New Hampshire
- Cranmore Mountain Resort - North Conway, New Hampshire
- Coca-Cola Tube Hill at Winter Park Resort - Winter Park, Colorado
- Big Bear Snow Play - Big Bear Lake, California
- Wintergreen Resort - Wintergreen, Virginia
- Camelback Resort - Tannersville, Pennsylvania
Photo courtesy of Katie Young, Keystone Resort
No. 10:
Most snow tubing centers are located at ski resort base areas — convenient, if not particularly scenic. Keystone's Mountaintop Tubing Hill breaks the mold with its dramatic Dercum Mountain summit setting, with multiple lanes open, located next to the resort's famous Snow Fort.
Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain
No. 9:
No day on the slopes is complete without a thrilling ride down Copper Mountain's snow tubing hills. With unique banked turns, every ride provides a memorable experience.
Photo courtesy of GROGL / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 8:
Ten snow tubing lanes and a Magic Carpet lift make the Butternut Ski Area and Tubing Center a fantastic option for snow tubing. Tubing tickets can be purchased for 2-hour sessions, and tubers aged 5 and up are welcome.
Photo courtesy of Gary Peterson
No. 7:
With multiple lane options, a lift to take guests and their tubes to the top of the hill, and the choice of single, double, or party tubes, Mt. Hood Skibowl promises plenty of snow tubing fun. Tubing is available during the day, but the main event here is Cosmic Tubing at night. With more than 600,000 LED lights, laser lights, music, and more, Cosmic Tubing is billed as "the best party on the mountain."
Photo courtesy of King Pine Ski Area
No. 6:
King Pine is a hidden gem, a family-friendly destination resort with an entertaining downhill ski area and a three-lane snow tubing park. Hour-long sessions at the Pine Meadows Tubing Park come with a budget-friendly price and groomed chutes with a tow-rope to keep little legs from getting tired between runs.
Photo courtesy of Cranmore Mountain Resort
No. 5:
Located just a few minutes from downtown North Conway, Cranmore Mountain Resort lures winter visitors with a variety of outdoor activities, including downhill skiing, a zip line, mountain coaster, a giant swing, and 10 lanes of snow tubing. The tubing park limits ticket sales for each session to maximize time on the slope.
Photo courtesy of Winter Park Resort
No. 4:
Adventurers from all over the country travel to Colorado to explore the slopes at Winter Park. The Coca-Cola Tube Hill consists of multiple lanes and a covered conveyor lift brings tubers up to the top. Ride around the twists and turns at full speed in the fast lane or journey on a slower path. Slide down with a group of friends or even rent out the hill to have it all to yourself.
Photo courtesy of Lee Stockwell
No. 3:
Big Bear Snow Play offers lots of family fun with its snow tubing lanes, reinforced with plenty of fluffy snow. Beyond day tubing, after-dark glow tubing sessions offer a fun twist with neon lights illuminating the tubing lanes.
Photo courtesy of Wintergreen Resort
No. 2:
Although Wintergreen Resort is known for its skiing and snowboarding, The Plunge tubing park is guaranteed to release a few terrifying screams that end in a grin. Tubers begin at the top of a hill, the height of a 10-story building, and as they make their way downhill, they find themselves traveling at speeds up to 30 mph. Once they reach the bottom (and catch their breath), they can hop on the conveyor lift with their tubes for a quick ride back to the top.
Photo courtesy of Camelback Resort
No. 1:
With 2-hour sessions and over 40 lanes to choose from, there's never a dull moment when snow tubing at Camelback Resort in the Poconos. Guests can line up side by side to race against family or friends, and things get totally "tubular" at night with a lit Galactic snow tubing experience.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon is a native to the Philadelphia area, but... Read More
Sharon is a native to the Philadelphia area, but loves to wander from its familiar borders. She has traveled to more than 30 countries, trekked five continents, ventured out with family, friends and on solo trips and tackled numerous adventures that were both in and well out of her comfort zone. When she's not traveling, you may find her out on her bicycle on the local roads and trails dreaming up her next adventure. Her other works can be found at AAA The Extra Mile, Trekaroo.com, FWT Magazine, NJ Family and a variety of other online publications.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon is a native to the Philadelphia area, but loves to wander from its familiar borders. She has traveled to more than 30 countries, trekked five continents, ventured out with family, friends and on solo trips and tackled numerous adventures that were both in and well out of her comfort zone. When she's not traveling, you may find her out on her bicycle on the local roads and trails dreaming up her next adventure. Her other works can be found at AAA The Extra Mile, Trekaroo.com, FWT Magazine, NJ Family and a variety of other online publications.
Snow Brains
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of... Read More
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of intelligent ski & ride news, editorials, weather, photos, and videos. Our goal is to keep you, our friends, informed in a smart and easily digestible way. Connect with SnowBrains on instragram, Facebook, X/Twitter, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Linkedin or the podcast app.
Snow Brains
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of intelligent ski & ride news, editorials, weather, photos, and videos. Our goal is to keep you, our friends, informed in a smart and easily digestible way. Connect with SnowBrains on instragram, Facebook, X/Twitter, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Linkedin or the podcast app.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
