First, a confession: I am a wimp. My idea of extreme sport is navigating Starbucks on Saturday morning. Winter activities have always appealed to me, but I never thought I was destined to be a snow bunny until I heard of snow tubing, a relatively new ski-resort activity perfect for skill-less thrill seekers like myself. As its name implies, snow tubing involves a giant rubber inner tube -- you simply sit back on it (or prone, as is your wont) and shush down the slopes. It really is that simple (gotta love gravity). Once you reach the bottom of the hill, a tow pulls you back up to the top, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride. A winter sport where reclining is required? It could have been designed with me in mind.
What to Expect: Almost all area ski facilities offer snow tubing parks, which consist of multiple lanes -- wide, slick grooves in the snow that guide tubes down the slopes. Your tube is lashed to a rope tow to take you to the top of the slope. You then wait your turn until the lane is clear, position yourself in the tube, and -- whoosh! -- you're off. Tubing is popular among children, though many centers have minimum-height requirements (they vary by facility, so call and check in advance). And although it holds obvious appeal for kids and klutzes, tubing is even catching on among extreme snowboarders and skiers looking for effortless excitement between daredevil maneuvers. "As an avid skier, I'm afraid to admit that the tubers always seem to be having more fun," says Scott Smith, the editor and founder of DCski.com, a site devoted to local skiing news and reviews.
It's almost like reclining on the sofa at home. Except there's no TV. And this seat moves at many miles per hour.
(Rebecca D'angelo For The Washington Post)
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What to Bring: As with other winter sports, tubing involves contact with snow, so a waterproof outer layer is best to avoid that soggy-jeans feeling. Don't bother bringing a tube -- most places only let you ride on rentals.
Cost: Prices, which include tube rental and use of the lift, range from $16 to $22 for a two-hour weekend session; all-day passes and special weekday rates are also often available. Emily Heil
Where to Get Tubular
Bryce Resort. Basye, Va. 800-821-1444. www.bryceresort.com. Two-hour weekend session: $17. This small skiing venue limits crowds to preserve its laid-back vibe. Since the resort's modest slopes don't attract too many hard-core skiers, tubers will feel right at home.
Liberty Mountain Resort. Carroll Valley, Pa. 717-642-8282. www.skiliberty.com. Two-hour weekend session: $16. Only about an hour from the Beltway, Liberty is one of the closest resorts to the D.C. area, making it a good choice for a first tubing adventure. The tubing lodge, styled like a rustic log cabin, is picture-perfect.
Massanutten Resort. Massanutten, Va. 540-289-9441. www.massresort.com. Two-hour weekend session: $18. A close-in location, plus separate parking and ticketing for tubers, makes this Virginia ski classic an easy destination for a weeknight outing. Massanutten packs three "hoop-de-doos" (humps under the snow that give riders a little lift) into tubing lanes that boast some of the steepest inclines in the area. Be warned: Tubing tickets sell out fast, so the resort recommends calling at least a day ahead to check availability.
Ski Roundtop. Lewisberry, Pa. 717-432-9631. www.skiroundtop.com. Two-hour weekend session: $16. Hook four or five tubes together for a party on the slopes at this social hub. Adults rule the tubing park (redesigned this year for faster runs) during regular open-till-midnight Friday sessions.
Whitetail Mountain Resort. Mercersburg, Pa. 717-328-9400. www.skiwhitetail.com. Two-hour weekend session: $16. Tubing gets star billing here. A separate lodge designated for tubers was expanded last year to accommodate the hordes of undergrads who come for the rowdy "college nights."
Wintergreen Resort. Wintergreen, Va. 434-325-2100. www.wintergreenresort.com. Two-hour weekend session: $22. A relative newcomer to the sport (it debuted here in 2001), Wintergreen is a popular spot for single-digit birthdays and corporate retreats alike. Kids get their own tubing park with gentler inclines,
while those seeking a bigger thrill can try "The Plunge" -- 10 lanes of steeper fun.
Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort. McHenry, Md. 301-387-4911. www.skiwisp.com. Two-hour weekend session: $19. Tubing is only one of the unusual snow-centric activities offered here (ski biking, anyone?). Saturday and Sunday tend to be crowded, but weekdays offer smooth sailing.
Know of a great outdoors opportunity in your area? E-mail getout@washpost.com. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number.
