In recent years, snow tubing has become popular at North Carolina ski resorts as an alternative activity for families and groups. It's an option for people who want to enjoy the snow, but don't want to ski or snowboard. Every resort has its own rules and restrictions regarding tubing, so don't head out before making sure everyone in your group is old enough and tall enough to participate.
Forty minutes west of Asheville, North Carolina, Tube World is a five-run snow tube park at the Cataloochee Ski Area. It is typically open from the last two weeks of December through the first week of March, weather permitting. Operating hours vary depending on the month and day of the week.
Each tubing session lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. No outside tubes, sleds or sliding devices are permitted, and two-person tubing is not allowed. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall. A moving carpet lift brings riders back to the top of the run.
Cataloochee Ski Area
Highway 19
Maggie Valley, NC 28751
828-926-0285
tubemaggievalley.com
Beech Mountain Resort is located approximately three hours northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina, close to the Tennessee border. The resort has one dedicated snow tubing run, which is open Friday through Sunday only.
Tickets for each 2-hour session are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tubers must be at least 48 inches tall, and parental consent is required for children under 18.
Beech Mountain Resort
1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy.
Beech Mountain, NC 28604
828-387-2011
skibeech.com
Sugar Mountain Resort is located approximately 2 1/2 hours northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. During ski season, the tubing run is open daily, with six sessions beginning every 2 hours between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Each tubing session is 1 hour and 45 minutes long.
The 700-foot tubing run has several chutes and a moving conveyor carpet lift to take riders back to the top. Sugar Mountain does not have a height restriction for its tubing run.
Children ages 3 and up can participate, although children 3 to 6 must share a tube with an adult and children 7 to 8 must be under the direct supervision of an adult. Parental waivers are required for all children under 11 years old.
Sugar Mountain Resort
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-4521
skisugar.com
Thirty minutes north of Asheville, North Carolina, Wolf Ridge Ski Resort has tubing from Thanksgiving through mid-March, weather permitting. Riders can choose from 1-hour and 2-hour tubing sessions.
Children age 6 and under ride free with a paying adult, and the resort offers special rates for groups of 12 or more. Weekday specials are available Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
578 Valley View Circle
Mars Hill, NC 28754
828-778-6115
skiwolfridgenc.com
