Snow Tubing No Matter the Season
Sevierville, Tennessee, native Matthew Ayers stood on top of a groomed slope of dirt in Pigeon Forge and provided his vision for the future. With shoes caked in mud at the top of the hill and beautiful mountains in the distance, Ayers’ enthusiasm made it easy to imagine what his new attraction—Pigeon Forge Snow—will look like as tubers stand on top of a snowy slope looking out windows at those distant mountains and then plummeting down one of the 15 lanes in a race to the bottom. They’ll ride the lift back to the top and experience the adrenaline rush once again.
While most snow tubing facilities in the region only operate for a short time each year in the colder winter months, Pigeon Forge Snow will be the first indoor facility in the U.S. to offer real snow year-round. If you arrive in town on a hot July day, you can just as easily tube the slopes as you can in mid-December.
“A lot of people who visit here have never seen it snow before,” says Ayers as he explains how he developed the idea to open Pigeon Forge Snow. “Here in the mountains, it doesn’t snow that often, and when it does there’s often not enough to really enjoy it.” He decided it would be fun to give people a chance to experience real snow any day of the year. In addition to the lanes, there will also be a play area perfect for building snowmen, snowball fights, and experiencing the delight of real snow in a facility that will stay between 60 and 70 degrees all year.
The technology of the system keeps the snow cold while allowing participants to play and frolic. “A lot of the engineering and magic happens beneath the snow,” Ayers said. “It’s real snow, so it will melt. Our job is to control the meltage as best as possible,” he said.
“Every night when we close there will be a team to blow all new snow all night long,” Ayers said.
Ayers was confident that visitors can come in wearing T-shirts or bathing suits and be comfortable. Gloves will be available for rent if guests are playing in the snow and making snow balls.
This isn’t Ayers first venture into the entertainment arena in Pigeon Forge. He also owns The Coaster at Goats on The Roof on Wears Valley Road. The alpine coaster takes riders through the hills of Tennesssee. Ride solo or with another person. If you get nervous, use the hand brakes to slow your cart to a desired speed.
When will Pigeon Forge Snow open? That’s the million-dollar question. Ayers said his crews have made great progress on the main building, but he can’t yet pinpoint the opening date. He does expect to invite customers in by the end of this year, and says the best way to stay up-to-date on announcements is by liking their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pigeonforgesnow). Ayers says he recently ran a Facebook contest to name their Polar Bear mascot. The winning name: Popsicle, or Pops for short.
Outside venues make up the rest of the snow tubing sites in our region. Along with the thrill and excitement of cascading down a slope, the conveyor lifts prove to be a great benefit for choosing to participate in snow tubing at a park—you don’t have to trudge back to the top on your own.
Safety Tips
Even though it’s fun, snow tubing does come with an element of risk. Snow tubing parks will require signed waivers before you can participate. Here are a few ways to stay safe on the slopes:
- Follow all instructions
- Pay attention to staff
- Don’t engage in horseplay
- Consider wearing a helmet
- One user per tube
- Ride feet first
- Don’t wear ski boots while tubing
- As soon as you stop at the bottom, move quickly out of the way
A quick look at regional snow tubing
Beech Mountain Resort Snow Tubing
Beech Mountain, N.C. | beechmountainresort.com/mountain/tubing
New state-of-the-art tubing park debuted Winter 2015 with chutes up to 700 feet in length and a magic carpet conveyer to transport riders to the top. Season runs November 24, 2017 through March 24, 2018.
Sessions: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Rates: $27/weekdays, $32/weekends/holidays
Tubing tickets are only sold in person on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Children are restricted by height. They must be 42 inches tall to ride. If they are too small, there’s a nearby solution. “The Town of Beech Mountain has a sledding hill and it’s in close proximity,” says Talia Freeman, director of marketing at Beech Mountain Resort. “It’s free. They just have to bring a sled.”
Cataloochee Ski Area Tube World
Maggie Valley, N.C. | cataloochee.com/planning/tube-world/
Located four miles from the ski area, across from the former Ghost Town in the Sky. The season typically starts in mid-December and runs through the first weekend in March.
Sessions: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Rates: $25 per person per session
There’s also a Wee Bowl for kids who aren’t tall enough for the larger hill. Wee Bowl is open on a limited basis, so check the status before planning your trip. Cost: $5 per session.
Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park
Seven Devils, N.C. | hawksnesttubing.com
Billed as the largest snow tubing facility on the east coast, Hawksnest offers more than 30 lanes ranging in length from 400 to 1000 feet and two moving carpet lifts. Recent upgrades: more lighting, snowmaking and lane grooming equipment.
Sessions: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Check website for 2017-2018 rates
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park
Newland, N.C. | jonasridgesnowtube.com
Six tubing lanes with conveyor lift.
Guests are shown a preliminary safety video to be aware of what can happen if you’re not paying attention.
Sessions: two hours
Rates: $30 per person, $23 for ages 6 and under. Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by a parent at all times during their two-hour session.
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
Hendersonville, N.C. | moonshinemountain.com
This park allows tube trains of up to six riders. All tubers ride solo. Minimum height requirement is 36 inches.
Opens for the season December 15, weather permitting
Sessions: two hours
Rates: $25 per person per session. Cash only; ATM on site.
Ober Gatlinburg Snow Tubing
Gatlinburg, Tenn. | obergatlinburg.com/tubing-2
Features 10 lanes across a 400-foot hill.
Open daily November 18, 2017 – April 1, 2018
Sessions: 90 minutes each
Rates: $25 per person per session
Pigeon Forge Snow
Pigeon Forge, Tenn. | pigeonforgesnow.com
Opening by the end of 2017, year-round facility
Check website for dates and rates.
Sugar Mountain Snow Tubing
Sugar Mountain, N.C. | skisugar.com/tubing
Lanes are 700-feet in length, Magic Carpet lift, snowmaking, lights for night tubing and regularly groomed lanes.
Sessions: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Rates: $28/weekdays, $33/weekends and Holidays; rates drop to $21 and $25 respectively on March 5, 2018. Children ages 3 and 4 free with a ticked adult. Children ages 6 and under must ride/share a tube with an adult.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort Tube Run
Mars Hill, N.C | skiwolfridgenc.com/tube_run
One-hour session: $15 per person
Two-hour session: $25 per person
Children 5 and under ride free with paying adult