Forget Skiing, Here Are the Best Snow Tubing Places in Wisconsin

Winter is the worst.  Shoveling, plowing, shivering, and layering up is just too much. While I dream of moving to a warmer place, my budget and family has me stuck here.

Gonna try to make the best of it though! Skiing? Nah, not my thing. Being 45 and starting on the bunny hill is just a bit embarrassing. My knees and breath give out by the second run and all I want is a hot toddy in the lodge

Snow Tubing Is The Ultimate Thrill Ride

If you have age or limb limitations as described above, perhaps tubing is what you need to actually enjoy wintertime.

Snow tubing is super fun and can be done several different ways.  You can get on an innertube and slide down a hill (the higher the slope, the more the fun). Or you can get behind a snowmobile and get pulled across a cornfield.

What To Wear While Tubing

Tubing is no different than any other winter activity. You'll want to make sure you're dressed in waterproof, warm, and comfortable layers, including a hat, gloves, and boots. Jeans might seem like a good idea if you're going for a couple of runs after a 12-pack or so, but they'll quickly become cold and wet. Sweatpants are a no-go too. They might be comfy for lounging on the couch, but they're not ideal for snow tubing.

Safety While Tubing

Before you hit the slopes, there are a few things you need to know. The biggest thing is to make sure there are no trees or anything that you would Sonny Bono yourself on.

Proper positioning is key.  Many people sit straight up on their butts and hold the handles tight.  I suggest the head-first, belly-down approach.  This allows you to use your feet as rudders and if needed, brakes.

Plus, it ups the thrill of the experience quite a bit.

Snow Tubes Vs Sleds

While both have their pros and cons, I personally think snow tubes are a bit safer because they're wider and have more surface area, making them more stable. They've got a built in buffer incase you hit rocks or run over a stick. Plus, if you have a portable air compressor, it makes traveling way better than with sleds.

Where to Find Snow Tubing

• Sunburst in Kewaskum, WI

40+ chutes. 90-foot drop. Speeds up to 30mph. Head out to Sunburst and experience the thrill of the World’s Largest Tubing Hill!

• The Rock Snow Park in Franklin WI

They have 19 tubing lanes and GLOW Tubes for Night time tubing!

• Wilmot Mountain in Wilmot, WI

Wilmot Mountain is a top snow tubing resort near Madison and Milwaukee.

• Nordic Mountain in Wild Rose, Wi

Slide down one their our many chutes at speeds approaching 40 mph!

• Sylvan Hill Park in Wausau, WI

The hill offers SIX great rides down and two wire tows to pull you back up the hill.

Then again, the best way to find some good hills to tube on would be to ask your kids.  They've been seeking out this type of experience since the walk home from school in the fall.