With the cold weather incoming for Christmas, we got a good taste of winter air here in Nashville. While we do not have many winter sporting activities here in middle Tennessee, there are plenty of areas within a day’s drive of Nashville that you and your family can enjoy! Take a peek at some of the places you can have some fun with your family while snow tubing.
Snow Tubing Within a Day’s Drive From Nashville
Ober Mountain- Gatlinburg
About 4 hours to the east, you will find Ober Gatlinburg, nestled in the Smoky Mountains. This area is a popular tourist destination for Tennesseans given the location. You can board the aerial-tram in downtown Gatlinburg to ride up, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy once you arrive. Snow tubing is available beginning in November, and sessions are 90 minutes long. They also offer a ski mountain coaster, ice skating, ice bumper cars, a scenic chairlift, a wildlife encounter, and a carousel. What a fun adventure for a family and for all ages!
Pigeon Forge Snow
Hit the slopes year round at America’s first indoor snow park and bring the whole family for one-of-a-kind snow tubing action! Hot or cold, rain or shine, Pigeon Forge Snow stays open year round. And believe it or not, it’s always 60-70 degrees inside, so you won’t even need to bring your parka! They have a whole hillside of snow tubing hills – plus a huge Snow Play area. Everyone can race down the slopes, build snowmen and snow forts, and have all kinds of wintry excitement – even in the middle of July! The snow is made from 100% pure water, with no additives of any kind. No reservations are needed. This snowy adventure is a perfect choice for families and kids of all ages. You’ll never pay an entrance fee, and parents can watch kids tube for free!
Sugar Mountain Resort- Sugar Mountain, NC
Located just over the Tennessee/North Carolina border, you will find Sugar Mountain. This resort has been running for over 50 years! The 700 ft long tubing lanes are serviced by a Magic Carpet lift. Snowmaking, lights for night tubing and regularly groomed lanes complete the facility. Sessions are just under two hours long and run from 10:00am until 10:00pm. They also have snowshoeing and ice skating available. Check out their 2022-23 season brochure here for up-to-date info!
Snowshoe Mountain Resort- Snowshoe, WV
This one is a bit of a drive- around 9 hours from Nashville, but worth it! Snowshoe has over 60 ski trails, 40 bike trails, snowmobiling, and tubing. Their winter season runs from November 23 to March 26. Experience the thrills and excitement of our 6-story, 8 lane tubing hill at Silver Creek for yourself. And if you’re looking for extra excitement, head to the tubing hill at nighttime to check out our Galactic Tubing sessions. There are beautiful onsite accommodations that include dining, shopping and a spa (for those members of your party who may enjoy the snow fun). The resort truly is breathtaking and worth the trip!
Beech Mountain Ski Resort- Beech Mountain, NC
Another North Carolina resort, not far from the Tennessee state line, resulting in about a 5.5 hour drive. Tubing is available through March. The resort also has it’s very own brewing company, so you can enjoy a nice, fresh brew after hitting the slopes. There are multiple lodging choices close to the slopes. View the current travel brochure here for easy access details.
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing- Newland, NC
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing is located just north of the city of Morganton and south of Boone, North Carolina and about 5 hours from Nashville. Their 400 ft long slopes are steep and fast, allowing guests to squeeze in more runs so you can get the most out of your snow tubing experience. They even have a viewing area so you can watch the fun while you’re taking a break. Both areas, and other nearby towns, have plenty of dining and shopping options for you to enjoy before or after your time on the slopes.
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park- Hendersonville, NC
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park is located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. This is around a 5 hour drive. With over 500 feet of snowy, steep fun and excitement, people of all ages will have a blast. Bring your family and friends and get ready to make memories that will last. Need a quick break, grab a snack, or warm up? Sit by the fire in their lodge and sip on hot chocolate. Their food truck and lodge have snacks to fuel you up for your next spin down the mountain!
Sapphire Valley- Cashiers, NC
Cashiers is about a 5 hour drive from Nashville. This resort is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They have a zip-line and tubing available. Frozen Falls Tube Park has a 500 run with a 60-foot vertical drop- talk about an adventure! There are plenty of lodging choices from cabins to hotels nearby.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort- Mars Hill, NC
Located a few miles off Interstate 26, this is one the most accessible resorts, about 5 hours away. Better than traditional sledding, snow tubing is great fun for the whole family. Slide down the run then take a “magic carpet” lift back to the top to repeat the fun. The Tube Run also features snow-making capability and a lighted hill for nighttime fun. Featuring one big slope 60 feet wide at the top, 100 feet wide at the bottom, and 350 feet long of sliding fun! In case you get hungry while having fun, you can have snack and drink options available. Nothing better than a cup of hot cocoa to warm up with. Adventure abounds in the area from skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, caving, hiking. Find your winter adventure at The Wolf!
Side note- It is also only a 30 minute drive from Asheville, so a nice place to visit on your drive home.
Cataloochee Ski Area- Maggie Valley, NC
Cataloochee is about a 5 hour drive from Nashville. Tube World, located in Maggie Valley across from Ghost Town in the Sky, is the home of great snow tubing fun each winter! Their groomed slope is made for riding specially designed inner tubes. You’ll ride the moving carpet lift to the top of the hill, then tube your way down the snow-covered run. For all information pertaining to Tube World, visit the FAQ page to learn more. The season runs from early November to late March. There are a number of options for lodging in nearby Maggie Valley
Perfect North Slopes- Lawrenceburg, IN
Located up I-65, near Cincinnati, you will find Perfect North Slopes. Come enjoy one of the largest tubing areas in the country. They have offered tubing for 19 years, and it is a perfect family activity. Experience the thrill of sliding down a snowy 1200′ long run and then effortlessly riding one of two Magic Carpet conveyor lifts back to the top…no hiking uphill here! You don’t need any experience or special equipment. Just hop in the tube they provide and enjoy the ride. Goggles, hats and gloves are available for purchase. They have snow boots, insulated ski pants and helmets for rent. Come have some fun on the snow!
Winterplace Ski Resort-Flat Top, WV
Winterplace Ski Resort is a ski resort located in Flat Top, West Virginia on Raleigh County’s Flat Top Mountain. The southernmost ski resort in West Virginia, Winterplace is a popular attraction due to its proximity to Interstate 77 and is only about 6 hours from Nashville. The largest snow tubing Park in West Virginia with 2 Super tubing carpet lifts and up to 14 lanes of cool fun- no special equipment needed. Hotels and lodging available.
No matter where you choose to take your family for your next winter adventure, make sure to plan ahead of time, so you have adequate lodging, tickets in advance, and the equipment you will need. You can rent equipment if you do not have your own, but as a planner myself, I highly suggest having all of that done before hitting the road. Also, you can make dining reservations in advance as well. Some of the resorts also offer childcare if you have smaller children in your party that cannot participate. Enjoy!
Don’t miss out on ski resorts within a driving distance from Nashville!
