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Tubing at Snoqualmie - Downhill thrills |
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Written by Kathleen F. Miller
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Feb 01, 2006 |
Winter fun for a crowd at the Summit Tubing Area
The
holidays have passed and you've endured weeks of Seattle's cold, gray,
wet winter. Your children have cabin fever and you'd like to make some
magical memories in the snow before spring arrives. Time to grab your
whole family and head up to the Summit at Snoqualmie to hurtle down the
hills at the Summit Tubing Area.
My family and I have been
joining a group of friends at the Tubing Area (formerly the Snowflake
Tubing Center) for several years now. It's a great way for us to get
our children, ranging from toddlers to teens, to play together. Flying
down the hills on inner tubes also allows us all to scream our heads
off and lets the adults feel like kids again for a couple of hours.
We've learned over the years that a little planning makes the
experience much more enjoyable. We no longer drag home miserable wet,
cold children, as we bring a change of clothes -- including dry socks
-- for everyone. We dress warmly and in layers as if we were going
skiing (see sidebar). Packing a thermos with a hot beverage and a snack
is also a good idea as the kids turn into ravenous snow monsters on the
slopes. And we reserve in advance, as a group, to ensure our session
time and save a few bucks, too.
When you arrive, head to the ticket booth to get your group's tickets,
then make your way over to the tubing hills. (Now's the time to use the
restroom.) You'll get a ticket to hang on your coat zipper -- similar
to a lift ticket -- which Summit employees check as guests enter the
tubing area. Once you get to the hill, you're off! Grab an available
inner tube and zip down to the bottom.
You have a choice of two hills to play on: The larger hill boasts 10 to
12 groomed lanes, while a smaller hill offers four to six lanes. You
can take the surface tow back to the top once you've tubed down,
although many adults prefer the workout of hiking back up on their own
power.
The best way to visit the tubing center is as part of a group. If you
can gather 20 of your friends and their kids, you'll be able to reserve
a specific two-hour time at a discount of $2 per ticket. Once you get
your group together, go to the Summit's Web site to order.
If you want to visit with a group smaller than 20, you can buy
individual tickets at the tubing center for that day's sessions. You do
run the risk of sessions being sold out during popular times, however.
Since you don't want to be faced with a sell-out after getting the kids
pumped up to tube, tricking them out in snow clothes and making the
drive to the pass, make sure you arrive early for your chosen time. You
can also sometimes -- although not always -- purchase individual
tickets through the Web site, so log on before you head up.
While the Summit does not impose an age limit on kids using the tubing
hill, it recommends that children be older than 3 since younger ones
may find the hill inclines and tube speeds scary. Children under the
height of 42 inches may ride with another youth of the same size or
with an adult, which may be more appealing to timid kids.
Families with young children often prefer the first session of the day,
which runs from 9-11 a.m. on Fridays and weekends. You'll be the first
group out on the snow, it tends to be the least crowded session, and
you'll have time to eat lunch together afterward. Hot beverages and
snacks are available at the small cafe above the ticket booth. The
dining area is rather crowded, though, so it's best to plan lunch in
nearby North Bend, where many family friendly restaurants are available
(including Twede's Cafe, made famous by the "Twin Peaks" television
series).
For children under age 6, two hours is a long time to be in the cold
and they tire easily from all the fun. Consider heading back early even
if your session hasn't finished to avoid a tired-toddler meltdown in
the snow. If you leave while they're still having fun, you'll set the
stage for many more fabulous family outings at the tubing hill.
Sammamish-based writer Kathleen F. Miller contributes regularly to ParentMap.
If you go
Info: www.summit-at-snoqualmie.com
Where:
The Tubing Center is an easy one-hour drive from Seattle when I-90 is
clear. If there is snow or ice on I-90, consider bringing chains if you
don't have snow tires. To get to the Summit's Snowflake Tubing Center,
take I-90 eastbound to exit 53. Follow the signs from the off ramp to
Summit Central. The tubing area is located in the Southeast Central
Main Parking Lot. You'll see a sign that reads "Summit Tubing Area."
When:
The Tubing Center is open Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and
Sundays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. It's open midweek only on holidays and other
school closure days.
How much:
Tickets are $11-$14 for children and $13-$16 for adults, depending on
the session. Prices include tubes. Children 5 and under tube free,
although they don't receive a tube of their own and may ride with
another adult. Group tickets are $2 off.
Dress:
For a safe and comfortable experience, dress in layers (a snug-fitting
layer next to the skin to wick away moisture, a roomy insulating layer
and a shell and pants to protect against moisture and wind) and don't
forget the hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. For more tips on dressing
for snow play, visit www.winterfeelsgood.com.
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