Snow tubing is quickly becoming a popular winter sport for families, and it’s easy to see why! Tubing offers the same snowy thrills as skiing and snowboarding, but without the need for lessons or expensive equipment. Simply grab your tube, plop down in it (running start optional) and soar through the snow!
On the next snowy day, head to one of these tubing parks for a day of thrill-seeking fun. Keep it close to home and cruise down small slopes in Chicagoland or go on a winter sports getaway and slide down steep hills at incredible tubing parks.
Note: Since winter sports are weather-dependent, it’s best to call ahead to confirm whether the park is operating that day.
Little ones not ready for a massive tubing hill? Check out these great sledding hills in Chicagoland.
Kid-Friendly Snow Tubing Near Chicagoland
Villa Olivia
- Address: 1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett
Villa Olivia is a smaller park that’s not far from home. Kids 6 years and older and at least 42 inches tall can cruise down the tubing hill solo. Kiddos ages 4-5 can share a tube with a parent or guardian. Your ticket includes two hours of tubing and the snow tube rental. Skiing and snowboarding rentals are also available.
Snow tubing is one of the most popular activities and tickets often sell out each day. Reserve your spot by purchasing tickets ahead of time online.
Blackwell Forest Preserve
- Address: East of Winfield and Butterfield roads, Warrenville
Note: The snow tubing hill is closed for the 2024-2025 season.
It may not have all the bells and whistles of a winter sports resort — like a lift to the top of the hill — but Blackwell Forest Preserve is an affordable local spot for snow tubing. Slide down the 800-foot-tall Mount Hoy on weekends and school holidays. Sorry, only rental tubes are allowed; no personal tubes.
Cascade Mountain
- Address: W10441 Cascade Mountain Road, Portage, Wisconsin
Head north to Cascade Mountain to slide down a 900-foot-long snow chute, then grab a lift back to the top and do it all over again! This winter sports resort also offers children’s group lessons in skiing and snowboarding, as well as a season-long junior racing program. Be sure to pre-purchase your tickets!
Sunburst Winter Sports Park
- Address: 8355 Prospect Drive, Kewaskum, Wisconsin
Boasting more than 40 tubing lanes and two conveyors to take tubers to the top, Sunburst Winter Sports holds the record for the world’s largest tubing park! The snow tubing hill has more than 45 chutes and a “magic carpet” style lift. In addition to tubing, there are ski trails and snowboard runs for all skill levels.
Snowstar Winter Sports Park
- Address: 9500 126th St. West, Andalusia
Tubing down a massive hill is just the beginning of all the fun that families can have at Snowstar Winter Sports Park. When you need a break from your two hours of tubing, you can warm up in the heated lodge with a cup of hot chocolate. Make your outing a little sweeter by grabbing s’mores kits for everyone and end the day by toasting marshmallows around a campfire.
Timber Ridge Ski Area
- Address: 07500 231/2 St., Gobles, Michigan
Race through the scenic, snowy beauty of Pure Michigan on a snow tube! There are nine tubing lanes at Timber Ridge Ski Area, southwest Michigan’s oldest and largest ski area. The park also offers skiing and snowboarding.
Wilmot Mountain
- Address: 11931 Fox River Road, Wilmot, Wisconsin
One of the Midwest’s premier winter destinations for snow sport activities, Wilmot Mountain boasts 22 lanes of tubing. It also has 25 skiing and snowboarding trails, and a dedicated ski and snowboard school for kids. After you’ve soared down a 1,000-foot-long tubing lane, a conveyor lift will bring you back to the top for more fun. When you need a break to warm up, stop by the tubing lodge for a snack or hot beverage.
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