Published by Christina. Last Updated on December 9, 2024.
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We've compiled a comprehensive list of the best places to go snow tubing in North Carolina's mountains, along with the amenities they provide and our thoughts.
If you weren’t aware, North Carolina is a fantastic place for snow tubing! Western North Carolina is a prime location for plenty of snow-related activities, including, of course, skiing but also snow tubing.
Based on our experiences, we think snow tubing is one of the most exciting things to do in the winter in North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking for NC winter fun with kids or by yourself, we guarantee snow tubing as the way to have a good time!
Plan your NC snow tubing adventures with these nearby rentals!
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best places to go snow tubing in North Carolina, the amenities they provide, and our tips.
Here’s how we’ve organized this guide for you:
- When to Go Snow Tubing
- Where Can You Go Snow Tubing in North Carolina?
- Important Tips (from Our Experiences)
- The Best Places for Snow Tubing in North Carolina (List)
- More Things to Do During Winter in NC (Related Travel Guides)
Whether youโre a new resident of this state, a frequent visitor, or a longtime local, weโre leaving no detail behind.
If you live in the area and are wondering, โWhat are the best places to go snow tubing in North Carolina near me?โ we know this guide will help you!
When Can You Go Snow Tubing in North Carolina?
Snow tubing in North Carolina typically begins in late November around Thanksgiving and lasts until the end of February, with some exceptions. If temperatures are too warm, snow tubing parks in Western North Carolina will close.
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Where to Go Snow Tubing in North Carolina?
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Our map of snow tubing parks in North Carolina was created with Google Maps.
You can go snow tubing in Western North Carolina, with many parks near Asheville and Boone. You can use them and the following mountain towns as your base for adventures:
- Banner Elk
- Blowing Rock
- Cashiers
- Maggie Valley
- Sapphire
- Waynesville
Along with the map we mentioned above, you can also plan your visit to these snow tubing places in North Carolina with the following maps:
Tips for Snow Tubing in North Carolina
- A typical NC snow tubing park has multiple lanes, which are accessed by a “magic carpet.” A magic carpet is a dry-surfaced automatic conveyor belt that transports you to the lanes from the bottom of the tubing hill.
- Pay attention when on the magic carpet, and be careful when hopping off. It’s easy to slip and fall.
- Snow tubing is relatively easy because you don’t need any prior experience.
- Most children can participate, given the snow tubing park’s or resort’s policy.
- Height and weight limits may apply at these snow tubing parks, so call ahead if you have any questions.
- The High Country (Boone and nearby places) and higher-elevation destinations near Asheville are notably cold in winter, more so than the rest of the state. That’s why we recommend dressing in layers from top to bottom.
- NC winter temperatures vary, and there can be unseasonably warmer periods. As a result, snow tubing parks in North Carolina’s mountains may be forced to close.
- Waterproof gloves, pants, and coats help with the cold! Boots are also good for walking around in the snow. These are especially useful when it comes to kids.
- If you are tired, be sure to take a break. Fatigue leads to most injuries.
- If youโre looking for a place to stay, check out our guides covering places to stay near Asheville and Boone Airbnbs! These unique rentals give us the privacy we need as a family but keep us close enough to the action to enjoy these ski resorts and beyond.
- For any questions regarding open hours, prices,
Read More: 18 Unique Luxury Resorts in North Carolina
The Best Places for Snow Tubing in North Carolina (List)
Here are the 11 best snow tubing places in North Carolina we’ll discuss in this guide:
- Snow Tubing in Boone and Nearby
- Beech Mountain Resort (Beech Mountain)
- Hawksnest Resort (Seven Devils)
- Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park (Newland)
- Sugar Mountain Resort (Sugar Mountain)
- Snow Tubing Near Asheville
- Black Bear Snow Tubing (Hendersonville)
- Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park (Hendersonville)
- Tube World (Maggie Valley)
- Sapphire Valley (Sapphire)
- Highlands Outpost (Scaly Mountain)
- Zip N Slip Snow Tubing Park (Mars Hill)
Let’s break down each place, starting with our favorite places to go snow tubing in North Carolina near Boone.
Snow Tubing in Boone North Carolina
Winter is one of our favorite seasons to explore the High Country, where you’ll find some of the best snow tubing in Western North Carolina.
While surrounding towns like Boone and Blowing Rock (don’t forget Banner Elk!) tend to be colder in the winter than the rest of the state, the mountain landscape is stunning when the snow falls.
If you’re looking for snow tubing in Boone, you’ll need to visit these neighboring towns.
- Banner Elk
- Beech Mountain
- Newland
- Sugar Mountain
- Seven Devils
Starting with Beech Mountain, here are the best places to go snow tubing in Boone’s surroundings.
Read More: Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster in Banner Elk (7 Important Tips Before You Go!)
Beech Mountain Resort
Address: 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
Phone Number: 800-438-2093
Official Website
Beech Mountain Resort (also home to the Land of Oz) is the state’s second-largest ski resort offering snow tubing. It stretches over 95 acres and has an elevation of 5,506, granting it the title of the highest-elevation snow tubing resort in North Carolina.
The park’s tubing area is 700 feet long. Beech Mountain is stricter with the guidelines on who can tube, requiring that all participants be 42″ or taller.
Beech Mountain is the only ski/tubing resort in NC with a brewery. Another of Beech Mountainโs cool features is a glass roundhouse known as the โ5,506โฒ Skybar,” which is accessible as you exit the chairlift.
Named after the park’s high elevation, guests can enjoy a complete bar, various snacks, and beautiful views.
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Hawksnest Resort (Seven Devils)
Address: 2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, NC
Phone Number: 828-963-6561
Official Website
North Carolina has the unique privilege of being home to the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast that doubles as a lengthy zip-line course!
Yep, Hawksnest Resort in Seven Devils (near Otter Falls) is the largest snow tubing park in North Carolina. Due to its size and selection of lanes, this is one of our favorite places to spend a weekend in winter!
Hawksnest has four dedicated tubing areas stretching over 30 lanes ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet. Just about any snow tubing experience imaginable is offered here.
Children 3 and older can snow tube with an adult. It’s open daily except Wednesday, and rates vary based on day and time.
In the off-season, the zip-line course is an attractive option for outdoor activities. It journeys over four miles and is open throughout the year.
After your snow tubing excursion, warm up at the indoor cafe and enjoy a hot beverage and light refreshments. Hawksnest Resort is a great place to snow tube in NC and is close to some other top attractions in Boone.
Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!)
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park (Newland)
Address: 9472 NC-181, Newland, NC
Phone Number: 828-733-4155
Official Website
Even if you’ve been snow tubing before, have you ever been at night? Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park is perfect for a sunset snow tubing ride as the sun cascades behind the mountains.
At Jonas Ridge, you can slide as much as your heart desires with the convenient conveyor belt up the hill and five lanes to choose from.
Jonas Ridge is a bit further away from the rest of the snow tubing parks in NC, but it’s still a great experience.
The park sits in Burke County, about 40 minutes from Morganton and 10 minutes from Linville Falls, which are great places to see when you’re not tubing.
Read More: 50+ Great Things to Do With Kids in Asheville (and Nearby!)
Sugar Mountain Resort
Address: 1009 Sugar Mountain Dr, Sugar Mountain, NC
Phone Number: 828-898-4521 or 800-Sugar-MT (784-2768)
Official Website
Sugar Mountain Resort boasts the title of the largest ski resort in NC, with 125 acres of snowy environment for skiing, tubing, and more. Sugar Mountain is the ultimate snow tubing getaway and offers many amenities.
The 700-foot lanes are serviced by a “Magic Carpet” transporting tubers to the top of the hills.
Sugar Mountain Resort is unique in that it also includes beautiful rentals for you to choose from if you’re interested in exploring the nearby area, or if you want to stick around for the famous Sugarfest!
Sugarfest is the resort’s annual festival in December, with fireworks, massive spreads of food and drink, and more.
Read More: 10+ Great Things to Do at Grandfather Mountain (and Nearby!)
Snow Tubing Near Asheville NC
Further west, there are also a few snow tubing parks near Asheville. Asheville might have warmer winter temperatures than other small towns in the NC mountains, but high-elevation destinations with snow still surround it!
So, if you’re looking for snow tubing in North Carolina near Asheville, these nearby towns have you covered:
- Hendersonville
- Maggie Valley
- Mars Hill
- Sapphire
- Scaly Mountain
Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive)
Snow Tubing in Hendersonville North Carolina
Hendersonville is one of our favorite places to visit, especially during snow tubing season. We’ve been coming here for years to explore downtown exploration, visit apple orchards, and get outside at DuPont State Recreational Forest and other beautiful places.
Thanks to the great businesses we’ll mention below, you can also enjoy snow tubing in Hendersonville.
Black Bear Snow Tubing
Address: 373 Kerr Rd, Hendersonville, NC
Phone Number: 828-685-1155
Official Website
Black Bear Snow Tubing is tucked away in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and is the perfect spot for a winter adventure, whether you’re a pro or a first-timer.
This family-owned business will help you make some incredible memories as you whoosh down the slopes.
If you’re not tubing, then there’s a heated area to keep you warm while the rest of your group stays outside. There’s also an on-location playground for the kiddos, in case you need to bring anyone who’s under 4 years old, which is too young to ride.
Read More: Hiking in Hendersonville (30+ Great Trails Within 1 Hour)
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
Address: 5865 Willow Rd, Hendersonville, NC
Phone Number: 828-696-0333
Official Website
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park in Hendersonville is the place for winter fun.
One thing we love about Moonshine Mountain is that they will stay open until 9 on most nights so you can zoom down the slopes under the starry sky. If you need a minute to recharge or are just there to watch, you can stay warm in the lodge.
The lodge and Moonshine Mountain’s on-site food truck will keep your belly full, too.
Read More: 17 Incredible Restaurants in Hendersonville and Nearby (+ Wine and Craft Beer!)
Snow Tubing in Maggie Valley North Carolina
We regularly visit Maggie Valley for access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Pisgah National Forest. During the warmer months, the Wheels Through Time Museum is one of our favorite places to visit in the area.
Annual events in town include motorcycle rallies, the Hillbilly Jam, and of course, winter skiing and tubing at Cataloochee Ski Area’s Tube World.
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Tube World
Address: 4721 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC
Phone Number: 828-926-0285 or 800-768-0285
Official Website
Cataloochee Ski Area is one of the two ski resorts within an hour of Asheville, along with Wolf Ridge in Mars Hill. Cataloochee’s Tube World is four miles away from the main skiing area, just across the street from Ghost Town in the Sky.
Reservations can be booked 14 days in advance for snow tubing here.
Cataloochee Ski Area is also located in one of our favorite areas in North Carolina. Maggie Valley is in a prime spot near some great winter hikes like Waterrock Knob, beautiful waterfalls like Soco Falls, and not far from Cherokee and Bryson City.
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Snow Tubing in Mars Hill North Carolina
With Wolf Ridge and Zip n Slip, there are some great places for snow tubing in Mars Hill, just north of downtown Asheville.
Zip N Slip Snow Tubing Park
Address: 10725 US-23, Mars Hill, NC
Phone Number: 828-689-8444
Official Website
Zip N Slip Snow Tubing Park is another great snow tubing park in Mars Hill, NC, giving you multiple options in the Madison County town. Whether you’re an experienced tuber or a newcomer, you’ll find fun at this park.
One thing we love about Zip N Slip is the variety of tubing lanes, designed to provide thrills for everyone. Depending on snow levels, you can choose from 8-10 lanes during your one- or two-hour session.
Zip N Slip offers daytime tubing or nighttime sessions, so you can also slide under the starry sky here.
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Snow Tubing in Sapphire North Carolina
Sapphire, NC, is a picturesque mountain town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The unincorporated community is full of lovely landscapes and hiking and fishing opportunities.
Sapphire Valley Resort is the most popular place during winter, filled with people like us skiing and snow tubing.
Sapphire Valley Resort
Address: 127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, NC 28774
Phone Number: 828-743-7663
Official Website
Sapphire Valley Frozen Falls Tube Park is the perfect quick trip from Asheville, but if you want to stay closer, try Sapphire, then Cashiers, and Brevard over in Transylvania County.
Snow tubing is the perfect family experience at Sapphire Valley, with a 500-foot run that drops vertically 60 feet. You can catch your breath after the drop while riding the magic carpet with your tube up to the top.
After the new year, Sapphire Valley is only open on the weekends. If you’re interested in tubing, book a week before your desired date.
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Bonus NC Snow Tubing Park (Scaly Mountain)
Like Sapphire, Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, is a charming unincorporated town near the southern border. However, Scaly Mountain is even further south, close to the Georgia border, and near Sky Valley, GA.
In this small town, one of the best places to go snow tubing in North Carolina awaits. Its name is Highlands Outpost.
Throughout the year, Highlands Outpost is a great place to enjoy the outdoors in Scaly Mountain. Popular activities include gem mining, fishing, and the Scaly Mountain Screamer Mountain Coaster.
It’s hard to top all that, but the Extreme Tubing Slide is a formidable challenger to the year-round fun at Highlands Outpost.
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Highlands Outpost
Address: 7420 Dillard Rd, Scaly Mountain, NC
Phone Number: 828-526-3737
Official Website
One unique thing about this snow tubing park is that you can slide down throughout the year. So, if you’re seeking snow tubing without snow, stop by Highlands Outpost in the summer and warmer months.
Conveniently located near Highlands and Cashiers, Highlands Outpost operates during the day, transforming into an enchanting nighttime tubing experience under the starry skies.
Read More: The Wonderful NC Waterfall Byway (+ 15 Awesome Stops!)
Who’s Ready for the Best Snow Tubing in North Carolina?
If you’ve never been, we recommend adding snow tubing in North Carolina’s mountains to your winter itinerary.
As you can see, there are several excellent options if you’re looking for an exciting snow tubing experience in North Carolina. Whether you’re a resident or visiting the state, these destinations offer fun for all ages.
We’d love to hear from you if you know any of these places (or not).
What are your favorite snow tubing resorts in North Carolina? Which one will you be visiting first?
Let us know in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share your snow tubing reviews in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group. Photos welcome.
More Things to Do During Winter in NC
Weโve featured these places for snow tubing in North Carolina within our massive NC Travel Guides collection. Here are a few that are focused on the winter season.