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Looking for Snow Tubing and Sledding areas near you? Here are a list of some of our favorites in Washington State!

10 Top Areas for Sledding and Snow Tubing in Washington

Are you someone who loves winter & all of the activities in the snow? Spring & summer are definitely my favorite seasons in the Northwest, but I love to try out all the fun snow sports every winter with my family. We are so fortunate here in the western parts of the Northwest to be so close to the mountains, yet thankfully we have mainly mild temperatures in most locations. So, we don’t have to deal with driving in the snow unless we want to, for the most part.

For my family, we see the snow-capped mountains in the winter and dream of playing in the snow, so we look for new places in the mountains to visit & check out. For most areas of Puget Sound, we’re just a few hours, at most, away from fun in the snow. But it can be challenging to know where to go.

We always get so many questions from readers & friends asking about the best places to go for snow play, so we put together this resource of the 10 best sledding & tubing areas in Washington.

Here are the 15+ Places to Go Sledding & Snow Tubing in Oregon too!

Here are a few tips to know before you go Snow Tubing & Sledding:

• Make sure to check out all of the information about your location before you leave home as some locations have restrictions on the types of sleds used, snow park passes or other passes required (which you may be able to get in your town before you go or on your way) and whether they are currently open (enough snowpack, etc). You may not be able to purchase passes at the location, so be prepared ahead of time with knowing what passes you will need.
• Always have a backup plan in case it’s too busy & full (as some locations will close access if they are too busy like Mount Rainier, Hyak, etc).
• Try to avoid holidays or beautiful sunny days if you want fewer crowds – these are going to be the busiest snow play days of the year. Of course, it’s a beautiful time to go if it’s a “bluebird” day in the mountains, but you may not be able to get into your location unless you get there really early – or really late in the day. Be prepared for traffic leaving the mountains too if it’s a holiday weekend or a beautiful day.
• Always be prepared with traction tires and/or chains (many of the locations could change at any time as far as requiring traction tires/chains) so I suggest always being prepared for the possibility. If you purchase chains at Les Schwab, you can return them at the end of the season if they are not used. Better to have them in your trunk than not be prepared
• Always be prepared with emergency essentials in your car in case of issues of getting stuck in the snow (tow rope, cat litter for help in getting out of icy situations, extra clothes & warm blankets, extra food/water, etc)

Make sure to check out these posts for more winter fun around the Northwest:

Sledding at Mount Rainier

Snowshoeing at Mt Rainier

Tubing 

2024 to 2025 Season Update – We reviewed all of these sledding and snow tubing areas near us during prior years. This info is subject to change at any time, so you will definitely want to be sure to call and confirm they will be open for your specific visit dates.

1. Summit at Snoqualmie

Photo Credit: Thanks to my friend Renae for this cool photo showing nighttime tubing

If you’re looking for the closest tubing to the Seattle area, the Summit at Snoqualmie is your best bet as it’s less than an hour in no traffic.  They are also the largest tubing area around with over 20 lanes and they have a covered magic carpet to take you back up the hill, so no trudging up the hill when you’re tired after multiple runs. The tubing hill is 500 ft long & 40 ft vertical. This location is pricier than other locations, but they do have the largest number of runs around the area, so you might have a better shot of getting in more runs than other locations on beautiful winter days.

They do offer several night sessions as well, which is always a blast to go tubing with all the lights lit up. I’ve tried this in Oregon at the Ski Bowl location and we had a lot of fun. Great activity for teens or for a couple’s date to add a little more adventure at night! Prices are also cheaper at night versus the popular daytime slots.

They do suggest that you purchase your tickets online as they can’t guarantee the availability of spots for walk-ups. This is a rare bonus to be able to purchase your tickets ahead of time, so I’d suggest this for days that may be quite busy. In talking with a friend who went over Christmas break, even with busier crowds, the main times they experienced longer waits was riding the covered magic carpet to get up to the top of the hill (she had to wait 10-15 minutes in line at times).

Find the best rates for Snoqualmie area hotels, in case you want to make it an overnight stay.

Details:

• Open Friday-Sunday and Holidays during the winter season (Holidays include December 17-January 1, January 16, & February 20, 22, & 23)
• Your ticket includes access to the tubing hill & one snow tube for that session
• Each session is two hours long
• Prices are $45-$50 for adults & $19 for kids under 44″. If you are a Summit pass holder, you can go tubing for $22.50- $25 (tickets must be purchased online ahead of time)
• You will have the magic carpet to move you up the hill to start a new run
• Reserve your tickets online to reserve your spot (they do say that they can sell out, so be prepared by purchasing your tickets ahead of time)
• They suggest arriving 45 minutes in advance to get signed up, sign waivers & be ready to go
• Only their snow tubes can be used on this hill
• If you plan to just watch but not tube, you can purchase a viewing pass for $5
• Kids must ride with their parents on the tube from ages 3-5 or under 42″

2. White Pass –

For those in the South Sound or central WA, the White Pass Ski Resort offers a small tubing hill (only one run). We have been to this tubing hill several times as it’s a fun run & more affordable than other locations. It also rarely gets crowded (although it did recently sell out over Christmas break when we were there, so holidays & beautiful winter days could get much busier). They also have a nice ski lodge where you can warm up with hot cocoa or food, as well as have access to the bathrooms.

This option is more affordable for tubing as they do give you the option of bringing your own tubes, which saves on tickets for the tubing session. {Only tubes or soft sliding devices are permitted – sleds, toboggans or any device with wood, metal or plastic edges is not allowed}. One idea is to head to Les Schwab to purchase their big inner tubes & then you can use these each time, saving money in the long run if you reuse the tubes.

Details:

• Tubing is open on weekends & holidays (check their website for current information)
• Sessions run two hours long with only daytime sessions
• For those who are renting tubes, the cost is $20/session for adults & $15/session for kids. If you bring your own tube, the cost drops to $15/session for adults & $10/session for kids
• There is no magic carpet or lift to bring you up the hill, so be prepared to get some exercise walking up the big hill (little ones may need to be dragged in the tube)
• Park near Parking Lot C as the tubing hill is a bit behind this parking lot
• I’d recommend getting there early to purchase your tickets as you cannot pre-purchase tickets for the tubing sessions

3. Suncadia Resort Snow Tubing Hill

If you’re looking for a smaller location, continue on past Snoqualmie Pass and head to the Suncadia Resort in Roslyn/Cle Elum area for snow play, about an hour and a half from Seattle. This is a large resort, with vacation homes as well on property, but the tubing hill is open to anyone. They are open on weekends in January & February as well as holidays like Christmas and Winter break (weather dependent, so it is always best to call ahead). For this location, they also offer a rope tow return, which is nice especially when you have young kids who aren’t able to trudge back up the hill.

We visited during previous Winter seasons and the kids had a great time on this hill. It is a smaller location than some (they had six runs you could ride on), and we were able to easily get into a morning session. The later sessions were all at capacity, so you will want to reserve a spot when you check in (if you are staying at resort) or call ahead if you plan to drive up for the day. Plus, they also offer ice skating near the main lodge, as well as snowshoeing & cross-country skiing with groomed trails, if you want to try some additional winter sports while you’re there. I’ve heard there are some sledding hills around the grounds as well.

The tubing hill is close to the Swiftwaters Cellars Winery & Restaurant, which is an amazing restaurant, so I highly recommend grabbing lunch or dinner there while you’re out there. Stay for the weekend for winter fun all weekend long – it’s an amazing resort to visit – check out our review of what to do at Suncadia in the Winter for more ideas on what you will find if you visit, in addition to the tubing hill.

Find the best rates for the Suncadia Resort, in case you want to make it an overnight stay.

Details:

• Open weekends through January & February (& also during holiday times, so make sure to check their website or call their location as this will be weather dependent) Currently, the website says it is closed, so that may be due to not enough snow
• $20 per session, per rider
• Snow tube is included with the session purchase (no private sleds allowed).
• 2 hour long sessions (Daytime only)
• There is a rope tow to return you to the top of the hill
• Tubing hill is weather dependent, so make sure to call ahead to see if it’s open

4. Leavenworth Tubing Hill

Many folks know about the sledding hill right in the heart of Leavenworth in the city park. But did you know they also have a tubing hill at the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club just outside of town? It is a 100 ft hill and they also have a rope tow that will pull you to the top of the tubing hill. However, make sure to note that there is a limit to the number of runs you can do for the price – $34 for 6 runs (It’s not based on a time-frame like other tubing locations). There is a Ski Hill Lodge where you can warm up with hot cocoa & snacks, too.

Leavenworth is like a storybook village any time of year, but it’s a beautiful winter wonderland during the winter season. The town’s Christmas lights stay on thru mid-February, so you can head up to Leavenworth for the day or a weekend trip & enjoy the beautiful lights in the evening (without all the crowds during the Christmas Lighting Festival).

Find the best rates for Hotels in Leavenworth, in case you want to make it an overnight stay.

Details:

• The cost is $34/person (same price for everyone) – there are not specific times, but it says you are limited to 6 runs on the day you purchase the ticket.
• There is a discount for active duty military – contact them for details (no group or family discounts though)
• Only the snow tubes that are provided are allowed in the tubing area
• They do not take reservations & you cannot pre-purchase your tickets – walk-up only
• I do not see the days they are open listed, so call the location to confirm
• There is a rope tow to bring you back to the top of the hill

5. Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park – 

For those of you who live over on the peninsula, a closer option for you may be Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park (this vista is 45 minutes from Port Angeles, although it may take longer dependent on weather/road conditions in the winter. There is a small tubing hill up at the Hurricane Ridge Ski area for you to enjoy. The benefit to heading up to Hurricane Ridge is that not only will you get some fun snow tubing time in, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains from the best viewing spot in the Olympics!

We visited Hurricane Ridge a few years back in February, but it was that weird winter when there was very little snow, so there was not enough snow for the tubing area. However, we had brought our snowshoes so headed out on a snowshoe hike & were treated to 360 degree views when we headed to the top of Hurricane Hill (with views of the Olympics to the south & Vancouver Is, the San Juan Islands & the Straits of Juan de Fuca to the north). Hurricane Ridge is a peaceful area to head out with your snowshoes or cross-country skis for some winter exercise. Check out the website for guided snowshoe treks during the winter, too.

Find the best rates for the Hurricane Ridge area, in case you want to make it an overnight stay.

Details:

• The tubing hill is at the small Hurricane Ridge Ski area, down the road from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor’s Center.
• Tubing sessions are sold per run at $24 for 10 runs.
• Snow tubes are provided, no outside tubes or sleds allowed.
• First-come, first-serve basis – you will be given a time to start your tubing session when you purchase your tickets & you can purchase as many sessions as you want
• Tubing hill is weather dependent – make sure to check the National Park website to make sure it is open before you head up there as they need to have enough snow to open it
• Bring chains & know how to use them – chains are required to drive up to Hurricane Ridge as cars (even 4WD) have been unable to navigate the roads without chains

If you’re looking for an inexpensive option, kids 8 & under can go sledding for free in the small Children’s Snowplay area west of the Hurricane Ridge visitor center & parking lot. You will need to bring your own tube or sled (no sleds with runners allowed). However, if your child is age 9 or older, sledding is only allowed at the Tubing Park within the Ski area (mentioned above).

6. Echo Valley – Lake Chelan –

If you are looking for an affordable & very family-oriented tubing location, Echo Valley Ski Resort in Lake Chelan fits the bill! This is a very small, volunteer, non-profit ski resort located between Chelan and Manson. They have just 3 rope tows & a poma lift for the ski resort and the tubing hill has 4 runs. This resort has been in business for 60 years – in fact, I went skiing here as a kid and we took our girls when they were just preschool/early elementary age to the tubing hill & they loved it. We loved the fact that it is quieter than a lot of other locations and primarily, families who are at the resort.

It is a longer drive for those of us in Western Washington or Western Oregon, but I’d encourage you to check out Lake Chelan as a fun place to vacation during the winter.  Lake Chelan is a wonderful option to consider as not only is it gorgeous with the beautiful views of the lake & (often) snow-covered shores, but it is very family-friendly too. My family had a timeshare at Lake Chelan when I was a kid, so I’ve had the opportunity to go during all the seasons & we loved visiting during the winter because of the different festivals they offer, as well as the options for snow play with less crowds.

Find the best rates for the Lake Chelan area, in case you want to make it an overnight stay.

Details about Tubing:

• Prices are full day (10am – 4pm) – $20 – Kids 5 years & younger will ski & tube for free too (it looks like they no longer offer a half-day or family rate for tubing)
• If you want to ski, you can pay $40 for a full day of skiing & tubing, which is an amazing deal! It’s a great place for kids to learn to ski or practice because it’s so kid-friendly with the size of the runs & no chair lifts.
• Tubes are provided for you to use
• There is no lift to get you back up the hill, so be prepared to walk up the hill for your next tubing run
• Make sure to check the website or Facebook page to check conditions to make sure they are open
• They do have a lodge with fireplace & food in the lodge

Sledding:

7. Hyak Snow Park

If you’re looking for a fairly affordable destination close to the Puget Sound, Hyak Sno Park is definitely one of your best options. Located at Snoqualmie Pass, it’s less than an hour away from the Seattle area and just right off I-90. The reason it is more affordable is that you are not paying per person to sled here, but you do have to pay for the WA State Parks Discover Pass and a Sno-Park pass (you can get a daily pass or a yearly pass) and you can stay as long as you want. So, this is a good option for big families if you do not want to pay the per person rate for tubing hills (which have limited timeframes, too)

The mountain views are gorgeous from this spot & the sledding hill is perfect for families, especially preschool & elementary age kids. They do have several groomed sledding runs and you do have to walk back up the hill to access the runs, so it’s a good way to get some exercise in. Plus, there are heated bathrooms at the Sno-Park, so that’s always a bonus & important with kids.

This Sno Park is run by the Washington State Parks system and it’s a sno-park offering a sledding hill, as well as cross-country skiing & snowshoeing. This means that the sno park does get busy & if the parking lot is full, then you will not be able to access the sledding hill. So keep that in mind & have a backup plan just in case it’s too full.

We visited here a year or so ago & had a blast sledding with friends. The day we went there were a fairly low number of people, so we only had to wait our turn for about 5 minutes at a time, but the sledding hill was the perfect size for my girls (elementary age). I have heard it can get quite crowded on holiday weekends or gorgeous winter days, so just keep that in mind & get there early or later in the day.

Details:

• Bring your own sled (no sleds with metal runners or wood sleds)
• Cost: Daily Sno-Park Permit ($25)  OR a Seasonal Sno Park Permit plus Special Groomed Trails Permit sticker. You should be able to purchase your passes on site (either at the Park Ranger booth or at an electronic kiosk -confirm before you go, though)
• They are open every day from 8am – 4:15 – 4:30pm (however, you will want to listen to the recorded message on their website to make sure the sledding hill is open on the day you plan on going)
• Bring your own food/drinks (there is no lodge on site here as this is a sno-park, so bring snacks/lunch/hot cocoa, etc as you will get cold & it’s nice to have some food & hot beverages to warm you up after a busy day of sledding.

8. Mount Rainier – Paradise Visitor Center

Update for 2024/2025: Unfortunately the Mt Rainier sledding area will not be opening this year due to staffing issues

One of the most picturesque spots to go sledding in Washington is the Paradise Snow Play area in Mount Rainier National Park. On clear days, you’ll have an amazing view standing on the mountain, as well as views of the Tatoosh mountain range.

This is also one of the more affordable options for sledding as well, as you are paying an admission rate for your vehicle rather than paying an individual rate. Admission is now $30 for the day to visit Mount Rainier National Park, which is significantly cheaper than paying $20+/person for tubing hills.

It is important to get to Mount Rainier early in the day if it’s a beautiful day as the sledding area will fill up very fast! We went to go sledding one year on a gorgeous winter day & it was so crowded up at Paradise, that all the parking lots were full, so they would not let anyone into the park past Longmire. So you will need to try to get there close to the opening of the park (or go later in the day) if you want to get a spot.

If it is a beautiful day or a holiday weekend, be prepared for the crowds. There are only 2-3 sledding runs at Paradise, so it can get quite crowded with long wait times for the sledding runs. You will also need to walk back up the hill to go sledding again.

In the wintertime, only the Jackson Visitor Center is open up at Paradise. The Paradise Inn is not open in the winter, so just be aware that the only place to eat is in the Jackson Visitor Center cafe, where you can get food for lunch, snacks & warm drinks. You can also bring food with you. The National Park Inn is also open for dining down at Longmire, as well as a few restaurants outside of the park gates and into Ashford. There are not a lot of places to eat, though, in the winter, so we just like to be prepared with lunch as well as snacks and drinks for after sledding, too.

There is no set date on when the Paradise sledding area typically opens, but most years, it tends to open in early January. So check their website to keep up to date on the status of the snow play area (there needs to be a minimum snowpack before they will allow sledding & snow play due to the fragile meadows below).

Details:

• There is no cost for sledding, but you will need to pay admission to Mount Rainier National Park (which is now $30/day)
• You need to bring your own sleds & they must be soft sleds only (flexible sleds, inner tubes & plastic sleds). No hard toboggans or runner sleds with metal are allowed.
• Bring chains – chains are required in every vehicle going up to Paradise. If you do not own chains, you can rent them for the day from Whittaker’s Mountaineering store in Ashford (the town right before you head into Mt Rainier)
• Must exit the Paradise parking area by 4:30 as the park gates close right at 5 pm at Longmire & it will take that long to get down the road from Paradise to Longmire. They will close the sledding area at 4 pm, so this gives you a little time to get changed & ready to go before you head down the mountain for your drive back home.
• Bring food & drinks with you or head to the Jackson Visitor Center for heated bathrooms and a chance to get warm with some hot cocoa or grab some snacks.

9. Lake Wenatchee Sledding Hill:

Lake Wenatchee is about 30 minutes north of Leavenworth and the ideal place to head for a quieter snow play experience. Since it’s closer to Stevens Pass, it does get even more snow than Leavenworth, if Leavenworth is lower on snow levels for snow play. We visited Lake Wenatchee this summer, but have never been in the winter. However, I would think that Lake Wenatchee would be quieter than the Leavenworth sledding hills if you are looking for fewer crowds.

The views at Lake Wenatchee are breathtaking – the mountains surround the Lake on almost all sides and it’s just so serene & peaceful out that way. Stop by the Old Mill Cafe in Plain for a bite to eat before or after your sledding trip with sandwiches, BBQ, burgers & more. And make sure to make a stop at the Plain Hardware store too before you head out of town – it’s not just a hardware store, but a cute little gift shop too!

There are 2 areas at Lake Wenatchee State Park & it is South Park which offers the sledding hill and a designated snow play area (no tubing/sledding or snow play in the North Park). There are also heated restrooms at the park.   You will need a Sno-Park permit as well as a WA State Parks Discover Pass (although it says that you only need a Discover Pass if you have a Day Sno Park Permit (so that seems to imply that yearly sno-park passes do not need the Discover Pass).

The South Park offers a tubing hill, designated snow play area, and day-use area open for camping (additional fees may apply–see Lake Wenatchee State Park web page. There is no tubing or snow play area in the North. You can also try cross-country skiing & snowshoeing while you’re there.  This is a fairly large state park, so it seems that you should be able to purchase your passes there at the park, but I would call & confirm before you leave as I’m not seeing that info on the website.

Details:

• Bring your own sled or tube
• You will need a (I think it is either the Groomed Trails permit or a Discover Pass). For a 1 Day Sno Park permit, a Discover Pass will also need to be displayed.
• The park is open daily and you can access the park from 8 am – dusk.

10. Leavenworth:

Front Street Park in Town:

If you are staying in Leavenworth for the weekend or just heading there for the day during the winter, make sure to bring some sleds with you. One of the most popular activities for kids in Leavenworth during the winter is to take turns sledding down the hill right in the middle of town in Front Street Park.

Depending on the time you visit, this park could get quite crowded due to festivals most weekends that bring in quite a few people. And if they haven’t had much fresh snow, this can also get quite icy too. But it’s always fun to sled down the hill while checking out the beautiful Bavarian architecture and even more fun as the Christmas lights come on in the evening (Christmas lights stay on through mid-February). Just be aware that the park/sledding hill is right next to Highway 2 coming through town, so watch your little ones carefully at the top of the park/sledding hill.

Leavenworth Winter Sports Club:

The Leavenworth Ski Park does include sledding in addition to tubing. This is only in a designated area of the golf course, but this is a nice option to have to add sledding to your fun after you have finished your tubing runs.

It is $9/person to go sledding in the designated area; a family of 4 is $22 (& $9 for each additional person). You will need to bring your own sleds to this sledding area.

More Options & Resources for Sledding & Tubing Fun:

If you are looking for more ideas of where to go for sledding or tubing, here are some more resources you can check out (but we have not confirmed these ourselves, so make sure to do your research on these locations & always have a backup plan if it’s not an area that will work)

Northern WA:

5 Sledding Spots in Whatcom County

Washington Sno Parks with Sledding or Tubing:

Here are a few more options for those of you in the southern or eastern parts of Washington. There is limited information on these locations, but call the numbers for the sno parks to find out more details to see if it’s a good fit for your family

Oldman Pass – this is in the Mount Adams Ranger District area near Carson. It says there is a designated snow play area & tubing hill  (which most likely means sledding & to bring your own sleds)

Rose Springs Snow Park – This is in the Pomeroy Ranger District in Eastern WA. There is a designated snow play area & tubing/sledding hill

Fields Springs State Park – this is in Asotin County (eastern WA).  There is a designated snow play area & tubing/sledding hill.

Let us know your favorite tubing or sledding spot in Washington – we’d love to add to our list!