Over winter break, we were trying to find something for the kids to do, and since we hadn’t been tubing in a while, we decided to check out Hunter Mountain. You should check online first to make sure that there are tickets available, as some of the tubing times were full.
My husband purchased tickets online for a 5pm-7pm session. When he ordered the tickets, he received a message saying he would receive confirmation shortly, but a couple hours went by and he received nothing. He called customer service, which transferred him to reservations, but it went to voicemail. He called back and was told that it was fine if he didn’t get the confirmation e-mail. He eventually received a confirmation e-mail almost 48 hours later.
We prepared our snow gear and headed out. From the Capital Region, the drive is almost 1.5 hours. We left a little early to take into account any kind of parking issues or waiting in line. The drive went smoothly, although the route we took there led us through the Kaaterskill Falls area, which is quite narrow and winding. On the way home, we took what I thought was an easier drive back to the Thruway.
When we arrived, we pulled in the main entrance for Hunter Mountain. The parking lots seemed at capacity and there were police cars directing traffic. There was a large sign pointing to the right for “Tubing” and “Parking”, so we followed the arrow, but it took us past the Hunter parking lots into a neighborhood, so we turned around and took another road that we could see was heading towards the tubing hill.
We were able to park fairly close to the tubing hill. The parking lots were extremely muddy, which I guess is to be expected with a day with temps in the 40’s.
Check-in at the ticket window went smoothly, and the kids were given passes to attach to their jackets.
Our tubing session was 5-7pm, and we could see the line was quite long, so we tried to find some tubes so that the kids could get in line. There is a tubing return area, but there was only one tube there covered in mud. We decided to wait there, and some employees called out to us who were sitting in the tubing storage area, telling us we would have to wait until 5 for tubes. Eventually some tubes were returned, but the line took 15 minutes to get to the top, so the kids weren’t able to start tubing until about 5:15 anyway.
You can see how long the line was in this photo.
The kids got in some runs, and the tubes went pretty fast on the hill.
There is a small building where you can warm up, and there are restrooms, lockers, food, and seating. It was quite crowded, and much of the time, there was standing room only.
There is also a fire pit there, although it was so windy, it was hard to enjoy any heat from the fire.
The temperature dropped and the wind picked up, and the kids started getting cold, so after just over an hour, we decided to head out. It did seem like there were less people at the tubing hill around when we left, by 6:30pm, and the parking lots had cleared out.
About the Author: Marysa
Busy blogger and mom of two girls! We love traveling and the great outdoors, and are always looking for our next adventure!
This looks like a blast! I know my family would love it. Sadly it doesn’t snow often in Texas. We lived in Wyoming and we used to have fun in the snow. But I admit, I prefer the warmth!
Snow tubing!! That sounds like so much fun! Wish we could do this where we live but then again, I don’t really like living in the cold haha that’s why I live in the desert. But I’d be down for a snowy vacation because it sounds like yall had a blast
This is so awesome! I went snow tubing when I was a kid at night time, and I remember how fun it was! I am not sure my kids are into that though, maybe I can do this for a date night with the hubs though 🙂
Living in Florida keeps me away from all the snow stuff and I’m not someone who loves to be in the cold for long periods of time. BUT, I would do this!!! I love tubing of any kind.
Snow tubing sounds like a lot of fun! My children and grandchildren would love it. It’s too bad the wind prevented you from really enjoying the fire pit. I bet that would’ve been nice and cozy!
Kelly| Citytoast2southerntea
January 31, 2020 at 3:46 pm - Reply
Now this looks really cool. There is a place right near the NC mountains that is similiar to this kind of place. Really cool
This looks like so much fun! My kids would definitely enjoy doing this. I have never been to a place that actually specializes in this, how cool! I will have to check out if there is anything closer to us this Winter. Thanks for sharing!
FUN! We love going snow tubing and are actually looking forward to it when we go up to New Hampshire next month!
We went tubing this winter break but never knew Hunter had tubing too. I have fond memories of Hunter skiing when I first met my husband.
We’re from SC and seldom see the snow so this seems like such fun to me! I’d love to go to something like this.
This looks like a blast! I know my family would love it. Sadly it doesn’t snow often in Texas. We lived in Wyoming and we used to have fun in the snow. But I admit, I prefer the warmth!
Snow tubing!! That sounds like so much fun! Wish we could do this where we live but then again, I don’t really like living in the cold haha that’s why I live in the desert. But I’d be down for a snowy vacation because it sounds like yall had a blast
That looks like so much fun. I’ve been wanting to take my daughters out snow tubing soon. I know they usually go for school and always have a blast.
This is so awesome! I went snow tubing when I was a kid at night time, and I remember how fun it was! I am not sure my kids are into that though, maybe I can do this for a date night with the hubs though 🙂
For me the best part is the firepit! Ha! I love the snow, the cold and the outdoors but not speeding down a mountainside! Looks like you had a blast!
Oh my gosh my kids would love this! Especially my son, he’s the thrill seeker in the family.
This is awesome, I wish I could do this. But the virtual experience was super, thanks for sharing!
This looks like an absolute blast. My whole family would love it. I gotta try it!
We’ve never been tubing before, but I’m almost certain this is something my family will enjoy. I just don’t look forward to the waiting for a tube.
Wow! This looks like so much fun and exciting! My son and husband will totally love doing this. Thanks for sharing.
Snow tubing sounds like fun. great family adventure. I would love to try this snow tubing next winter.
Living in Florida keeps me away from all the snow stuff and I’m not someone who loves to be in the cold for long periods of time. BUT, I would do this!!! I love tubing of any kind.
This looks like an epic adventure for sure. I need to find some mountains and snow so I can try snow tubing
I want to experience this so much fun! Kids will definitely enjoy the whole day exploring the place and the activities.
I am not a fan of snow but this looks fun! I am sure you had a blast!
Snow tubing sounds like a lot of fun! My children and grandchildren would love it. It’s too bad the wind prevented you from really enjoying the fire pit. I bet that would’ve been nice and cozy!
Now this looks really cool. There is a place right near the NC mountains that is similiar to this kind of place. Really cool
That sounds like so much fun! We have an indoor snow tubing place close by. This inspired me to check it out!
This looks like so much fun. I think it’ll be great to take my kids tubing when they get a bit older.
This looks so fun! My oldest daughter will love this in a couple years!
What a joy it must be to live in an area where you truly get to experience winter – snow and all.
As a Florida girl, I have ever been snow tubing but this looks like a blast!
I haven’t been tubing in ages but really want to take my kids this year!
Wow! That was fun. I have never tried snow tubing but I guess it’s worth the wait and line. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience.
This looks so fun. I can’t wait until my kids are older to do something like this.
This looks like so much fun! My kids would definitely enjoy doing this. I have never been to a place that actually specializes in this, how cool! I will have to check out if there is anything closer to us this Winter. Thanks for sharing!