Last winter our family went snow tubing at the YMCA of the Rockies. That was great, but now in warming weather, we headed back to YMCA of the Rockies for Summer Tubing. It is all the fun without all the cold. Forget climbing into all your snow gear. Throw on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, grab your sun glasses and sunblock for a summer adventure normally reserved for winter.
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If You Can Sit, You Can Summer Tube
Three hundred feet of Astroturf like carpet called Snowflex creates the base for the summer tubing experience. Snowflex is used around the world for skiers and snowboarders who want to train year round. It provides the grip and slip of real snow through a fine mist of water that rises from underneath 6 carefully engineered layers “carpet”.
Super green with a low carbon foot print, this carpet of snow allows organizations to use land that might otherwise be unbuildable. Part of the YMCA of the Rockies Family Adventure Park this is an event for the whole family.
Double use for the YMCA of the Rockies, the summer hill tubing uses the same inner tubes with hard bottom “skins” as the winter snow tubing hill. Never a long waiting line the summer tubing hill has staggered reservation times on the hour.
No Dragging Your Tube Up the Hill
Remember sledding? A great ride down at lightening sped only to face the long walk back up the hill to do it again. No More!
A magic carpet conveyer belt carries you and your tube smoothly up the hill. You don’t even have to push the tube over the hill. You sit in your tube and a friendly YMCA staff member gives you a shove off the side of the hill. Now that is service!
Double Tubes Provide Safe Rides for Little Ones
Three year olds are delighted by the slide down the summer tubing hill with Mom or Dad. A lite mist sprays the body as you go down with lots of happy giggling. The short walk to the magic carpet is easy for little legs which delight in the moving ride up the hill too. Plus there is no struggling little ones in and out of snow clothes just grab you swimmy suit and go!!
Few Tips for Summer Tubing Hill
- Be sure to call for a reservation ahead of time.
- Wear sunblock.
- Bring lots of water.
- Wear a hat to keep the sun off and loose hair tied up.
- Sunglasses shield your eyes from the very, very light spray that mists up during the ride.
- There are pavilions with with picnic tables, restrooms and shade for anyone just watching.
Summer Tubing is Free
Summer tubing is free if you stay on the YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch. For a family of 4 this is much cheaper than paying for the tubing. Plus the lodging rooms come with breakfast. Bonus!! If you can’t get a reservation, you can visit as a day visitor. The prices for day visitors:
- 13 and older: $35 per person
- 6-12 years old: $25 per person
- 3-5 years old: $15 per person
*A full-day activity pass is included in this price.
If you are there for the day, there are so many awesome activities that come with the day pass you will wish you had stayed over night!
Don’t Just Watch
My first time on the summer tubing hill, I met a 60 plus grandma who came every time she had free time from her volunteer job on the YMCA campus. She loved it! There is no age limit, no weight limit and no skill required and yes you can bring your phone. The views are beautiful and the whole family can enjoy the activity together!
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