Forget Skiing, Here Are the Best Snow Tubing Places in Illinois

I may sound like an old grumpy man here but I hate winter.  The shoveling, the plowing, the shivering, and the bundling up all give me good reasons to move to a warmer climate.  However, for budgetary and familial reasons, I shall stay.  So, I may as well make the best of it.

Skiing is not my cup of tea.  It's embarrassing to have to start off on the "Bunny Hill" as a 45-year-old man.  And by the time I'm comfortable enough to move on to the next level, my knees hurt, I'm out of breath, and it's time to hit the lodge for a hot toddy.

Snow Tubing Is The Ultimate Thrill Ride

If you have age or limb limitations as described above, perhaps tubing is what you need to actually enjoy wintertime.

Snow tubing is super fun and can be done several different ways.  You can get on an innertube and slide down a hill (the higher the slope, the more the fun). Or you can get behind a snowmobile and get pulled across a cornfield.

What To Wear While Tubing

Tubing is no different than any other winter activity. You'll want to make sure you're dressed in waterproof, warm, and comfortable layers, including a hat, gloves, and boots. Jeans might seem like a good idea if you're going for a couple of runs after a 12-pack or so, but they'll quickly become cold and wet. Sweatpants are a no-go too. They might be comfy for lounging on the couch, but they're not ideal for snow tubing.

Safety While Tubing

Before you hit the slopes, there are a few things you need to know. The biggest thing is to make sure there are no trees or anything that you would Sonny Bono yourself on.

Proper positioning is key.  Many people sit straight up on their butts and hold the handles tight.  I suggest the head-first, belly-down approach.  This allows you to use your feet as rudders and if needed, brakes.

Plus, it ups the thrill of the experience quite a bit.

Snow Tubes Vs Sleds

While both have their pros and cons, I personally think snow tubes are a bit safer because they're wider and have more surface area, making them more stable. They've got a built in buffer incase you hit rocks or run over a stick. Plus, if you have a portable air compressor, it makes traveling way better than with sleds.

Where to Find Snow Tubing

• Snow Star in Andulusia, Illinois

"Experience the thrill of racing your friends and family down our snow-covered TUBING HILL, then hitch a ride on our state-of-the-art magic carpet lift to do it all again! It’s so much fun it’ll knock your mittens off — but don’t worry, our warming hut will keep you toasty."

• Villa Olivia in Barlett, Illinois

"2 hours unlimited riding. Fee includes two hours of snow tubing, use of the conveyor lift and a snow tube."

• Mt. Hoy Snow Tubing in Warrenville, Illinois

Take a thrilling 800-foot ride down the Mount Hoy tubing hill at Blackwell Forest Preserve.

The best way to find some good hills to tube on would be to ask your kids.  They've already been seeking out this type of experience since the walk home from school in the fall.