Get ready to glide down snowy winter hills with your family at these great Seattle-area sledding and snow tubing spots
After some recent epic snowfall, we’re guessing Seattle families can count on the snow in the mountains all winter long, whether they come for a quick day visit or stay to rent a winter cabin. If you didn’t get enough snow play recently, there are more than a few sweet spots near Seattle where you can take your kids snow tubing and sledding. From groomed tubing runs and gently sloping sledding hills to snow play areas, here’s where Seattle families can continue getting in on one of winter’s best pastimes.
1. Summit Tubing Park at The Summit at Snoqualmie
The Summit Tubing Center is snow tubing at its picture-perfect best. It's where Seattle families can find over 20 individual lanes (during peak season) of groomed snow on gently sloped hills the length of a football field. Commercial-grade tubes and a conveyor belt tow make your ascent back to the top effortless. This year, your timed tubing ticket for this winter wonderland of fun is good for a one-hour, 45-minute session, which is plenty of time to frolic and tire the kids out. Tickets are being released slowly this year and will sell out fast, so get yours while you can.
Insider Tip: Tickets must be purchased online; no walk-ups are allowed. Everyone in your tubing group will need a signed Tubing Liability Release, which must be completed electronically during ticket checkout.
Dates: Open through mid-March
Cost: $45/adults, $18/children, 44" or shorter (must be purchased with adult ticket)
Summit Tubing Park (S.E. corner of the Summit Central main parking lot)
1001 Route 906
Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Online: summitatsnoqualmie.com
2. Hyak Sno-Park
When it comes to nearby snow parks, Hyak tops the list of where to sled near Seattle. With glorious, groomed sledding hills and a drive that kids can totally handle, it's easy to see why families spend hours playing here whenever they get the chance. The sledding hill is open for the 2022-23 season and will be groomed Wednesdays through Mondays, twice on weekends. Just remember your passes. You'll need a Sno-Park day permit, as well as your Discover Pass to get into the park, but you can stay as long as you want once you're there. Be sure to bring your own everything, too (food, water, sleds, tubes) because potties are the only amenities offered here.
Insider Tip: If Hyak is a bit too crowded, consider nearby alternatives off I-90 like Gold Creek Sno-Park, Crystal Springs, or even Katchess, if you're willing to branch out beyond sledding (building snow people can be just as much fun). Planning your snow play during the week is another great way to avoid the crowds.
Good to Know: No sled? No problem. You can rent one from the REI Snoqualmie Rentals Outpost on the way up to Hyak. Reserve your gear online in advance or simply walk-up to rent sleds or snowshoes.
Dates: Currently open
Cost: $25/one-day permit, $12/one-day Discovery Pass
Hyak Sno-Park
Exit 54 off I-90
Online: parks.state.wa.us
Related: Peak Season: Your Ultimate Guide to Seattle-Area Ski Schools
3. Lt. Michael Adams Tubing Park & Golf Course Sledding
The winter wonderland of Leavenworth does not disappoint when it comes to snow play or snow tubing in Seattle. Families can keep it formal with the tubing runs at the Lt. Michael Adams Tubing Park, locally known as the Leavenworth Tubing Hill, or crush that casual vibe sledding. With your tubing ticket, you'll get six sweet runs on the 100-foot-long tubing hill (tubes provided), complete with a tow-rope ride to the top. Remember to save time in line and bring your Tubing Waiver with you. Sledding at the golf course is pretty much BYO. so grab your sled (those with metal runners are not allowed) and spend the day gliding over the hills. The best part of either day? Grabbing hot cocoa and a snack to-go from the Ski Hill Lodge. This is one of the hottest tickets in town, and tickets have been selling out by 3:30 p.m. After 3 p.m. call 509-548-5477 to see about availability. Take note, unlike other tubing hills, this one is in-person ticket purchasing only.
Insider tip: The tubing hill is recommended for kids ages 8 and up, but those as young as 4 can still have fun. They just need to be able to ride safely and independently, and follow verbal and/or written instructions.
Dates & Times: Opens Dec. 10; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $30
10701 Ski Hill Dr.
Leavenworth, WA
Online: skileavenworth.com
4. Stevens Pass Nordic Center
Enjoy the beauty of Lower Mill Valley when you bring the kids to the groomed Seattle area sledding hill at the Stevens Pass Nordic Center (about 5 miles east of Stevens Pass). Bring your own sleds or tubes and plan to stay as long as your little snow bunnies will last before they need to warm up at the nearby Cascade Depot. There's also a snow play area here, so feel free to throw snowballs and build snowpeople when the kids need a change of pace.
Dates & Times: Opens Dec. 23; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
93001 N.E. Stevens Pass US Hwy. 2
Leavenworth, WA
Online: stevenspass.com
Related: 11 Wintry Destinations That Are Easy for Seattle Families
5. Suncadia Resort, Sledding on the Hill
If you want to couple a winter weekend getaway with your snow play, Suncadia Resort is the place to do it. Not only can visitors enjoy the tubing hill, but they can also work on their sweet skating moves at the picturesque ice skating rink on the property (you'll need a reservation for both). They've also got a whole universe of adventure with everyone in mind, including axe throwing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile tours that don't require a stay. The best part? This snow-scape play place is less than two hours from Seattle.
Dates: Through Jan. 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $10/one-hour tube rental
3600 Suncadia Trail
Cle Elum, WA
Online: destinationhotels.com
Related: Plan a Snow-Filled Weekend Escape at Suncadia
6. White Pass Tubing Hill
Looking to make your tubing day totally epic? Head out of town to White Pass. No need to make a reservation. This spot is first-come, first-served, and the hour-and-a-half sessions will give you plenty of time to wear the kids out snow tubing on the hill. While you can BYO tube, no sleds or toboggans (think: wood, plastic, or metal) are allowed. This is a weekend-only activity after Jan. 1, so make the most of it with an overnight stay and maybe a few runs on the slopes or a twilight snowshoe tour before you head back to Seattle.
Insider tip: Looking for an all-out snow festival? Think ahead and plan to attend the White Pass Winter Carnival on March 4, 2023. We're talking about a huge snow castle for kids to tube on, snow sculptures, live music, and fireworks that will light up the night.
Dates & Times: Daily, Dec. 17-Jan. 1, Fri.-Sun after Jan. 1; 1-2:30 p.m. & 2:30-4 p.m.
Cost: $15/session (9 & up); $10/session (8 & under); $5 for tube rental
White Pass Ski Area
48935 US Hwy. 12
Naches, WA
Online: skiwhitepass.com/tubing-hill
7. Hurricane Ridge Tube Run
Located just 17 miles from Port Angeles in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge boasts a small skiing and snowboarding area plus a fun walk-up tubing run and views that are hard to beat. If you've got kids ages 8 and under, you'll want to BYO sled to the Small Children's Snow Play Area right next to the visitor's center to make the most of your snow day. Riders make their way down the hill on tubes provided by Hurricane Ridge at no extra charge. The runs operate on a first-come, first-served basis—if there's room, you can start your run. If the hill is at capacity, you will be given a time to return. Be sure to check weather and road conditions online or by phone at 360-565-3131 before you head up. And fill out the liability form before you arrive. The National Park charges an entrance fee of $30 per car, or you can purchase a yearly pass for $55. Have a fourth grader? Get into the national park for free.
Insider Tip: The road generally opens to uphill traffic at 9 a.m. and closes to uphill traffic at 4 p.m. All cars must be down the hill by 5 p.m.
Dates & Times: Sat.-Mon. through March; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $20/10 runs
Hurricane Ridge Visitor's Center
3002 Mount Angeles Rd.
Port Angeles, WA
Online: hurricaneridge.com
8. Paradise Visitor's Center on Mt. Rainier
Editor's Note: This location is closed for the 2022-23 season
If you're looking for a snowy paradise for Seattle sledding, look no further than the snowplay area at the Paradise Visitor's Center on Mt. Rainier. The area opens based on snowfall, and families can usually expect to enjoy the mountain snow from mid-December through mid-March. This winter wonderland is a DIY-ers delight as it's ok to bring your own tubes and sleds (only soft/flexible sleds and saucers are allowed; no hard runner sleds or true toboggans) for hours of unlimited play. Our favorite part? All fourth graders plus their families can get their free park pass by going to the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions. If you don't have a fourth grader, you'll need a park pass to visit.
Insider tip: All cars are required to carry chains in winter while in the park. Be sure to check the status of road and avalanche conditions before leaving home.
Mount Rainier National Park
Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise
Paradise Rd. E.
Paradise, WA
Online: nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit
If it snows in Seattle…There’s nothing quite like a full day of snow-bound play to make all the comforts of home and family so delightful. If we get snow in the city, be sure to try these local golf courses available for snow play: Jackson Park, Jefferson Park, Interbay, and West Seattle.
