Best Snow Tubing near NYC for Families

When there's no snow to be found in NYC, or your favorite neighborhood sledding hills are worn down to dirt, you still can find perfect slopes for snow tubing near NYC. So bundle up the kids and hop in the car for a short drive because snow tubing is one of those fun winter activities that, unlike skiing, requires no skill or gear. Everything you need—a tube, a hill, and snow—is provided by the parks. Just dress warmly, and you're good to go.

Here are 10 ski resorts in upstate New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania that offer snow tubing. Most are less than a 2-hour drive from Midtown Manhattan. They typically open in late December or early January, depending on the temperature, so be sure to click through to the listing to read about the day's conditions. If you're looking for more than a day trip, we've found 15 destination-worthy ski resorts for your next vacation and have plenty more spots to seek out fresh powder in our Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Sports Guide.

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Important tips: Many of these resorts offering snow tubing near NYC have timed-entry sessions that start on the hour or half-hour, meaning you can’t just drop in, especially on weekends. Some require reservations. There are often height, weight, and age restrictions. Call ahead to confirm details.

Keep in mind that, like all snow sports, there are safety risks. Most places require participants to sign a waiver. Waterproof clothing, sunglasses or goggles, and helmets are recommended.

RELATED: 10 Family-Friendly Ski Areas near NYC for Winter Getaways

Campgaw Mountain isn't the most towering hill, but it is the closest spot for snow tubing near NYC.

Where To Go Snow Tubing in New Jersey

1. Campgaw Mountain – Mahwah

About 45 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Open weekdays, weekends, and holidays; times vary. Visit the website for a complete schedule.
This small resort offers 10 tubing runs with two lifts so kids can ride their tubes back up the hill instead of walking. Reserving your session online is recommended. Because it's less than an hour from NYC, you might even be able to squeeze in an after-school visit.

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Snow tubing is a family affair at Mountain Creek, one of the largest resorts offering snow tubing near NYC.

2. Mountain Creek – Vernon

About 1 hour, 15 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
See the website for current hours.
Mountain Creek is a great location for snow tubing fun. Tubers must be at least 42 inches tall to ride alone. Those at least 36 inches tall can ride in a tandem tube or chain link with an adult. Tube sharing isn't allowed, so no laps for little ones either. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Where To Go Snow Tubing in New York

3. Holiday Mountain Ski Area – Monticello

About 1 hour, 30 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Hours vary. Visit the website for the complete schedule.
This tiny Catskills ski resort offers one lane of snow tubing. Children must be at least 44 inches tall, and there are multiple sessions offered, depending on whether you visit on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Visitors must call to book and buy tickets ahead of time.

4. Mount Peter – Warwick

About 1 hour, 30 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Open Tuesdays through Sundays. Visit the website for a complete schedule.
Enjoy a 600-foot ride down and a conveyor ride back to the top. Kids must be at least 42 inches tall, and those younger than 12 must be accompanied on the hill by an adult. For the under-42-inch set, there is a Little Tikes tubing hill, with a smaller slope plus an area for kids to play in the powder. Tandem tubing is allowed for guests 36-48 inches tall with an adult on the big hill. Online reservations are required.

5. Hunter Mountain – Hunter

About 2 hours by car from Midtown Manhattan
Open Fridays-Sundays; visit the website for a complete schedule.
Tubers can book either a single- or double-sized tube for a 2-hour session, depending on height and number of people. Children under 36 inches are not allowed. Take note: Tickets are refundable until 48 hours before your intended arrival date.

RELATED: Hunter Mountain with Kids: Best Things To Do and See on a Catskills Getaway

Catch some speed at Jack Frost's snow tubing runs.

Where To Go Snow Tubing in Pennsylvania

6. Jack Frost/Big Boulder – Blakeslee

About 2 hours by car from Midtown Manhattan
Visit the website for current hours.
Jack Frost/Big Boulder is, in fact, two resorts in one—and snow tubing is available at both. There are six lanes at Jack Frost, or “chutes,” as it calls them, and two tows to pull tubers back up the hill. Big Boulder has 20 chutes and two 600-foot conveyor carpets. It features glow lights and new colorful tubes. Snow tubers must be at least 42 inches tall. Tubing is available on weekends only at Jack Frost, while Big Boulder has select weekdays available. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.

7. Shawnee Mountain – Shawnee on Delaware

About 1 hour, 30 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Hours vary; visit the website for the complete schedule.
The Snowtubing Park at Shawnee—a family favorite for big resort fun in a small setting—offers multiple snow tubing chutes and two magic carpets to pull you back up, which can be enjoyed in 1 1/2-hour sessions. There are limited parent-child tandem tubes for kids under 46 inches. Children must be 4 years or older to tube. Ski boots aren’t allowed, so pack another pair of shoes. Tubing tickets must be purchased online in advance.

RELATED: The Best Poconos Resorts for a Family Vacation

The galactic snow tubing at Camelback offers an LED light show come nightfall.

8. Camelback Mountain Resort – Tannersville

About 1 hour, 40 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Visit the website for the complete schedule.
This popular resort, which we've visited in the past, includes a water park and hosts one of the largest snow tubing parks in the country. It has the longest hours of any spot on our list. There are 42 lanes here, with galactic snow tubing keeping the park open well after dark—until 10pm on weekends and during the holiday break—filling the sky with an LED light show nightly. Consider heading here on a Sunday morning when many visitors pack up for the drive home. Children must be 44 inches tall to tube alone and 33 inches to go with an adult. Two-hour sessions can be reserved online and are highly recommended for tubing. There's a Waffle Cabin for hillside snacks, plus the Basecamp Kitchen for food and drinks.

RELATED: Snow Games and Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids Beyond Sledding

Montage Mountain features the fastest snow tubing lanes in Pennsylvania.

9. Montage Mountain – Scranton

About 2 hours, 15 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Visit the website for the complete schedule.
Formerly known as Snö Mountain, Pennsylvania's Montage Mountain offers nicely groomed chutes with dips and peaks for extra (fast) fun. A magic carpet helps you back up the hill. Each session runs for 2-4 hours. Kids starting at 32 inches tall can check out Kiddie Tubing before graduating to the larger tubing area once they hit 42 inches. LED lighting means the tubing fun extends well into the evening, too. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time.

10. Roundtop Mountain Resort – Lewisberry

About 3 hours, 30 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Hours vary. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. Visit the website for the complete schedule.
Roundtop Mountain features 10 tubing chutes, a magic carpet lift, and a Kiddie Tubing area. Guests must be 42 inches tall to slide on the regular lanes. The resort also has delicious dining options, including an outdoor fire pit seating area. Online reservations are required. On-site tickets are not available.

This article, originally published in January 2010, is updated annually.

Photos courtesy of the mountains/resorts