Best Snow Tubing Near Boston for Families

Easier than skiing and more thrilling than sledding, the best snow tubing is a wicked big deal here in Massachusetts! Snow tubing provide a low-stress, relatively low-cost family day set at a giggle-inducing pace. It also helps you earn major points with the kiddos. For the best snow tubing near Boston, kids (and adventurous parents) have their choice of several well-groomed trails to launch down on a soft-sided inner-tube. Go a little further and be rewarded with lengthy runs and breathtaking views. All of these tubing parks are located within 3 hours of Boston, and many are also open on winter holidays!

For other ways to hit the slopes, check out our favorite Boston-area sledding hills, a roundup of New England ski resorts that cater to families, and list of more ski resorts in the Northeast. Also, our Boston Winter Fun Guide can always be relied on to get kids off their devices and out in the fresh winter air.

Best Snow Tubing Near Boston

New England's largest tubing park is less than 1 hour from Boston. Photo courtesy of Nashoba Valley Ski Area

1. Ski Ward – Shrewsbury

With 12 lanes, 200 tubes, and 2 lifts, snow tubing at Ski Ward in Shrewsbury is a blast. For an extra thrill, one that kids especially like, go at night. 
Age/height requirements: 6 years and 42 inches tall

Best Snow Tubing in Massachusetts

2. Berkshire East – Charlemont

This 3-lane tubing park isn't huge, but the 500-foot runs are definitely a thrill. A magic carpet easily gets you up the hill, a major plus when pulling a tube. This mountain has a 1-person-per-tube policy, so prepare your kiddos in advance. And a visit to Berkshire East, which also features skiing and boarding in the wintertime, is supporting renewable energy. It's the only ski area in the world to generate 100% of its electricity from onsite renewable energy. 
​Age/height requirements: 42 inches tall

3. Ski Butternut – Great Barrington

Offering hundreds of snow tubes, 11 lanes, and a magic carpet lift to transport you to the top, this mountain is a full-service operation. Butternut guarantees 100% snow-making coverage, which means there's snow on the mountain even if it's not in your backyard. Kids must be able to ride in a tube on their own because only single tubes are available.
​Age/height requirements: Tubing is recommended for ages 5 and over

 
Head to Pittsfield for great snow tubing in Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Bousquetmountain.com

4. Bousquet Mountain – Pittsfield

Bousquet was the first ski area in the U.S. to offer night skiing thanks to a partnership with General Electric. Good for 1.5 hours, snow tubing tickets can be purchased ahead and reservations are highly recommended. There are up to 10 tubing lanes and 100 tubes available. Kiddos must be able to ride independently. 
Age/height requirements: 42 inches tall 

Best Snow Tubing Near Boston - New Hampshire

5. McIntyre Ski Area – Manchester, NH

This hill just an hour from Boston is serious about tubing. A conveyor carpet easily ferries tubers up to the top of the hill, where there are 8 tubing lanes and plenty of grooming machines for a smooth ride. While only one person can be in each tube, the tubes can be connected.
Age/height requirements: 5 years and 44 inches tall

6. Pats Peak – Henniker, NH

Tubing at Henniker is so popular that reservations are required to hit the hill, which is 85 feet wide and 600 feet long. Or, go at 5pm on Saturday for no-reservations POP Tubing, when there's music and lights, too. Riders here must be able to tube alone and ride on their stomachs.
Age/height requirements: 5 years and 44 inches tall

7. Loon Mountain – Lincoln, NH

Part of the reason this is one of our favorite family ski mountains in New England is its tubing park. A special feature here is a separate tot tubing area at the base of the "Little Sister" trail, where little ones can try snow tubing for the first time without worrying about big kids or teens crashing into them. Older kids will ride the chair lift up and slide down 1,000 feet of tubing tracks. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Age/height requirements: For big tubing hill: 8 years and 48 inches tall; tot tubing: ages 7 and under or weighing under 50 pounds (parental supervision required)

 
Conquer Cranmore Mountain's 10 lanes of lift-serviced snow tubing. Photo courtesy of Cranmore Mountain Resort

8. Cranmore Mountain Resort – North Conway, NH

Set in the White Mountains, this 170-acre ski resort offers a large snow tubing resort with 10 lanes of lift-serviced trails for families to zip down. The snow tubing resort is located between the main base lodge and the Artist Falls Lodge. The resort is also home to Mountain Adventure Park which features a mountain coaster, giant swing, and soaring eagle zip line.
Age/height requirements: Riders over 42 inches tall must ride solo; under 42 inches must ride with a parent or guardian.

8. Gunstock Mountain Resort – Gilford, NH

Just 90 minutes from Boston, this resort features two-hour tubing sessions. The magic carpet makes it easy to get to the top of the hill and the well-groomed lanes make for a speedy and fun ride back down. Only single rider tubes are available and reservations are highly recommended.
Age/height requirements: Riders over 42 inches tall must ride. Kids under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Originally published in January 2018

Updated December 2023