Forget skiing—go snow tubing this winter

If you’re active and love the outdoors, winter conjures images of snow-capped mountains and oodles of skiing and snowboarding. But have you considered snow tubing? It’s a sport often seen as something for kids to enjoy—but believe us, it's plenty fun for adults, too. As you zoom down by way of gravity, you simply hold onto the handles on the side of the tube and take in the incredible scenery. The higher and steeper the slope, the more of an adrenaline rush you’ll get.

You can find snow tubing courses at most ski resorts, but we've pulled together a few of our favorites, spread from Colorado to Scotland. Ahead, you’ll find our favorite places to take a snow tube for a spin this winter.

Located about 70 miles west of Denver, Fraser, CO, is a small town packing a big winter punch. Snow tubing is one of the most popular activity for families here because you can rent single or double tubes and take a ride up the slope on the Magic Carpet lift (a walk-on conveyor belt that takes you to the top of the hill). Perfect for the little ones who don’t want to ride alone, the double tubes are also great for couples or friends’ getaways. The terrain ranges from slow and easy to fast and wild. Book a stay at nearby White Horse Inn, a Travelers’ Choice Award-winning bed-and-breakfast, for easy access to the park and other winter attractions.

With the largest snow tubing facility on the East Coast, it’s no wonder this behemoth of a snow park nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Seven Devils, NC, gets all the props. Thirty lanes covering four areas with runs spanning 400 to 1,000 feet long guarantee that tubers of all skill levels will have a blast. When you’ve had your fill of tubing the slopes, try your hand at the park’s ziplines. The Best Western Mountain Lodge in nearby Banner Elk makes a great home base.

An hour north of Salt Lake City, Wasatch Parc in Eden, UT, has two curved snow tube lanes which almost guarantee you’ll never crave the straight line again. Expect amazing tubing fun with a Swiss twist thanks to bobsled turns, making the descent a true adventure. Even better, the two lanes are close enough for friends to ride down the steep slope side by side. Nearby, Snowberry Inn Bed & Breakfast is a cozy place to warm up after a long day on the powder.

A quick drive from the ski capital of Banff, Mt. Norquay offers unrivaled snow tubing opportunities with epic hills. In fact, it’s the largest snow tubing park in the province, spanning eight lanes of fun suitable for everyone ages four and older. When the day is done, warm up those fingers and toes next to the fire at Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa.

Great winter fun for everyone can be had in Grindelwald, where the Bodmi Arena offers beginners and veteran snow tubers alike a snowy playground. Snow tubes are available to rent on a specialized slope next to a magic carpet. Ride as long as your heart desires on the family-friendly slopes, where tickets include access to kids’ play zones at Grindelwald Ski Resort. The nearby Hotel Grindelwald makes the perfect home base.

It’s time to take your tubing to one of Scotland’s most famous mountains. Located in the heart of Cairngorms National Park, this tubing park is actually open in both autumn and winter, offering adrenaline-pumping courses on both warm-weather and snowy days. Visitors can take in a high-speed thrill with views over Loch Morlich and the Spey Valley. The course’s three lanes offer slopes suitable for everyone from the wee ones to older adrenaline seekers. When you’re ready to call it a day, retreat to the nearby Macdonald Aviemore Highland Hotel.